Why Is 'Vicious' Considered A Dark Superhero Novel?

2025-06-25 15:00:19 354

3 Answers

Gracie
Gracie
2025-06-26 11:22:15
'Vicious' redefines the superhero genre by stripping away all pretense of nobility. What fascinates me is how V.E. Schwab constructs this world where extraordinary abilities amplify human flaws rather than inspire heroism. The story begins with two antiheroes whose friendship disintegrates into a decade-long feud fueled by mutual destruction. Victor's cold, methodical nature contrasts with Eli's fanatical self-righteousness, yet neither is redeemable. Their powers aren't glamorous—Victor feels no pain, which sounds useful until you realize it mirrors his emotional numbness. Eli heals instantly, but this immortality feeds his god complex.

The supporting characters deepen the darkness. Sydney, a child who can resurrect the dead, becomes a pawn in their war. Her ability comes with horrific consequences, like her first resurrection resulting in a monstrous version of her sister. Mitch, Victor's ally, has enhanced strength but uses it primarily for violent escapes. Even the setting feels oppressive, with most scenes occurring at night or in bleak environments. The novel’s structure jumps between past and present, showing how each character’s choices inevitably lead to ruin. It’s a masterclass in moral ambiguity, where the ‘super’ in superhero only magnifies the worst traits.

Unlike typical comics where powers lead to saving lives, here they enable destruction. The climax isn’t about defeating evil—it’s about two broken men refusing to let go of their hatred. The absence of traditional heroism makes 'Vicious' one of the darkest takes on superpowers I’ve ever read.
Liam
Liam
2025-06-27 00:41:46
What makes 'Vicious' so compelling is its refusal to romanticize power. I adore how it dissects the psychology behind becoming monstrous. Victor and Eli aren’t villains by accident; they choose their paths deliberately. Victor’s revenge-driven arc shows how pain can be weaponized, while Eli’s descent into zealotry mirrors real-world extremism. Their abilities aren’t gifts—they’re curses that isolate them. Sydney’s resurrection power, for instance, forces her to confront death constantly, stripping away childhood innocence.

