In The Princess Bride, Inigo Montoya follows one of fiction’s most iconic vengeance arcs. Inigo is a dedicated swordsman driven by one purpose: to avenge his father’s murder. Having witnessed the murder at a young age, Inigo moves through the story with this purpose in mind, making for an incredibly devastating story of revenge and grief that remains in the minds of readers to this day.
As impactful as Inigo’s story might be, it is anything but unique. Fiction is littered with characters motivated by the pursuit of revenge waiting to be explored. If you found yourself intrigued by the story of Inigo Montoya, these similar stories of vengeance are likely to captivate you with their emotional intensity and gripping storytelling.
Classics
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Arguably one of the definitive vengeance stories in literature, The Count of Monte Cristo follows the journey of Edmond. Having been wrongly imprisoned, Edmond manages to escape to enact his plan for vengeance against those who contributed to his conviction. Edmond’s vengeance is patient and calculated, making for a suspenseful read. Edmond’s quest is perfect for those readers who crave a psychological thrill. As you witness the lengths that Edmond is willing to go for justice, you will start to question the fine line between vengeance and cruelty. How far is too far?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights explores the emotionally driven story of Heathcliff. Having been separated from his lover, Catherine, enacts his revenge on the people who kept them apart. What sets this story apart from other vengeance stories is the depth of emotion shown through Heathcliff — he isn’t just angry, he’s broken, and his vengeance is deeply personal. This classic is not a tale of justice, but of obsession. In his pursuit of vengeance, Heathcliff finds that his actions might be hurting more than he intends. How much is he willing to sacrifice to settle the score?
Thrillers
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Trigger Warning: Please check content warnings before reading.
Flynn brings a modern twist to the theme of vengeance with Gone Girl. Nick and Amy Dunne seem to be the perfect couple, but a chillingly calculated act of revenge from a woman scorned is bubbling beneath the surface. When Amy learns of Nick’s infidelity, she disappears from her community, leaving Nick with disturbing accusations thrown at him left and right. This story’s defining feature is how the reader is left unsettled following Amy’s vengeance, rather than satisfied. If Inigo Montoya made you cheer, Amy might make you shudder — her revenge is ice cold and impossible to look away from.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Trigger Warning: Please check content warnings before reading.
If you enjoy a complex antihero, you’ll love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Lisbeth Salander, with a traumatic past of her own, joins an investigation regarding the disappearance of a young woman. As she loses herself in the case, she becomes deeply triggered, enacting the start of her self-destructing obsession with bringing the woman justice. Lisbeth’s actions are often morally grey, leaving the reader questioning whether she will lose parts of herself in her pursuit of vengeance. Who is Lisbeth seeking revenge for: the missing woman or herself?
Mystery
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Detective Poirot leads Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, uncovering dark truths about a mysterious murder on board the Orient Express. The victim of the crime isn’t who he seems, and neither is the motive for this murder. When this crime was revealed to be a deeply interconnected story of vengeance, Poirot must continue to unravel the complex characters involved. Is uncovering this mess even worth it?
Romance
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Trigger Warning: Please check content warnings before reading.
Huang’s Twisted Love involves themes of romance in this story of vengeance. Alex Volkov finds his plans for vengeance foiled when he becomes involved with his best friend’s sister, Ava. There is a strong sense of internal conflict in this story. Alex and Ava’s slow-burning romance is laced with deeply intimate emotional stakes. What’s more important for Alex: his past or his future?
Fantasy
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie
Trigger Warning: Please check content warnings before reading.
Abercrombie’s take on the vengeance journey arc with Best Served Cold is as genuine as it gets. With consistent elements of obsession and brutality, Monza Murcatto serves as our cold and calculating female lead focused on avenging herself. After she was left for dead, she fantasizes about a blood-soaked revenge that might leave her closer to death than she has ever been. This story will have you questioning whether vengeance brings more hurt.
Vicious by V. E. Schwab
Victor and Eli, once close college roommates, are obsessed with discovering the secret to unlocking superhuman abilities. When Victor is thrown in jail with Eli walking free, he makes his eventual escape to enact his revenge on Eli for his betrayal. Readers are left deeply connected to the personal elements of this story. These aren’t strangers; they were once as close as two could be. When both parties believe they’re the hero of their story, who makes it out on top?
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Trigger Warning: Please check content warnings before reading.
Bardugo works the element of vengeance into the story of multiple characters throughout Six of Crows. Kaz Brekker might seem like your average scheming misfit, but we know that villains are made. The elements of revenge in this story are woven between elements of identity, connection, and trauma. When Kaz’s desire for justice overtakes his cool disposition, who will get caught in the crossfire?
Western
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
If you’re able to rip your eyes from this beautiful cover, you’ll discover a journey of vengeance rooted in justice and identity. When Kate Thompson finds her father murdered, she knows exactly who is responsible and begins her trek across the Arizona territory to seek her revenge disguised as a man. On the way, however, she uncovers disturbing truths surrounding her family that are shaping her as a person. The closer Kate gets to getting her vengeance, the farther she feels from the life she once knew. Will she decide that she’s had enough or see her journey through?
There is no shortage of incredibly relatable stories of vengeance in fiction waiting for you to discover them. We’ve just scratched the surface of the element of revenge in fiction, so get ready for your latest genre obsession.
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