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jenniferforjoy's review against another edition
3.0
God, I barely made it through this book. I never would have even tried to read it if not for book club, and the first few pages even had me groaning in annoyance and strongly considering DNFing. The amount of Shakespeare quotes they use is SO MUCH. Even to me. I was like wow these people are pretentious as fuck and also I'm sometimes just too tired to be parsing out Shakespearean in addition to the context clues to a murder mystery?? COME ON!
And then there is a lot of this dedicated to literally just describing them performing a scene from a play. Who says what lines and all the lines they say. Where they move. The set descriptions were cool, but man it was a lot to deal with. I was interested enough in their weird connections to each other to get through it but goddamn I was grating my teeth the whole way, too.
And then there is a lot of this dedicated to literally just describing them performing a scene from a play. Who says what lines and all the lines they say. Where they move. The set descriptions were cool, but man it was a lot to deal with. I was interested enough in their weird connections to each other to get through it but goddamn I was grating my teeth the whole way, too.
Too much Shakespeare, very pretentious, tiring to read, but also compelling and invites plenty of analysis and stripping of the many many layers to every word and moment.
sma_olivia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
xxnurcuk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
gabiwr's review against another edition
4.0
** 4.5 stars **
The dark academia poetic murder story you've been waiting to read.
The writing and structure of this book are just so perfect! They capture so well the essence of the story, not knowing how to discern what is theater and what is real life.
'If We Were Villains' tells the story of 7 theater students at a conservatory devoted to studying Shakespeare; they are:
Oliver - the narrator, the "ordinary guy"
James - Oliver's roommate, the "good guy"
Filippa - volatile, mysterious, and the loyal friend
Alexander - the villain, the sarcastic rule breaker
Meredith - sexual and powerful woman, the femme fatale
Richard - arrogant, violent, the tyrant
Wren - lovely, fragile, the "girl-next-door"
The characters start with these striking stereotypes, but they (well, at least most of them) go through significant character developments after one of them mysteriously dies.
The two things keeping me from giving this book 5 stars are the Shakespearean quotes and the so-called "plot twist" (bare with me for a second!).
When I was recommended this novel, I didn't know it would be so full of Shakespeare texts inside, so this is partially my fault. Needless to say, until I was halfway through the book, I did not understand a word of the Shakespeare quotes. So, I feel like I can't give a full mark to a book I didn't have the "full reading experience".
My disappointment with the plot twist I blame 100% on other reviews on this website. I was expecting a tremendous surprise, but no. The ending was exactly as I had expected; all the little details and motives (the killer and the aftermath). However, it was beautiful nonetheless! If I weren't expecting such a plot twist, I would have been perfectly content with it, poetic and tragic - like Shakespeare.
The dark academia poetic murder story you've been waiting to read.
The writing and structure of this book are just so perfect! They capture so well the essence of the story, not knowing how to discern what is theater and what is real life.
"Do you blame Shakespeare for any of it?" The question is so unlikely, so nonsensical coming from such a sensible man, that I can't suppress a smile. "I blame him for all of it," I say."
'If We Were Villains' tells the story of 7 theater students at a conservatory devoted to studying Shakespeare; they are:
Oliver - the narrator, the "ordinary guy"
James - Oliver's roommate, the "good guy"
Filippa - volatile, mysterious, and the loyal friend
Alexander - the villain, the sarcastic rule breaker
Meredith - sexual and powerful woman, the femme fatale
Richard - arrogant, violent, the tyrant
Wren - lovely, fragile, the "girl-next-door"
The characters start with these striking stereotypes, but they (well, at least most of them) go through significant character developments after one of them mysteriously dies.
The two things keeping me from giving this book 5 stars are the Shakespearean quotes and the so-called "plot twist" (bare with me for a second!).
When I was recommended this novel, I didn't know it would be so full of Shakespeare texts inside, so this is partially my fault. Needless to say, until I was halfway through the book, I did not understand a word of the Shakespeare quotes. So, I feel like I can't give a full mark to a book I didn't have the "full reading experience".
My disappointment with the plot twist I blame 100% on other reviews on this website. I was expecting a tremendous surprise, but no. The ending was exactly as I had expected; all the little details and motives (the killer and the aftermath). However, it was beautiful nonetheless! If I weren't expecting such a plot twist, I would have been perfectly content with it, poetic and tragic - like Shakespeare.
"But that is how a tragedy like ours or King Lear breaks your heart—by making you believe that the ending might still be happy, until the very last minute."
nikenacs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Murder, Gore, Violence, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder
reangelic's review against another edition
3.0
I would definitely say I loved this book. Many scenes it has made me gasp and it had the a spooky vibe. I loved the writing style and its characters are so complex which makes it more interesting. I’m, unfortunately, writing this review weeks after I finished reading it so I cannot recall the details. But I do remember really enjoying this book and getting intrigued by it.
4daash's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
masyazafira's review against another edition
4.0
After finished reading the book, now i understand why it was rated 5 stars. A fan of Shakespeare would love this book, given there’s a lot of reference to Shakespeare that i couldnt relate with.
This is a kind of murder mystery book that u should endure until the last 50pages, just to know what happened. Honestly, i have to force myself reading it, because i personally feel it was draggy. It’s the same feeling when i need to drag my ass to work after a long holiday.
This is a kind of murder mystery book that u should endure until the last 50pages, just to know what happened. Honestly, i have to force myself reading it, because i personally feel it was draggy. It’s the same feeling when i need to drag my ass to work after a long holiday.
catherine_dalton08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75