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Reviews tagging 'Sexism'
If We Were Villains. Wenn aus Freunden Feinde werden by M.L. Rio
71 reviews
reading_bunny's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My Ratings:
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Favourite quote:
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Favourite quote:
"You can justify anything of you do it poetically enough"
- Oliver Marks
Review/my thoughts:
This book took me a long time to read, partially because I went through and looked up every quote they mentioned, but also because the book was dense, the writing wasnt too hard to read through it was just a dense book.
I really enjoyed the story, and I thought it was paced nicely, only revealing informationto the reader as the characters learn about them which lends to the bizzying and disorienting feeling of the narrative.
The characters were all stellar, and Oliver's unreliability as a narrator was at times a little frustrating because I would have loved to learn a little more about the others but Oliver is fairly dismissive of a few if them for whatever his reasons.
The relationship between
Overall, this is not a book that I would re-read but it is one that I would recommend to someone who is very into Shakespeare and/or cannparse it well enough to understand the meaning of the prose, as well as those who are into the Dark academia aesthetic since this book is not only a corner stone of the genre/aesthetic but also because this is a lot like the secret history in its core expects
In the end, an enjoyable experience and I'm glad I gave this book a chance and the time it deserved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Murder, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Body shaming, Murder, Blood, Addiction, Death, and Sexism
Minor: Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
gia0203's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
AAAA!!! I feel like I’ve been reading books so critically and seriously lately and somehow this book made me feel like I was 15 again, devouring a novel whole and feeling every single moment of it. I have the sudden urge to read all of Shakespeare’s plays and start speaking in verse. What a treat. And the yearning at the heart of the story… It’s subtly teased and then it hits you at last and it’s wonderful. I love codependent, homoerotic friendships in fiction.
This book is not very original. It borrows a lot from existing dark academia, obviously The Secret History being the main one. I do think though that the writing style makes up for its originality. It’s so lively and fun! And the characters too are so interesting and so sympathetic. A new favourite of mine for sure. I loved the twist at the end and the rising hysteria and ugh. Stunning.
On another note… the male characters in this book are very complex and well developed and the female characters are very wooden, particularly Meredith. She faces a lot of misogyny and her character revolves so much around the men in her life. Just something to think about in terms of female representation, especially when written as “competition” in relation to queer men. Not quite sure if this book passes the Beschdel test. If not for this, it would be a 5 star for me.
This book is not very original. It borrows a lot from existing dark academia, obviously The Secret History being the main one. I do think though that the writing style makes up for its originality. It’s so lively and fun! And the characters too are so interesting and so sympathetic. A new favourite of mine for sure. I loved the twist at the end and the rising hysteria and ugh. Stunning.
On another note… the male characters in this book are very complex and well developed and the female characters are very wooden, particularly Meredith. She faces a lot of misogyny and her character revolves so much around the men in her life. Just something to think about in terms of female representation, especially when written as “competition” in relation to queer men. Not quite sure if this book passes the Beschdel test. If not for this, it would be a 5 star for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
branthegremblin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Death, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
maddiebennet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don't really know if this is a 5 stars or a 4.75, it kinda depends on the day but its been a week since I finished this and I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!! I am so unwell I can't even begin to explain it. They're so me fr
I am really inlove with Oliver Alexander and specially James, I can't fr
I am in a state of constant denial literally Oliver and James got fucking married I don't have a single doubt Im not even kidding like I just KNOW James is alive and he knows Oliver is going to find him because they know each other in a way that only them can understand. They are soulmates but they are also more than that. shut up I need like a sequel or something IM BEGGING M L RIO
I am really inlove with Oliver Alexander and specially James, I can't fr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Alcoholism, Blood, Drug use, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
gologel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There's almos nothing in this book I could critique without it being picky, without it being looking for a needle in a haystack - except for some characters acting - or not acting - as plausibly, logically as you might expect them to.
The drama unfolding, with every act a new aspect spinning the character's world around, the book's telling you they're doomed and you watch the horror unfold more and more.
Do I think that the ending is a shocking plottwist? No.
But the ending is such a great tragedy that I was completely - emotionally and physically - captured, the kind of tragedy I long for. A defeaning applause would resound as the actors depart.
The drama unfolding, with every act a new aspect spinning the character's world around, the book's telling you they're doomed and you watch the horror unfold more and more.
Do I think that the ending is a shocking plottwist? No.
But the ending is such a great tragedy that I was completely - emotionally and physically - captured, the kind of tragedy I long for. A defeaning applause would resound as the actors depart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Murder, Blood, Cursing, Alcohol, Addiction, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
sophie8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A reread for me, and one of my favourite books. I absolutely love it, and would reccomend it to anyone who likes to read, no background Shakespeare knowledge needed. It's so easy to get into, the dynamics are addictive, it will make you laugh, break your heart, and on the second read through you can truly appreciate the equisite foreshadowing and literary parallels. The prose is beautiful, while still being perfectly readable, and the characters make speaking in Shakespeare quotes actually seem fun, witty and amusing. Could read it back to back no problem!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
Minor: Violence, Suicide, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Grief
The only bit I'd call 'gore' is when they find *you know who's* dead body, but it's pretty graphic! Also, Meredith is slut shamed several times, which I've listed as sexism.oakairi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Sexism, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, and Vomit
rainydayswithbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Omg...A masterpiece! The story unfolds in an incredibly special way, poetically and emotionally. An all-round successful work that is special in so many ways. The writing style is unique and ingenious, as it incorporates Shakespeare's quotes and yet tells a completely new story. The quotes, plays and characters from Shakespeare are always closely intertwined with the main characters and the actual story. The division of the book into the 5 acts and scenes give the impression of a script, which is reinforced by the partially inserted stage directions. At the beginning, you get the atmosphere of seven motivated students who are passionate about their art. I would have loved to have been part of the group of friends myself, watching one of the improvised plays or reading books by the fireplace with the group in the castle library... Dark academia vibes at their finest! But then everything changes and becomes more and more dark, sinister and mysterious. You no longer really trust anyone and can't predict the ending. I find it amazing how the author allows the characters to merge more and more with the characters they play on stage. As a reader, you realise how much you can lose yourself in art, but also the dangers this harbours. You quickly lose sight of reality. I liked Oliver's words that as an actor you feel all emotions twice - your own from real life and the fictional feelings of the characters. The two merge together, making it much more intense. You can also see this in the group's friendship: every relationship is always characterised by a charged intensity. Hate, love, mistrust, betrayal, solidarity, hero, victim- always close together, constantly changing. Filippa was the most consistent member of the group, although we can assume that this is more of a mask than an actual strong character. Oliver once said to her that she was the pillar of the friendgroup and had to stay strong and not doubt. If she had given up, everything might have fallen apart sooner or turned out very differently. Ironically, this is one of the best proofs of her extraordinary acting ability, although she is always the one who is least expected to play the big roles. A literary tragedy by a contemporary author who we will hopefully be reading a lot more of in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, and Sexism
astridaw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Intriguing, tense plotline with superinteresting character and friendship dynamics. I wasn't super shocked by the ending but still liked it a lot, but found that there were still some unanswered plot holes that could have been developed more (and made the story even more interesting).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, and Drug abuse
Minor: Suicide and Sexism
julells's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is frustrating, gut-wrenching and absolutely heartbreaking.
I hated it.
Go read it.
I hated it.
Go read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Toxic friendship, Grief, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Sexism, Bullying, Classism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Drug use, and Sexual content