The novel’s darkness also lies in its pacing. Flashbacks reveal how small choices snowball into catastrophe. The fight scenes aren’t glamorized; they’re messy, desperate, and often end with psychological scars. Even the ‘heroes’ are morally bankrupt—Serena, an EO with mind control, manipulates an entire city into adoring her. The worldbuilding reinforces this tone; EOs (ExtraOrdinaries) are hunted, creating a paranoid underground society. There’s no shiny spandex or catchy slogans, just people using powers to survive or dominate. It’s a raw, unflinching look at how power corrupts absolutely.
Logan
Logan
2025-07-01 23:43:58
I've read 'Vicious' multiple times, and what makes it stand out as a dark superhero novel is how it flips the traditional hero-villain dynamic. Victor Vale and Eli Card started as brilliant college roommates, but their obsession with gaining supernatural abilities through near-death experiences turns them into something far from heroic. Victor becomes calculating and vengeful, while Eli justifies his murders as divine mission. The novel doesn't shy away from brutality—characters manipulate, betray, and kill without remorse. The powers themselves are unsettling, like Victor's pain immunity making him detached from humanity. The moral grayness is relentless; there's no clear 'good' side, just people corrupted by power. It's a gripping exploration of how far genius can fall when fueled by ego and trauma.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Vicious Revenge
Vicious Revenge
In a world where strength dictates survival, Raenerys was born weak—an insult to her bloodline, a disgrace to her ruthless pack. Overshadowed by her sister, Sera, the Southern Alpha’s fierce and untouchable heir, Raenerys learned early that she would never be more than an afterthought. A burden. A fragile flower destined to wither in the shadow of wolves. But even a weak wolf can dream. When she is forced into an arranged marriage with Nevil, the cold and powerful Alpha of the North—the only man she has ever secretly loved—Raenerys dares to hope. That hope is shattered. Betrayed in the most unforgivable way, she watches her sister take what was meant to be hers. Humiliated, discarded, and heartbroken beyond repair, Raenerys does what no one expects. She runs. And this time, she does not look back. Fleeing into the brutal, lawless West, she sheds her name, her past, and the weakness that once defined her. The girl they called fragile dies in the wild. The monster that rises in her place does not beg, does not break—she burns. With blood on her hands and vengeance in her heart, Raenerys carves a path of destruction, crushing those who once mocked her, razing enemy packs to the ground, and building her own empire from the ashes. They call her the Vicious Conqueror. But power comes at a price. As the past claws its way back, old enemies and former lovers return—some to kill her, others to claim what they once threw away. Now, the question is no longer whether she is strong enough to survive. It is whether she will become the very beast they once feared. A queen of vengeance. A ruler of ruin. A storm of wrath that will either swallow the world… or save it.
10
89 Chapters
Vicious Attraction
Vicious Attraction
“It's time baby, come home now. You have wandered for too long. “He spoke in a calm tone as if he was coaxing a small kid to give up on her bad habit. My fingers tightly gripped each side of my dress and tears welled up in my eyes. I whipped my head at Adan for protection but my heart stuttered when I witness the look of betrayal on his face. “Please let me explain. “I pleaded in my mind. But he wasn’t looking at me. “What if I don’t let you take her then?” This time Adan spoke and a ray of hope sparkled in my heart. He snickered. “I can see my wife has thoroughly pleased you. Trust me, I don’t want any bloodshed. Give my wife back and I will leave without wagging war.”
10
58 Chapters
Vicious Submissive
Vicious Submissive
Cyrus is on the run. Chased by the murderers of his parents and pack, he can't afford to stop. Not after finally escaping the torture. He's learned from his mistake at his last stop and made a promise to himself to keep to his schedule. Never staying too long. Never making friends. That is until he reaches the neutral territory of Peace Valley. He and his wolf have been drawn there and he can't bring himself to leave before the beginning of the school year. Against his usual cautious judgement, he registers as a rogue for his senior year on . Maybe The Mother is finally allowing his luck to change. Leo is the heir to the Black Sun Pack with his best friend, Josh as his Beta there's only one thing missing, his mate. He could care less who they are, he just wants them near. He's already made plans to search for his mate after graduation. Maybe he's made his plans in vain. Senior year May be more complicated then originally planned.
10
17 Chapters
A Vicious Substitute Bride
A Vicious Substitute Bride
After years of being together, Joan was cheated on by boyfriend with her step sister because she's the love of your parents and the inheritor of family business. Worse, she forced to marry a bankrupt billionaire's son, in her stepsister's place. In desperate need of a big sum of money to pay her medical bills for a sickness which no one knew about, she agreed. But nobody knows that the ruthless billionaire's son whom everyone despises has his own business and his own empire. Her now ex-boyfriend regrets it and wants her back? Never. Her family all beg for her forgiveness so the family business can be saved? She is ready to show the how RUTHLESS she can be.
Not enough ratings
4 Chapters
Why Mr CEO, Why Me
Why Mr CEO, Why Me
She came to Australia from India to achieve her dreams, but an innocent visit to the notorious kings street in Sydney changed her life. From an international exchange student/intern (in a small local company) to Madam of Chen's family, one of the most powerful families in the world, her life took a 180-degree turn. She couldn’t believe how her fate got twisted this way with the most dangerous and noble man, who until now was resistant to the women. The key thing was that she was not very keen to the change her life like this. Even when she was rotten spoiled by him, she was still not ready to accept her identity as the wife of this ridiculously man.
9.7
62 Chapters
Her Vicious Romeo
Her Vicious Romeo
As much as Romeo is a bad guy, he doesn't joke with his studies. He went to class, after a little drama and talking back at the lecturer he left the class grumpily with his friends. Juliet comes back from Singapore with her parents, she fell in love with him a t first sight though he acted grumpily towards her. Fortunately, she attends the same college with him, though she's a nice girl. She has a rival, Sasha who thinks she'll snatch Romeo from her. Just as Romeo developed feelings for her, another guy tries to get Juliet for himself. Lamar tries to kill Romeo but he isn't Lucky, unknown to him Romeo's sister is his mate but doesn't know her identity.
10
38 Chapters

Related Questions

Can I Buy That Prince Is A Girl: The VIcious King'S Captive Mate?

