Reviews tagging 'Murder'

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

884 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

valeriedittrich's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

an interesting thought: i feel like if i read the secret history before this i would not have liked it because its very similar. however, i read this first, so i did like it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Murder

errie's review against another edition

mysterious tense

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Bullying, Grief, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Drug use

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

arsmithwick19's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, and Murder

amelierawr's review against another edition

dark 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Eating disorder

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

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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

alyxandrathegr8's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

Spoilers-Fine but not for me. If you liked “the secret history” you’ll like this. They are essentially the same. Notable differences are a lack of incest and instead of being obsessed with the Greeks, these kids are the obsessed with Shakespeare. Both books include incredibly absent parents or parents that don’t give the kids what they think they deserve, the person you love being in love with someone else (that person also being your friend) main characters being elite in some way, substance abuse, suicide, and an“accidental death”/murder. This book
However is set in a more realistic world with more realistic situations than in the secret history.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Alcohol, and Body shaming

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Suicide

sleepypandaa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Self harm, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gore, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

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