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alexan13's review against another edition
4.0
I have somewhat complicated feelings about this book. On a surface level I really enjoyed the book and had a great time reading it.
On a deeper level it was...lackluster? Reading the summary, one thinks that this book is going to be an exact copy of Donna Tartt's The Secret History but worse (and subbing Classics for Shakespeare)...and that is actually kind of an apt description. If We Were Villains is certainly dark academia but it seems to simply be using the aesthetic of dark academia, rather than the philosophical ethos of dark academia -- questioning institutions, privilege, the meaning of knowledge production etc. -- which is apparent in (and the purpose of) The Secret History. If We Were Villains, in my opinion, simply adds nothing to the philosophical conversation. And it isn't trying to. That's fine, but that's not what I want from a dark academia novel.
I also find that I have an uneasy relationship with this novel's relationship to queerness. For me, it felt like queerness was simultaneously demonized and exoticized as a ""dark"' ""forbidden"" ""secret"" at the root of tensions in character relationships. While other queer readers definitely have different views of the novel, I personally didn't love whatever it was the author was attempting to do with the character's sexuality.
Ultimately I did enjoy this novel! But I found it to be pretty much pure entertainment, which while fine and good, is not what I personally look for in dark academia.
On a deeper level it was...lackluster? Reading the summary, one thinks that this book is going to be an exact copy of Donna Tartt's The Secret History but worse (and subbing Classics for Shakespeare)...and that is actually kind of an apt description. If We Were Villains is certainly dark academia but it seems to simply be using the aesthetic of dark academia, rather than the philosophical ethos of dark academia -- questioning institutions, privilege, the meaning of knowledge production etc. -- which is apparent in (and the purpose of) The Secret History. If We Were Villains, in my opinion, simply adds nothing to the philosophical conversation. And it isn't trying to. That's fine, but that's not what I want from a dark academia novel.
I also find that I have an uneasy relationship with this novel's relationship to queerness. For me, it felt like queerness was simultaneously demonized and exoticized as a ""dark"' ""forbidden"" ""secret"" at the root of tensions in character relationships. While other queer readers definitely have different views of the novel, I personally didn't love whatever it was the author was attempting to do with the character's sexuality.
Ultimately I did enjoy this novel! But I found it to be pretty much pure entertainment, which while fine and good, is not what I personally look for in dark academia.
mihai's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danarossa's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
Абсолютно пуста. Нудна книжка.
Це не триллер. Це 400 сторінок розмазування по тарілці двох нещасних сюжетних поворотів, які і так були очевидні.
А усі інше - це нудні розмови ні про що, нудні дії які ні до чого не приводять.
Я сподівалася, що може останні 100 сторінок зроблять так, щоб у всьому був сенс. Як було із останнім домом на безпечній вулиці
Але ні.
Тут як не було сенсу, так і не з'явилося.
Я в абсолютній ярості, бо я справді на це надіялася.
На початку авторка разів 4 наголошувала, що у Олівера алергія на крейду. І я запам'ятала це із думкою, що це заряджена зброя. Але вона ніколи не вистрілила
Це не триллер. Це 400 сторінок розмазування по тарілці двох нещасних сюжетних поворотів, які і так були очевидні.
А усі інше - це нудні розмови ні про що, нудні дії які ні до чого не приводять.
Я сподівалася, що може останні 100 сторінок зроблять так, щоб у всьому був сенс. Як було із останнім домом на безпечній вулиці
Але ні.
Тут як не було сенсу, так і не з'явилося.
Я в абсолютній ярості, бо я справді на це надіялася.
На початку авторка разів 4 наголошувала, що у Олівера алергія на крейду. І я запам'ятала це із думкою, що це заряджена зброя. Але вона ніколи не вистрілила
littlebomnal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
mlillard02'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whysomoody's review against another edition
dark
informative
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mkw1lson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow? Yeah, I think that's where I need to start with this book. Wow.
I went into this book with low expectations, which I am very glad of because I think it only improved my experience with this book. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down! I knew it would be a tragedy, you learn from the start that it is a tragedy, so I tried to keep my distance (emotionally) from these characters - that proved to be futile. While I can't say that every character of the seven was richly developed and compelling, I do think most of them are well-fleshed out and interesting. They aren't good or bad, they're simply a bunch of kids trying to navigate a difficult situation and you feel so deeply for each of them.
And yes, they are super pretentious, but that's a staple in dark academia literature so... that should not come as a surprise.
The use of Shakespeare throughout the novel and the way it is employed to parallel their lives/interpret their lives is so intriguing and interesting. It gives the reader a massive wealth of literature to turn to and pull theories from. I've seen some complaints that the book uses only popular Shakespearean works, but I think that's false. The plays they perform are certainly his more popular works, but there is much more Shakespeare referenced and used throughout the novel as well! However, keeping the plays to his more popular works, makes this book accessible for the non-Shakespeare lover as well (or, some less well-read in Shakespeare).
I had so many theories and guesses while reading this book, some of them were correct and others were not. It was so much fun guessing what had happened and trying to put together the ending. It was not a mystery, so it admittedly was not difficult to guess the ending, but it was so satisfying to reach the end and get the confirmation - to know that you know these characters well enough to figure out what was going to happen. (Admittedly I had some darker theories which I am glad did not work out).
This book will hurt you (it is a tragedy), but you will love it.
I went into this book with low expectations, which I am very glad of because I think it only improved my experience with this book. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down! I knew it would be a tragedy, you learn from the start that it is a tragedy, so I tried to keep my distance (emotionally) from these characters - that proved to be futile. While I can't say that every character of the seven was richly developed and compelling, I do think most of them are well-fleshed out and interesting. They aren't good or bad, they're simply a bunch of kids trying to navigate a difficult situation and you feel so deeply for each of them.
And yes, they are super pretentious, but that's a staple in dark academia literature so... that should not come as a surprise.
The use of Shakespeare throughout the novel and the way it is employed to parallel their lives/interpret their lives is so intriguing and interesting. It gives the reader a massive wealth of literature to turn to and pull theories from. I've seen some complaints that the book uses only popular Shakespearean works, but I think that's false. The plays they perform are certainly his more popular works, but there is much more Shakespeare referenced and used throughout the novel as well! However, keeping the plays to his more popular works, makes this book accessible for the non-Shakespeare lover as well (or, some less well-read in Shakespeare).
I had so many theories and guesses while reading this book, some of them were correct and others were not. It was so much fun guessing what had happened and trying to put together the ending. It was not a mystery, so it admittedly was not difficult to guess the ending, but it was so satisfying to reach the end and get the confirmation - to know that you know these characters well enough to figure out what was going to happen. (Admittedly I had some darker theories which I am glad did not work out).
This book will hurt you (it is a tragedy), but you will love it.
alittlegreenbean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
a bit too similar to a secret history, unfortunately. most of the characters felt almost cookie cutter in similarity. however i did enjoy the new topic of theatre and shakespeare, it was very dramatic and fun with lots of foreshadowing which is exactly what i love in dark academia books. the second half of the book felt more unique and the ending was heartbreaking!!
the gasp i gasped when we found out james was alive😭 desperate to know if oliver decided to abandon meredith yet again or go find his first lover ugh i was rooting for james x oliver the entire book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Suicide, and Addiction
st1va's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5