Scan barcode
A review by xx_selenite
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
5.0
As time passes, I increasingly realise how much I love this book.
Starting with the characters, the author did a great job of helping us recognise them and it's hard to feel neutral towards them - except maybe from Wren and Alexander. Every time Richard is in a scene, I'm genuinely scared for the others. Meredith is probably my favourite character in the book, so much more complex than I expected. The same goes for Filippa and James, and Oliver is a figure of a romantic hero.
When I read the book again, I realised the number of foreshadowings present, proving the meticulous work of the author. Some little nothing, sentences we almost ignore the first time.
The form of the story itself following a Shakespearean tragedy is a detail that I really appreciate. The spirit of the playwright inhabits the book through the quotes but also the characters themselves. Starting the narration years later is an efficient way to create suspense, and like in a tragedy we know where this is going, but just don't know how, and even worse, we know nothing can stop it.
Finally, a brief mention of the end of the book. Another reference to Shakespeare, a bit more niche this time. I remember staring blankly at my book when I realised what it implies. And then, reading the book again.
Starting with the characters, the author did a great job of helping us recognise them and it's hard to feel neutral towards them - except maybe from Wren and Alexander. Every time Richard is in a scene, I'm genuinely scared for the others. Meredith is probably my favourite character in the book, so much more complex than I expected. The same goes for Filippa and James, and Oliver is a figure of a romantic hero.
When I read the book again, I realised the number of foreshadowings present, proving the meticulous work of the author. Some little nothing, sentences we almost ignore the first time.
Spoiler
I'm for instance thinking about the "you die in Act III" addressed to Richard.The form of the story itself following a Shakespearean tragedy is a detail that I really appreciate. The spirit of the playwright inhabits the book through the quotes but also the characters themselves. Starting the narration years later is an efficient way to create suspense, and like in a tragedy we know where this is going, but just don't know how, and even worse, we know nothing can stop it.
Finally, a brief mention of the end of the book. Another reference to Shakespeare, a bit more niche this time. I remember staring blankly at my book when I realised what it implies. And then, reading the book again.