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A review by lizzymay_reads
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Although it would enhance your experience if so, you do not need to be familiar with Shakespeare’s works in order to enjoy this story.
When you begin this story you know only two things: something bad happened at Dellecher, and our narrator Oliver has served time for it.
We follow a troupe of Shakespeare devotees, actors at the school who immerse themselves in their roles. But as time goes on they have trouble separating themselves from their characters, and we slowly unravel what happened ten years ago.
Quotes from Shakespeare abound in this novel, and I would recommend having a solid understanding of Early Modern English to decipher the meaning of so many quotes. The author, however, does a fantastic job by balancing the quotes with simple yet effective prose.
All in all this story is a whirlwind of complex and interesting characters with a sense of mystery that kept me turning the pages and unable to put it down- especially close to the end. All I can say without spoiling it is that my heart aches, in a good way that has me glad I read it.
When you begin this story you know only two things: something bad happened at Dellecher, and our narrator Oliver has served time for it.
We follow a troupe of Shakespeare devotees, actors at the school who immerse themselves in their roles. But as time goes on they have trouble separating themselves from their characters, and we slowly unravel what happened ten years ago.
Quotes from Shakespeare abound in this novel, and I would recommend having a solid understanding of Early Modern English to decipher the meaning of so many quotes. The author, however, does a fantastic job by balancing the quotes with simple yet effective prose.
All in all this story is a whirlwind of complex and interesting characters with a sense of mystery that kept me turning the pages and unable to put it down- especially close to the end. All I can say without spoiling it is that my heart aches, in a good way that has me glad I read it.