Book description
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates-brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in one another. A shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death-experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Vicious as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
If you're detecting a theme, it's because Victoria Schwab quickly became a favorite author as I read everything I could get my hands on that bore her name.
This is one of my all-time favorite books.
A little bit dark academia, a little bit supervillain, it covers dual POVs with two friends in college developing superpowers after near-death experiences and grappling with the after-effects well into their adulthood.
Victor is a lovable anti-hero, and Eli’s flaws are so believable they gave me chills.
From Jessica's list on The best superhero books that you won’t want to put down.
If you love Vicious...
A Tale for the Shadows
A Foreword Review Indies Award Finalist and Booklife Editor’s Pick.
Love lingers. Justice waits. Death is only the beginning. In a pediatric oncology ward, sixteen-year-old Finn is visited by a mysterious Storyteller who wants to relieve some of his pain and fear of dying. The story she tells? Senka is…
Want books like Vicious?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 73 books like Vicious.
Share your top 3 reads of 2026!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
186
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Vicious, you might also like...
The Serpent and the Swan
Cygna is the king’s fairy get, born with a swan wing in place of an arm. Something monstrous to hide away. But when a monster from the Underworld appears, they’re all too happy to sacrifice her life for theirs. The kingdom is withering into a wasteland, and the Lindworm is…
Beyond the Cemetery Gate
"A haunting YA mystery. Touching on everything from police ineptitude and community solidarity to the endless frustration of being patronized as a young person, this paranormal thriller confidently combines timely and relatable themes within a page-turning storyline." - Self-Publishing Review
"Biel's writing is fast-paced and sharp!" - author Christy Wopat
…
