Reviews

If We Were Villains is certainly no masterpiece (I begrudge its constant comparison to The Secret History, but can understand, based on its backdrop and basic framework, why), but suspend your disbelief, and it is definitely fun, addictive, and a huge page-turner.

This is one of those compulsive reads that doesn’t quite hold up to scrutiny, but is really entertaining—and I’m kind of okay with that. I suppose my one area of real annoyance was the fact that the stakes never really felt very high (even though they were) because it was so clear how everything was going to go from the onset. Plus, the characters are caricatures (perhaps intentionally), cast into their roles from the getgo and ultimately being derailed in, again, a very predictable way.

Regardless, this book felt really effortless and enjoyable, and I was entertained by it. There are many things I’d do to change that ending (not because it was heartbreaking but because it was so bloody underwhelming) but… we don’t talk about that.

cestnicka's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

This was a great read! It kept me hooked all the way through and it left me with so many feels.

If we were villains is a story about a tight knit group of 7 friends that are training to be Shakespearean actors at the dellecher academy. Over the years this group has become more like family than friends, and as it goes with family, cracks start to form within the family dynamic.

At the height of their turmoil, the friends find themselves at the heart of a murder investigation. 10 years later the detective on the case learns all the ins and outs of the murder and the relationships between the friends.

This is a dark academia novel and I really enjoyed it! I loved how the author incorporated Shakespeare but it wasn't overwhelming. I didn't always know where the speeches or quotes were coming from but I felt like she did a good job at incorporating them into the story for the average reader. I also thought it was cool how the characters almost had their own Shakespearean language between themselves.

I loved the character development throughout this book. It was almost in reverse as we watched the characters slowly break down from the stress of school, relationships, the murder. It was also cool to get into the minds of the characters as they were all method actors so I felt like I got a glimpse of what it's like to be in that world.

I thought it was a very unique and cool take on a murder mystery thriller. I thought it was a bit predictable but I didn't mind as I was was fully engrossed in the story and the characters. The ending I had predicted but it still got me in the feels.

For a debut novel I was very impressed and Would definitely recommend! I am excited to see what she comes up with next.

rubyabercromby's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

it’s like the secret history but slightly worse

ellafrancesp's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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