Reviews for If We Were Villains, by M.L. Rio
blueanika's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an amazing experience. If you are going into for a puzzling mystery you might be disappointed as it is pretty easy to figure out who the “murderer” is. However, the cast of characters is what really carries the story. Every character is very interesting and larger than life. The intricate relationships they have with one another is so complex and exciting to read about. It’s all very melodramatic, but I’m a good way. After all this is a about about theatre kids. Despite the book being very heavily influenced by theatre field, it still accessible to most people.
I heavily enjoyed the atmosphere the book has as well as a lot of the tropes incorporated. The “dark academy” aesthetic, the found family, and mutual pinning are everything I love. I was definitely hooked since the first page and stayed up so late at night to finish it.
My only issue with this novel was that you have to be pretty familiar with Shakespeare to understand to get a deeper sense of what is going on and so much of the book hinges on you knowing Shakespeare. Personally, I have read few of Shakespeare’s plays (only Hamlet and Julius Caesar but, I’m familiar with Romeo and Juliet). The four main plays that were included in this book were Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear. Other plays are brief mentioned throughout the book. While I was able to follow along with the Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet parts, the other two plays were foreign to me and wasn’t really able to understand what was going on the scenes. While this is more of a personal issue, it did take away from my personal experience.
I heavily enjoyed the atmosphere the book has as well as a lot of the tropes incorporated. The “dark academy” aesthetic, the found family, and mutual pinning are everything I love. I was definitely hooked since the first page and stayed up so late at night to finish it.
My only issue with this novel was that you have to be pretty familiar with Shakespeare to understand to get a deeper sense of what is going on and so much of the book hinges on you knowing Shakespeare. Personally, I have read few of Shakespeare’s plays (only Hamlet and Julius Caesar but, I’m familiar with Romeo and Juliet). The four main plays that were included in this book were Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear. Other plays are brief mentioned throughout the book. While I was able to follow along with the Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet parts, the other two plays were foreign to me and wasn’t really able to understand what was going on the scenes. While this is more of a personal issue, it did take away from my personal experience.
kenzied's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tengwein0's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the most heartbreaking thing ive ever read and I'm literally
Speechless.
One detail I really loved was the fact that all the fourth year's did tragedies and I can't believe that was foreshadowing for the ending, and I missed it until Oliver “confessed” and went to prison for James.
Speechless.
One detail I really loved was the fact that all the fourth year's did tragedies and I can't believe that was foreshadowing for the ending, and I missed it until Oliver “confessed” and went to prison for James.
jadehall's review against another edition
5.0
omg
loved the dark academia atmosphere & the structure was beautifully executed
loved the dark academia atmosphere & the structure was beautifully executed
the_escapist's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Gore, Eating disorder, and Toxic relationship
julianreads's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
amoolia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0