A review by lifeofchrstnlvly
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm rating this 3 stars because 1) I don't think the characters were fleshed out enough (-0.5 star), 2) it was boring (-0.5 star), and 3) it's a rip-off of The Secret History (-1 star). I would've rated it lower, but I'm trying to be more objective.

CHARACTERS
There is a lack of constant characterization. Oh, so this Richard is bad and abusive to his friends. Why? There's no reason. He's just bad. There is no need to discuss what made him that way. For a book that is so engrossed in quoting Shakespeare, I found it odd that you can't even find the time to explain the hows and whys. Disappointingly, the author did not explore or bother to explain what made them the way they were (their younger years were only told in passing). This is important for books that are character-focused. Why were the characters not fleshed out enough?

Before starting this book, I kept thinking I would not compare it to The Secret History. However, it's difficult not to, since the book clearly is a The Secret History wannabe. Case in point: If We Were Villains as The Secret History characters:
  • Oliver = Richard
  • Richard = Henry + Bunny
  • Alexander = Charles
  • James = Francis
  • Meredith = Camilla

ATTENTION
I kept falling asleep whenever I read it. It was the trying-hard writing, the one that tried so hard to make it dark academia and a thriller that bored me to death. Also, it was the unnecessary quoting of Shakespeare to the point that instead of trying to decipher what they were talking about, I found myself skimming the pages because it was way. too. much. I know they are "theatre kids," and they are "die hard Shakespeare fans," but come on. No one talks like that.

RIP-OFF
People saying If We Were Villians is THE dark academia book? Nope. It's The Secret History. I read somewhere that this is "The Secret History for Dummies edition," and I'm so sorry... that's a perfect description of this book. I must admit that because it's a copycat of The Secret History, it's more accessible to readers (which is the main reason why, in my personal opinion, this is highly rated by people). 

If I'll recommend a true dark academia book, it's The Secret History. It has more fleshed out characters, and it's the original/mother/blueprint of dark academia. Why settle for less?

It's a good thing I kept my copy pristine. I can easily sell or donate my copy (yes, I hated it that much).
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