Scan barcode
A review by sashasgarden
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
"But that is how a tragedy like ours or King Lear breaks your heart— by making sure you believe that the ending might still be happy, until the very last minute."
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Misogyny, Death, Alcohol, Drug use, and Murder