12 Books Told From The Villain’s Perspective

There’s something undeniably thrilling about stepping into the shoes of a villain. The power, the ambition, the seduction of chaos—it’s an intoxicating rush. These 12 books invite you to experience the world through the eyes of the very characters you’re supposed to hate. But as the story unfolds, you’ll find yourself questioning: Are they truly villains? Or just misunderstood souls, sculpted by a world that never gave them a chance? Prepare to be swept away by dark desires, forbidden passions, and complex motivations. These tales reveal the alluring depths of villainy, and they might just have you cheering for the dark side.

1. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Antiheroes, superpowers, and a twisted rivalry

Victor Vale and Eli Ever are former college roommates turned bitter rivals. Both have extraordinary powers, but their thirst for vengeance and the dark consequences of their ambitions transform them into something unrecognizable. Told from Victor’s perspective, Vicious is a masterclass in morally gray characters.

💡 Unforgettable Element: The tension between Victor and Eli is electric—an unforgettable battle of wills, fueled by jealousy, betrayal, and a shared past that’s both haunting and seductive.

2. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Charismatic killers, psychological games, and dangerous intellect

Hannibal Lecter. Just saying the name sends a shiver down your spine, right? In The Silence of the Lambs, we get a chilling look into the mind of the infamous cannibalistic psychiatrist, who is both terrifying and fascinating. While technically not told directly from Lecter’s perspective, his presence and voice are so compelling that he steals every scene.

💡 Unforgettable Element: The unspoken allure of Lecter lies in his unsettling charm. It’s almost impossible to look away as he plays a game of cat and mouse with Agent Starling—and you’ll find yourself strangely captivated.

3. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: A fae world of politics, power, and cunning betrayal

Jude, a mortal girl living in the faerie world, is forced to navigate its treacherous politics, but it’s Prince Cardan, the cruel and enigmatic faerie prince, who steals the spotlight. Told partly from his perspective, this dark, alluring tale of power, revenge, and forbidden desires will keep you on the edge of your seat.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Cardan’s journey from arrogant bully to conflicted, tortured soul will have you questioning if he’s truly a villain or just a product of his cruel world. His romance with Jude is twisted, passionate, and charged with tension.

4. Wicked by Gregory Maguire

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: A legendary villain reimagined, love, and tragedy

Before she became the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba was a misunderstood, passionate young woman trying to navigate a world that rejected her for her differences. Wicked retells the classic Wizard of Oz story from Elphaba’s perspective, and in the process, turns her into one of the most tragic, compelling villains in modern fiction.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Elphaba’s transformation into the infamous witch is heartbreaking and powerful. Her defiance and complexity will leave you rooting for her in a world that can’t see her heart.

5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Dark magic, betrayal, and an empire built on bloodshed

Aelin Galathynius might be the heroine of Throne of Glass, but it’s her long-time enemy, the fae lord Rowan Whitethorn, who adds an irresistible layer of complexity to the narrative. As the series progresses, his perspective deepens, revealing his internal battles, emotional scars, and an undeniable connection to Aelin that defies the world’s rules.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Rowan’s fierce loyalty, complex past, and the burning tension between him and Aelin are intoxicating. You’ll fall for him as the lines between villain and hero blur.

6. Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith by Charles Soule

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: The rise and fall of a dark legend

Darth Vader—the very embodiment of the dark side—has captivated fans for generations. This graphic novel series dives into the mind of the former Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker, as he becomes the feared Sith Lord. Told from Vader’s perspective, it’s a chilling look at his inner turmoil, the weight of his decisions, and the raw, desperate passion that still lingers beneath his armor.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Watching Anakin’s descent into darkness, torn between his remaining humanity and the all-consuming power of the dark side, is mesmerizing. His tragic love for Padmé is one of the most potent motivations for his transformation into Darth Vader.

7. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Tragic love, ancient Greek myth, and forbidden passion

Told from the perspective of Patroclus, the loyal companion and lover of Achilles, this retelling of the Iliad brings the tragic hero to life in a way you’ve never seen before. Patroclus’ devotion to Achilles runs so deep that you can’t help but feel for him as their love story unfolds amidst the violence of the Trojan War.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Achilles, often seen as a hero in the original myth, is presented here as both a godlike figure and a deeply flawed, vulnerable soul—his internal struggles make him unforgettable.

8. Queen of Snow by Laura Byron

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: An ice queen, power struggles, and a kingdom built on secrets

The classic story of Snow White takes on a darker edge in Queen of Snow, where the titular queen’s actions are given new layers of nuance and complexity. From her own perspective, Snow White isn’t a simple princess—she’s a woman driven by power, betrayal, and vengeance.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Snow’s journey into darkness is as tragic as it is gripping. It’s not just about her rise to power, but the isolation and emotional cost of it all. You’ll find yourself rooting for a character you once saw as a simple villain.

9. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Cold, calculating power, and ruthless politics

Machiavelli’s classic treatise on political power isn’t fiction, but it reads like a manual for mastering the art of ruling with an iron fist. In The Prince, you enter the mind of the ultimate strategist, a man who has no illusions about morality in politics, only the necessity of power.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Though Machiavelli is often viewed as the ultimate “villain,” his cold logic and unflinching honesty about the nature of power are shockingly compelling—his philosophy is both chilling and intriguing.

10. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Fae politics, forbidden romance, and seductive danger

Tamlin may seem like the hero, but it’s Rhysand, the dark and alluring High Lord of the Night Court, who steals the show. Rhysand’s motives, which initially appear self-serving, become more layered and complex as the series progresses. His seductive charm and subtle manipulations make him a perfect antihero—one whose loyalty and passion will make you swoon.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Rhysand’s internal struggles and devotion to those he loves elevate him from villain to tragic hero. His chemistry with Feyre ignites a romance that will leave you breathless.

11. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Witches, revenge, and small-town secrets

Three sisters were drowned for their magic in the 1800s, and now, every summer, their spirits return to claim the lives of the town’s young men. Told from the perspective of the witchy, vengeful spirits, The Wicked Deep lures you into its dark, mysterious world where love and betrayal intermingle like sea and sand.

💡 Unforgettable Element: The witches’ yearning for vengeance, coupled with their tragic love story, creates an eerie and emotional backdrop to this atmospheric novel.

12. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

🖤 Why You’ll Love It: Revenge, betrayal, and a man with a singular goal

Edmond Dantès begins as a wronged man, but as he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, he becomes a master of manipulation and a force to be reckoned with. His calculated revenge against those who betrayed him is both thrilling and heartbreaking.

💡 Unforgettable Element: Dantès’ transformation from an innocent man into a vengeful, nearly unrecognizable figure is a journey that keeps you entranced—blurring the lines between villain and victim.

Are You Team Villain?

These villains are much more than just evil—they’re complex, tortured, and, in many cases, deeply relatable. Sometimes, they make us question our own morality or the systems that create them. Which villain’s perspective did you find most compelling? Share your favorite villainous reads in the comments! Let’s talk about the bad guys who stole our hearts. 💖🖤📚