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eeisol's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
fosterfish's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
desireeslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the moody/dark academia vibes and how atmospheric the story was. I enjoyed that the chapters were organized in acts and scenes like a Shakespearean play and the parallels between the plays and the real world. However, I was NOT a fan of the incessant Shakespeare quotes. I have such mixed feelings about this book. I feel like it had so much potential and the way the story was written (minus the literal chunks of Shakespeare) was beautiful. But, I was bored. I didn't really get thriller vibes, it was more of a melodrama. The ending was super underwhelming and all of the characters fell flat for me and were very one-note, Oliver being the least interesting. Overall, just too much Shakespeare, not enough murder.
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
• ModernMrsDarcy.com #MMD book club pick for September 2021 #MMDBookClub
Source: https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/3571/if-we-were-villains
“Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.
As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.”
Source: https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/3571/if-we-were-villains
“Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.
As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.”
bobeetle's review against another edition
3.0
Intrigue was good but…
I like the whole story and the intrigue inside the academia was really good. But at some point I was annoyed with the dialogue using Shakespear’s. Also I’m kind of disappointed by the end.
I like the whole story and the intrigue inside the academia was really good. But at some point I was annoyed with the dialogue using Shakespear’s. Also I’m kind of disappointed by the end.
hollabackrolls's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sign language interpreter and do a lot of work with Shakespeare, so a friend of mine recommended this to me. Wasn’t too sure what to expect going in, but this was a fun ride. I won’t lie, the characters all annoyed me and I couldn’t stand how they spoke in Shakespearian prose to each other, but the plot was unique and made you think. I don’t think this was really for me, but it’s something i completely get the hype for!
vivlia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
maddyzell03's review against another edition
4.0
I overall was really engaged with this book. Yeah there were parts here and there that I didn’t like and the people that say that this is a less developed version of the secret history have a point. the ending crushed me a little, but I did read a fan fiction with an alternative ending that I personally liked much better and fit very well. Really enjoyed the tension that was created.
cindy_freez's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is an homage to the writings of William Shakespeare. The chapters are even divided into Acts and Scenes. The players are seven fourth year thespians at a prestigious Classical Conservatory, told through the eyes of Oliver Marks. They are all very close and consider each other family as they are immersed in all things Shakespeare. It’s as if life was imitating art, as Oliver pondered in Scene 1. Like a Shakespeare play, there’s obsession, a tragic hero, betrayal, love, jealousy, violence.
This was a slow burn mystery and I loved it. I’m so impressed with how layered and well-constructed this is. I’m certainly not an expert on Shakespeare tragedies but I still enjoyed reading the lines. I’m glad that I finally read this novel as it’s been on my list for so long. I thought it lived up to the hype of a top tier dark academia thriller. I will definitely seek out any future novels by Rio.
This was a slow burn mystery and I loved it. I’m so impressed with how layered and well-constructed this is. I’m certainly not an expert on Shakespeare tragedies but I still enjoyed reading the lines. I’m glad that I finally read this novel as it’s been on my list for so long. I thought it lived up to the hype of a top tier dark academia thriller. I will definitely seek out any future novels by Rio.
sian_c's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0