3 Answers2025-10-16 04:31:52
I got curious about this one the moment I saw the title, so I poked around and can tell you how I’d go about buying 'That Prince is a Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Mate'. First off, check the big online stores—Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and the ebook stores like Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books. If an official English release exists, those places usually carry it in either print or digital form. Searching the title exactly, plus terms like “official English release,” “volume,” or “ISBN” tends to surface publisher pages or retailer listings. If a volume number is attached, that helps narrow things down a lot. If you don’t find an official English edition, try tracking the original-language edition (Korean, Japanese, or Chinese depending on the work). Look up the original publisher or author’s page; some series are licensed later and will show up as preorders. For fan translations or scanlations, I’d avoid supporting shady uploads and instead follow the English licensor or official scanlation teams that transition to paying models: sometimes a series moves to platforms like Tapas, Lezhin, Tappytoon, or Webnovel when it’s officially licensed. If you’re after a physical copy and it’s rare, secondhand marketplaces like eBay, Mercari, or AbeBooks can be gold—just watch condition and shipping costs. Personally, I like to add it to a wishlist or set an alert on a price-tracking site so I’m notified if a paperback pops up or a digital release goes on sale. Libraries and interlibrary loan are underrated too—if you want to sample before buying, ask your local library to purchase or put in an acquisition request. I’m excited whenever I can actually hold a copy of a quirky title like 'That Prince is a Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Mate', so I’d probably end up ordering the nicest-looking edition I could find and planning a cozy readathon around it.

Who Wrote That Prince Is A Girl: The VIcious King'S Captive Mate?

3 Answers2025-10-16 17:01:41
I still get a little giddy thinking about how delightfully twisted 'That Prince is a Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Mate' is — and yes, it was written by Qian Shan Cha Ke. I fell into this one because the premise scratched that exact itch for gender-bending royal drama with a dose of dark court intrigue. Qian Shan Cha Ke's voice leans into emotional beats while keeping the plot brisk: the captive-turned-companion setup, the slow-burn understanding between mismatched figures, and the way political danger constantly hums in the background all feel purposefully arranged rather than random. What hooked me most was the characterization. The author balances vulnerability and cunning, especially in the lead who has to navigate expectations while hiding truths. The prose (in translation) carries a slightly lyrical quality that suits palace scenes, but it doesn’t bog down in purple language — action and dialogue push the story forward. There are also fun side characters who break tension in clever ways, and Qian Shan Cha Ke sprinkles cultural details and court etiquette that make the setting feel lived-in. If you’re into layered romance with stakes beyond just two people falling in love, give it a try. The pacing rewards patience, and the author’s knack for small emotional moments is what stuck with me long after I finished it.

Is That Prince Is A Girl: The VIcious King'S Captive Mate Available?

3 Answers2025-10-16 06:27:18
Late-night curiosity led me down a rabbit hole and I ended up tracking 'Is That Prince is a Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Mate' across a bunch of corners on the internet. From what I’ve gathered, the title is floating around mostly in fan-translated form — scanlations and web-novel translations pop up on various reader hubs and independent translator blogs. If you’re hunting chapter-by-chapter updates, the community threads and dedicated translator accounts on social platforms tend to be the fastest route; they link to the newest chapters and sometimes host discussion threads that point to alternate titles or romanizations the series uses. That said, I haven’t seen a widespread official English release or a major licensed publisher putting out print or fully localized digital volumes for this exact title yet. That usually means you’ll find the most complete reading experience through unofficial translations for now, but keep an eye on the usual official platforms — once something picks up traction, publishers often snap up rights and release cleaned-up, paid editions. I personally try to follow both the scanlation groups (so I don’t miss story beats) and the official channels (so I can support the creators if a license happens). It’s a fun, dramatic romp and I’d love to see it get an official release someday; until then, the community translations are doing the heavy lifting and are worth checking out if you don’t mind unofficial scans or translations.

How Does The Vicious Novel Compare To The Manga?

