Reviews

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

evieg_b's review against another edition

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5.0

God damn.

saskiajuliette's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While many warned me about the resemblances between ''If We Were Villains'' and Donna Tartt's ''The Secret History'' (and while I see where they are coming from) this book also ventures into its own unique territory. It does lack the same depth and complexity. Some of the plot decisions did not make sense to me and some of the characters were hard to truly connect with because the way they were written did not make them feel real.

Despite those flaws, I was expecting it to be a five star read for me until I reached the completely disjointed and out of place ending that made me settle upon four. That being said, judged on its own merits "If We Were Villains" is still a good book. It's a nice escape into another dark academia atmosphere with plenty of drama and intrigue to keep you going. It is very well-written and even though I am not a Shakespeare connoisseur, it was fun to sit in the audience for a bit.

reinikkaessi's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

laurenkara's review

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5.0

hi here is my official review of this book

sarahwpotter's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

idk man this book was just not for me. so many characters and with it being in third person, I didn't find myself connecting with anyone but james and james himself was so all over the place I didn't connect with him either. also shakespeare......... triggering. there were really affecting passages and scenes though - loved the romeo and juliet scene and the epilogue 

norie_cb's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mackenzieanastasia's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I'd give it 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that it ripped my soul apart. 

abookboundgirl's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.5

kylie_ann's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.5

gretafaithbb's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0