Reviews with content warning for Violence - If We Were Villains

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

682 reviews

veliana's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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curlykristenk's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny inspiring 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

4.0

Loved the character building at the beginning and throughout. Loved the way their characters all go a little mad even tho it’s a bit sad that they do. They are a little over the top but I think that was intentional due to them being die hard theatre kids and adding to them getting lost in the world of theatre.

I loved the poetry of some of the Shakespeare references. Both in the quotes (even though some of them were, imo, ill placed and at times a little cringy when they weren’t like necessarily poetic or added much. At the same time i could see how it really added to the narrative of the characters losing touch of reality outside of Shakespeare) and in the plot similarities at times. I could never really guess what was going to happen next which both I liked and disliked lol.

I’m sad about that ending for Meredith, just to be there for convenience. She deserves a man that loves her and that will choose her.

Filippa was a convenient character, especially towards the end, with not a lot of depth but was always there to solve a problem that the author came across. She didn’t have much backstory explained even though it got built up to have lots of potential for it.

Richards body being mangled, broken and twisted in odd ways and James’ story of him just slashing him with the hook don’t match. It’s a huuuge plot hole and I don’t understand how that could’ve been missed? I was convinced I read the initial description of how his body was found wrong so I went back and looked and yeah it just doesn’t match. And I’m confused about it.

I feel like overall the wrap up at the end was really rushed. Especially how Oliver found out about James and quickly skimmed over that to ask another question about another loose end of the book straight after hearing that. Then once all the loose ends were tied up after talking to colbourne only then does he have a bit of a menty b about it. I feel like it was just rushed because he’s been waiting 10 years to get out and see the love of his life and he learns that and then asks about other people? Nah I’d go non-verbal except screams. It was just like a bit disingenuous compared to the rest of the book and the great character building. Loved the lil Cliff hanger tho hehe

Overall loved the book! I think I would give it a 5 if it weren’t for the huge plot hole that maybe I’m still mistaken about? If you’ve read this far plz tell me if I’m wrong haha

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sadiegenene25's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I cried. I’m still crying. This book is so upsetting and it might be my favorite thing i’ve ever read. Best read of 2024 so far and I will never get over it

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thesunalsorises's review

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emotional mysterious 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

5.0

God Oliver...
Could he be any stupider?
The ending is gut wrenching and maddening and the way it was unraveling was brilliant! I never suspected it to end that way.
The character development stupefied me. Well written and well thought out.
🌟 kudus to you M.L.Rio

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issysamb's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

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odreadingtime's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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dexlud's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book- This book is honestly one of the best pieces of literature I have consumed in my life. I adored this book, the tension it built so magnificently, the descriptions, the plays. I love how it builds everything up, but everything still goes so fast and smoothly. The layout of ‘Acts’ and ‘Scenes’ made my theatre loving heart cry out! This book needs so much more attention than it already has.

also i’m sorry but James and Oliver’s relationship was SO HEARTWARMING AND CUTE AHHHHHH!

the twist at the end actually made my jaw drop to the floor.

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alyssamhartley's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I wanted to like this book so much. I really think it was just overhyped for me. None of the characters really drew me in and honestly they all gave me reasons to not like them at some point throughout the book. I wanted to know what happened, but I guessed who the killer was from the beginning. I will say the story did not play out like I expected it to, but I honestly hated how it played out because it just made me so angry for that character.

Like all of his friends knew he didn’t do it, but just let him go to jail for 10 years. What kind of friends do that????

Anyway, the epilogue was by far the best part of this book even though I didn’t like the way the story ended. So if you are someone who doesn’t normally read epilogues, you should read this one because it is good. Also, the thing that truly saved this book for me was how AMAZING the writing is. I really enjoyed every second of how this author writes and I will for sure be reading something else written by her soon. I think the storyline just didn’t do it for me. It had good moments, but overall was not my favorite.

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iordanmoore's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

Loved this book! Similar to The Secret History but I found this book to be more enjoyable to read.

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crabinspace's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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