5 Answers2025-04-23 03:14:06
The vicious novel and its manga adaptation are like two sides of the same coin, each offering a unique experience. The novel dives deep into the psychological turmoil of the characters, giving readers a raw, unfiltered look at their inner struggles. The prose is dense, almost suffocating, which makes the emotional impact hit harder. On the other hand, the manga uses visual storytelling to amplify the tension. The artist’s use of shadows and stark contrasts brings a visceral quality to the narrative that words alone can’t capture. While the novel allows for a slower, more introspective journey, the manga’s pacing is quicker, relying on panel transitions to build suspense. The manga also adds subtle visual cues that hint at underlying themes, which might be missed in the text. Both versions are compelling, but they cater to different preferences—those who enjoy delving into the psyche might prefer the novel, while fans of visual drama might lean towards the manga.

What Powers Do The Characters Have In 'Vicious'?

2 Answers2025-07-01 11:44:43
The characters in 'Vicious' have some of the most intriguing and morally complex superpowers I've come across in fiction. Victor Vale and Eli Card, the two main characters, gain their abilities through near-death experiences, which sets the tone for the entire story. Victor becomes capable of controlling pain—both his own and others'. He can numb himself to injuries that would cripple a normal person or inflict agony on his enemies with just a touch. Eli, on the other hand, develops a form of regeneration that makes him nearly unkillable, but it comes with a dark twist: he heals only when he kills others. The author brilliantly uses these powers to explore themes of obsession and vengeance. Other characters have equally fascinating abilities. Sydney, a young girl, can bring the dead back to life, though the resurrected retain their fatal injuries and are bound to her will. Mitch can hack into any electronic system effortlessly, making him a technological genius. Serena has the power to compel absolute obedience with her voice, a ability that’s as terrifying as it is useful. These powers aren’t just flashy gimmicks; they deeply affect the characters’ psyches and relationships. The way the novel examines the cost of these abilities—both physically and morally—is what makes 'Vicious' stand out in the crowded superhero genre.

Where Can I Buy 'Vicious' By V.E. Schwab?

3 Answers2025-07-01 04:40:48
I grabbed my copy of 'Vicious' from a local bookstore last month, and it was totally worth the trip. If you prefer physical stores, chains like Barnes & Noble usually carry it, or you can check indie shops—they often have cooler editions anyway. Online, Amazon has both paperback and Kindle versions ready to ship instantly. For digital readers, platforms like Apple Books or Google Play Books offer e-books you can download in seconds. If you’re budget-conscious, used book sites like ThriftBooks or AbeBooks often have cheap secondhand copies. Libraries might also have it if you just want to borrow first. Pro tip: Some stores even host signed copies if you hunt around!

Does 'That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King'S Slave Mate' Have A Happy Ending?

5 Answers2025-06-13 09:42:32
From what I've gathered, 'That Prince Is a Girl: The Vicious King's Slave Mate' does indeed wrap up with a satisfying, happy ending. The protagonist, initially trapped in a brutal situation, gradually gains agency and respect through sheer resilience and cunning. The vicious king's transformation from tyrant to devoted partner is slow but believable, fueled by genuine emotional growth rather than forced plot twists. Their bond evolves into mutual trust and love, culminating in a triumphant resolution where both characters claim their freedom and happiness. The supporting cast also gets their due—allies are rewarded, antagonists face poetic justice, and lingering conflicts are resolved without feeling rushed. The final chapters deliver emotional payoffs for key relationships, balancing romance with action. While the journey is dark at times, the ending shines with hope, making it a rewarding read for fans of redemption arcs and power reversals.

How Many Chapters Are In 'That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King'S Slave Mate'?

5 Answers2025-06-13 04:44:43
I recently finished reading 'That Prince Is a Girl: The Vicious King's Slave Mate', and the chapter count really surprised me. The novel has a total of 315 chapters, which is quite lengthy but absolutely worth it. The story unfolds at a perfect pace, balancing intense action, deep character development, and intricate plot twists. Each chapter feels essential, whether it’s advancing the romance between the leads or diving into the political intrigue of the kingdom. The later chapters especially ramp up the stakes, with betrayals, battles, and emotional confrontations that keep you hooked. Some readers might find the number daunting, but the way the author structures the arcs makes it easy to binge. The final chapters tie everything together beautifully, leaving no loose ends. If you love slow-burn romance with a dark, power-driven setting, this novel’s length is a blessing.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status