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sashasgarden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If We Were Villains tells the story of Oliver, an ex convict that was just now released from jail. He recalls that which got him there in the first place; it was murder.
I'd say that the book may be a comfort book for me, since it handles different topics that I love: theatre, murder, and betrayal.
We are told the story through Oliver's eyes, which means things can get subjective really quickly. Going back to his college years, we are introduced to Oliver's university friends, and recurrent characters in the annual Shakespeare plays:
The hero, the sweetheart, the antagonist, the tyrant, the femme fatale, and the sidekick.
Now, roles are established, the stage is set. Right? No. Let's turn everything upside down.
What happens when their assigned roles take a turn in real life? When the antagonist is no longer an antagonist, and the hero is no longer a hero?
A murder takes place in that prestigious theatre college, and the victim is the only person nobody thought possible. There is mistrust, there is conflict and mixed emotions as the characters begin to question everything they know about their friends— and about themselves.
Narrative-wise, If We Were Villains has a solid plot, full of mystery and twists along the way. It's the part I liked the most, other than the relationship between our main character and those he loves (no, we don't get focus on all the friends within the group; that's the negative side to it).
I thoroughly enjoyed the read, being a theatre kid myself. Their incessant quoting of Shakespeare didn't throw me off. It's a way they find to communicate with each other; people may relate to that way of reasoning.
It's a book with an open end, I'll say that much. But definitely worth a read if you like a partial murder mystery... with some forbidden romance sprinkled on the side.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Alcohol, Drug use, and Murder
lialovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Moderate: Eating disorder
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Biphobia, Body shaming, Blood, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Addiction, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Transphobia, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Mental illness, and Outing
b0ygenius's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Murder, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Body horror, Bullying, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Eating disorder and Cursing
li_reading's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
With characters you cannot help but love, while driving you to hair-pulling frustration, Rio weaves the line of morality wonderfully. As the characters are drawn into the world of Shakespeare, you are drawn into theirs.
Just when you think you have it figured out, Rio pulls the rug out from under you, time and time again, ending with a finale that will leave you in a daze.
The intricacies of language Rio uses tell the reader exactly what is going to happen, while still maintaining tension, is genius. Upon re-reading the book you will find yourself laughing out loud at how boldly she spelled it all out.
If We Were Villains is a book you can sink your teeth into, and I intend to, many times over.
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Body horror, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Classism, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Drug use, Mental illness, Addiction, Suicide, and Physical abuse
Minor: Confinement, Animal death, Racism, Rape, and Eating disorder
emmacartlidge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Drug abuse, Violence, Suicide, and Grief
sofipitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Again, I enjoyed this in that it was entertaining but I expected more.
Graphic: Alcohol and Drug use
Moderate: Murder and Suicide attempt
Minor: Misogyny, Body shaming, Homophobia, and Violence
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Confinement, Drug use, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Sexism, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Vomit, Suicide, Biphobia, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Rape, Transphobia, and Infidelity
Slut shaming. Overdose (non-graphic, non-POV character). Date rape/assault "jokes"; various bigoted comments and similes (one use of the G slur, "sex change" joke, descriptions such as "like a slave trader at auction" and "savage tribal drum beat"). Weird handling of EDs and addiction.evnfig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Body horror
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, Suicide, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Eating disorder and Mental illness
thevieira's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Death, Violence, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Grief, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Misogyny, Suicide, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Body shaming, and Sexual content