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maryy_r0se's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“She could tempt anyone, but Fate didn’t seem like a good target.”
It’s been ten years since Oliver’s senior year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where he was one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare. Ten years since something in the group snapped and fractured beyond repair, and Oliver ended up incarcerated. Upon his release, the detective who worked his case is still looking for answers, and Oliver finds himself back where it all went wrong.
It feels a bit poetic that this book singlehandedly got me out of a reading slump that lasted almost 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. This book drew me in right from the beginning, and I couldn’t put it down. I tend to gravitate more to characters than to plot, and the characters in this book were fantastic. Filippa and Meredith were my personal favorites, but they were all so layered and brought something unique to the story. The author has a background in theatre and it is very clear, not just in her Shakespearean references but in her understanding of the ethical dilemmas often apparent in theatre instruction. As a massive theatre fan, I found that aspect of the book very compelling.
I often hear this book compared to The Secret History. I see why people say that, but I find the comparisons very surface level. I’ve seen a lot of people reluctant to read this for that reason, but as someone who loves both, I wouldn’t let your opinion of Secret History affect your decision to try this. There are some thematic crossovers, but the themes are tackled very differently, and If We Were Villains takes a far less cynical approach to dark academia.
I really loved this book, and I will be eternally grateful that it rescued me from a decade of sporadic reading and unfinished books.
It’s been ten years since Oliver’s senior year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where he was one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare. Ten years since something in the group snapped and fractured beyond repair, and Oliver ended up incarcerated. Upon his release, the detective who worked his case is still looking for answers, and Oliver finds himself back where it all went wrong.
It feels a bit poetic that this book singlehandedly got me out of a reading slump that lasted almost 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. This book drew me in right from the beginning, and I couldn’t put it down. I tend to gravitate more to characters than to plot, and the characters in this book were fantastic. Filippa and Meredith were my personal favorites, but they were all so layered and brought something unique to the story. The author has a background in theatre and it is very clear, not just in her Shakespearean references but in her understanding of the ethical dilemmas often apparent in theatre instruction. As a massive theatre fan, I found that aspect of the book very compelling.
I often hear this book compared to The Secret History. I see why people say that, but I find the comparisons very surface level. I’ve seen a lot of people reluctant to read this for that reason, but as someone who loves both, I wouldn’t let your opinion of Secret History affect your decision to try this. There are some thematic crossovers, but the themes are tackled very differently, and If We Were Villains takes a far less cynical approach to dark academia.
I really loved this book, and I will be eternally grateful that it rescued me from a decade of sporadic reading and unfinished books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Violence
mzarauza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Classism
ruthiegalat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly one of the most gripping books I’ve read in a while, this was so fascinating that I finished it all in two sittings. The characters are artfully developed, and the plot twists kept me captivated, up to the last line. The tension between Oliver and James kept me frustrated the whole book, why was there so much hinting towards their love for one another with nothing coming of it? But with the end, it all comes together as a tragic love story, with a dash of internalized homophobia and the lingering question of “what if?”.
I will say that I did have a few minor problems with the book, though nothing that kept me from enjoying it wholeheartedly. Though Richard was over and over again, described as a person who everyone either loved or hated, there didn’t seem to be much pulling the reader to love him. From the start, he frustrated me, and in the sections leading up to his death, he only became more insufferable. The dynamic of his death and it’s affect on the readers was difficult to grasp, as I was honestly just happy he was dead. Additionally, the implementation of Oliver’s sister’s eating disorder seemed unfounded and unnecessary. It is hardly focused upon, and Oliver himself seems to brush it off as unimportant, though not even because of his character. If it was meant to show his lack of belief in mental illness or something of the like, that would be one thing. But, to the best of my knowledge, it was not.
I will say that I did have a few minor problems with the book, though nothing that kept me from enjoying it wholeheartedly. Though Richard was over and over again, described as a person who everyone either loved or hated, there didn’t seem to be much pulling the reader to love him. From the start, he frustrated me, and in the sections leading up to his death, he only became more insufferable. The dynamic of his death and it’s affect on the readers was difficult to grasp, as I was honestly just happy he was dead. Additionally, the implementation of Oliver’s sister’s eating disorder seemed unfounded and unnecessary. It is hardly focused upon, and Oliver himself seems to brush it off as unimportant, though not even because of his character. If it was meant to show his lack of belief in mental illness or something of the like, that would be one thing. But, to the best of my knowledge, it was not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder, Vomit, Classism, and Blood
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