Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

261 reviews

nhelregel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

Listened to the audiobook for this one - the only thing with that was that at the beginning it was hard keeping so many primary characters straight. Happily they fall into archetypes (that the play, and then be extension who they are off-stage) so I had everyone down fairly quickly. Overall: this was very interesting and moody and despite there being several mysteries I didn't really feel the need to solve them (because of the frame narrative you know you'll get some answers anyways). At first I felt like one of the major plot points was unearned - it seemed unrealistic that so many people would all agree on a mind-boggling decision. However over the course of the book I felt like it became more earned, sort of? The teasing out of everyone's secrets and the dynamics between the characters were the most interesting and well-written parts, to me. The ending was... annoying in some ways. But overall I very much enjoyed the book, and would recommend! (Sorry if this review is vague - trying not to spoil anything)!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Toxic relationship, Murder, Grief, Physical abuse, Bullying, Violence, Addiction, and Alcohol

Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Eating disorder, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Drug abuse

carmineslamp's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I am shivering in my boots. Quaking.

THAT ENDING OMG.

The whole story is a fucking slip-and-slide of barely managed (on my part) tension and enjoyment, a sick and almost sadistic urge persuading me to reflect myself in the faces of "awful" people. I ong did the same with Victor and had a mental breakdown but oh when I do it to these people i am a tortured artist. Perchance.

We all know Oliver goes to James and they have gay sex. This is the true epilog.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Homophobia and Eating disorder

snovella's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

Minor: Eating disorder

lottie_wolf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Self harm, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Homophobia

addanumlaut's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

m.l. rio honed the plot to such a point that even though i found myself not entirely interested in the characters, i couldn't deny the intrigue that surrounded the book. she has a way of capturing your attention, much like a shakespeare play itself, and guiding you through the passions and turmoils of the characters involved.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Minor: Homophobia

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Murder, Blood, Cursing, Alcohol, Addiction, and Suicide

Minor: Homophobia and Vomit

sexyelderbug's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Homophobia

dexlud's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Gore, Suicide, Drug use, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Violence, and Self harm

Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment

noiraet's review against another edition

emotional sad

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Homophobia

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

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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