Villains Books in Order: Vicious, Vengeful and Victorious

By Ahaqir Ishaq

The Villains books by V. E. Schwab should be read in this order: Vicious, Vengeful, and Victorious. The main series is a completed trilogy, with the third novel published on October 6, 2026.

If you want to explore more of the world, there is also the graphic novel ExtraOrdinary and the prequel short story “Warm Up.” Both are companion reads rather than numbered installments of the main trilogy.

For new readers, my recommendation is to begin with Vicious and follow the novels in publication order. Add the companion material if you want more time in Schwab’s world of dangerous abilities, old grudges, and uncertain loyalties.

Villains Books in Order at a Glance

Macmillan’s listing for Victorious confirms the three-book sequence and identifies the novel as the conclusion.

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1. Vicious

Vicious introduces Victor and Eli, college roommates whose research into near-death experiences leads them toward a disturbing possibility: under certain conditions, people can acquire extraordinary abilities.

Their experiments turn a shared intellectual obsession into something far more destructive. Years later, their relationship has become a rivalry shaped by betrayal, revenge, and sharply different ideas about who deserves to survive.

Schwab’s official description of Vicious establishes the central premise: gaining extraordinary powers does not automatically make someone heroic.

That question is the strongest reason to start here. Before worrying about bonus stories or an expanded reading order, you need to understand the conflict at the heart of the series.

My recommendation is to approach Vicious as a dark rivalry story. The appeal lies in watching intelligent, ambitious people justify increasingly dangerous choices. The superpowers give those choices consequences on a much larger scale.

Start your collection: Find Vicious on Amazon.

2. Vengeful

Read Vengeful after Vicious. The second novel builds on the first book’s relationships and consequences, so skipping ahead removes much of the context.

The sequel brings Marcella Riggins into the conflict. Following a brush with death, she gains extraordinary power and sets out to take control in Merit. Her ambitions complicate the struggle surrounding Victor and Eli.

Schwab’s Vengeful book page describes Marcella’s rise and her willingness to draw the established rivals into her plans.

This expansion gives the reading order a clear purpose. Vicious introduces the rivalry; Vengeful shows how that conflict intersects with other people’s ambitions.

For readers deciding whether to continue, the important point is that the sequel develops the same world and ongoing story. It belongs directly after the first novel.

Continue the series: Find Vengeful on Amazon.

3. Victorious

Victorious is the third and final novel in the main Villains trilogy. Its U.S. publication date was October 6, 2026, so it is now available rather than awaiting release.

The publisher’s synopsis points toward another confrontation involving allies, rivals, and an unexpected opponent. For a reading guide, the most useful detail is its position: this is the conclusion, and it should follow Vengeful.

Avoid reading detailed descriptions of the third book before finishing the first two. Even promotional material can reveal who remains involved and which relationships have changed.

If you read Vengeful years ago, consider revisiting the novels before beginning Victorious. Pay particular attention to character loyalties, the consequences of extraordinary abilities, and where the second book leaves its central cast.

Complete the trilogy: Find Victorious on Amazon.

Where Does ExtraOrdinary Fit?

ExtraOrdinary: A Villains Story is a graphic novel set between Vicious and Vengeful. It was published in 2021 and features art by Enid Balam.

It follows Charlotte Tills, a teenager who survives a bus crash and develops the ability to see people’s deaths. Her own predicted fate gives her a reason to challenge what she sees.

Schwab’s official ExtraOrdinary page places the story in the five-year gap between the first two novels.

There are two useful ways to include it:

• For a straightforward first read: Finish Vicious, Vengeful, and Victorious, then return to ExtraOrdinary.
• For an expanded story sequence: Read Vicious, then ExtraOrdinary, followed by Vengeful and Victorious.

The first option keeps the main novels together. The second lets you explore the intervening years before continuing.

Either approach works as a reading recommendation. What matters is keeping ExtraOrdinary separate from the numbered trilogy: it is a companion graphic novel, while Victorious is Book 3.

Explore the companion story: Find ExtraOrdinary on Amazon.

Should You Read “Warm Up” Before Vicious?

“Warm Up” is a short prequel set in the Villains universe. Macmillan identifies it as a prequel to Vicious.

You can read it before the first novel, but my recommendation is to start with Vicious. That gives you the central characters and conflict immediately. Return to “Warm Up” afterward if you want an additional glimpse of the world.

The collected ExtraOrdinary edition also includes “Warm Up,” according to Schwab’s website. Check your edition’s contents before buying the story separately.

For readers who want the prequel and graphic novel arranged around the main books, an expanded sequence is:

1. “Warm Up” — optional prequel.
2. Vicious — first novel.
3. ExtraOrdinary — optional graphic novel set between the first two novels.
4. Vengeful — second novel.
5. Victorious — third and final novel.

This is a practical companion-reading sequence. The main novels themselves move through different periods, so there is no need to rearrange their chapters into a strict timeline.

Is Villains a Duology or a Trilogy?

Villains is now a completed trilogy. Older guides and boxed sets may still describe it as a duology because only Viciousand Vengeful were available at the time.

If you are buying a set, check its contents carefully. A package containing the first two novels does not include the full trilogy unless Victorious is explicitly listed. A bundle that adds “Warm Up” still contains two main novels and a short story.

That distinction is especially useful when comparing editions: the number of included titles does not always equal the number of numbered novels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first Villains book?

The first novel is Vicious, originally published in 2013. It is the recommended starting point for new readers.

Do you have to read Vicious before Vengeful?

Yes, for the intended main-story sequence. Vengeful continues the world and relationships established in Vicious.

Is Victorious out now?

Yes. Victorious was published in the United States on October 6, 2026.

Is ExtraOrdinary the third Villains book?

No. It is a companion graphic novel. The third main novel is Victorious.

Do you need the companion stories to follow the trilogy?

For a first read, follow Vicious, Vengeful, and Victorious. My recommendation is to treat the companion material as additional exploration rather than a prerequisite.

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