48 pages • 1-hour read
Vicious
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Romance depends on the “happily ever after”—or the sense that the love interests’ relationship is stable and capable of overcoming obstacles. Did you find Vicious and Emilia’s “happily ever after” credible? Why or why not?
2. Discuss when you were or were not rooting for Emilia and Vicious to get together. What made you change or mind? What made your position remain fixed?
3. Compare this book to another title by L. J. Shen (such as Beautiful Graves) or another dark or bully romance. What features of Vicious do you see as being specific to this text, and what do you see as being part of the genre or the author’s style?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Do you think you could ever forgive someone who bullied you? What would it take for them to earn your forgiveness?
2. Do you agree with Emilia’s parents that wealth is admirable or with Emilia that wealth leads to moral corruption?
3. What do you think about Emilia’s decision to move to Los Angeles at the end of the book? Do you think it is worth making a career sacrifice for interpersonal gain?
4. Does the novel’s presentation of high school share any similarities with your own understanding of or experiences in high school?
5. Do you have any relationships that have lasted from adolescence into adulthood? How have those relationships changed over time?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. Does the book praise or criticize extreme wealth? Explore what details in the text relate to your understanding of real-world wealth inequality.
2. Discuss how the novel contrasts New York and Los Angeles. Does this portrayal draw on or perpetuate stereotypes about these cities? What communities or experiences are left out of these depictions of each city?
3. What does the novel say about bullying in schools? Does it treat the problem seriously? Why or why not?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. How did the nonlinear timeline of the novel affect your understanding of Vicious and Emilia?
2. At what point did you feel that Vicious had finally begun to atone for his past? Compare your answer with that of other readers and analyze how this influences your understanding of Vicious’s redemption arc.
3. Discuss how the setting of Todos Santos affects the novel even when the characters are physically elsewhere.
4. Emilia frequently discusses cherry blossoms and their symbolism regarding how beauty can be brief. Analyze how this symbol applies to different characters’ narrative arcs.
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. If you adapted this book into a TV show, how would you structure it? Think about how you would include other characters and their romances in the series (if you have read any of the other installments), how you would navigate the nonlinear timeline, and what other tropes of teen soaps you would include.
2. Emilia talks about liking different musical groups. Using her references as a guiding point, make a playlist that you feel fits the tone of the novel.
Unlock all 48 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs