Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

320 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

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Death, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

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

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

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

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!

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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.

veliana's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Violence

curlykristenk's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Death

Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder