Great intro to the whole series, I can’t wait to start reading them. I loved “The invisible life of Addie LaRue” by the same author so I know I’ll love these next books. This leaves you wanting to read more of it, but it was too short (in a good way). I can’t say anything else, just that I want to buy the first book asap to start this new journey!

fun to read after reading vicious (and i'm glad i read vicious first. i feel like this prequel would give some things away for me?) -- doesn't add much to the vicious-verse, but has the same juicy writing and impeccable characterization that makes the book so compelling. read it here! https://www.tor.com/2013/08/20/warm-up/

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** spoiler alert ** This was so much fun to read!!! When I realized Eli was as the end I got so excited. I love how Victoria added these shorter stories to this series. It’s perfect for me whilst I wait for Vengeful to arrive. But David deserved better! He was trying so hard. And Jess! She has no idea! :’)

a good way to start a series omg it sounds so interesting

shit. okay.

- Wow! This is by far one of my favorite novella I've ever read. The moment I started reading it, it got me hooked and intrigued so much that made me feel giddy to read the next book! This is my first book from Schwab I've read and I must admit, it was written beautifully for a novella!

Warm up, he willed, but only the cold was there to meet him. The cold and quiet. I find it difficult sometimes to rate novellas and short stories, especially when I read them before the first installment of a series. With that being said, I thought this little prequel was so engaging and quite easy to rate. It's amazing what only 15 pages can make you feel. From the beginning, we are introduced to David, a man who, needless to say, has had a rough past. Instantly, I felt sympathy for him, feeling his fear and hesitation through the short blurbs of his life. When he decides to finally make his way out into the world again, I was inwardly saying, "Way to go!" There's one problem, though. David can't touch anything because he burns it. Rock, wood, fabric, flesh. It didn't catch fire. Nothing ever actually caught fire. No, it all simply burned. His first night out of his home go relatively well, until he crosses paths with and unsuspecting foe. "David Lane," said the stranger. David's blood ran cold. "How do you know my name?" "You have sinned against God." Vulgarity: moderate 3.5 stars. This review can also be viewed on my blog: She's Going Book Crazy

This short story was very short and didn't add absolutely anything to the main story. But it was nice anyway, it was quick and evocative, and in few pages you get to see David and his powers, and feel for him. Which is bizarre because there are books where I don't care much about the characters but here it takes me like 4 pages to feel sorry for David and (view spoiler)[ at the end I feel really sad that he died just when he was about to start living again and recover from his accident (hide spoiler)]. I think this shows how VE Schwab is so good at making you feel.

Felt like diving back into the Villains world and remembered this exists! Makes me even more excited for Vengeful.

Well, that was quite an interesting short-story about one of the EOs. Nothing special, but beautifully written and was a nice addition to the main story.

Anything to bring me back to Vicious is my favorite. :)

I would read Schwab's grocery lists and be in awe! She is an amazing author. Even her short stories are amazing! I loved this story. I feel like it would have been so much better if I read it before vicious. It sets the tone for vicious so well!

Super short and really nice to see how someone became an EO. Also has an unexpected guest at the end so if you've read Vicious you know who!

This short story set in the same world as Villains was surprisingly good for such a brief read. While I enjoyed the long-form dive more, it helps empathize more with some of the struggles facing other characters in the world.

Short short short.