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A review by ayuming_reads
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had a lot of fun and mental anguish reading this book. I listened through an audiobook because the narrator helped deliver a lot of the Shakespearian lines in a way that I understood some or even all of the context of what was happening in a scene. If I was reading on my own my brain would have absolutely fogged over lol.
That being said, this book is probably one hundred times more enjoyable if you've read Shakespeare's works and understand the underlying context that is going on on and off the stage. I've only read like two or three plays, and they were so long ago that it was basically useless. I had to google a few of the plays to get an understanding of the type of cast our characters were playing.
I did love how the progression of Shakespeare plays also progressed the plot. What went on in one play was foreshadowing or metaphorical for something later on. The consistent comparison of James and Oliver with Romeo and Juliet had me screaminggggggggg.
These two were SO ANGSTY with one another oh my god. I thought I was just being delusional when I first thought James might have had feelings for Oliver, but then the most heartbreaking angst and yearning between the two plays out and you just want to scream at them!! Just fucking kiss already oh my god!!! I wish they could have been happy together. They really and truly deserved some inkle of happiness together, good God.
Also this shouldn't have been funny, but how like... obviously in love were Oliver and James? Because everyone except Oliver seemed to realize they were constantly giving one another heart eyes. Like James popping up in Ohio at 2am at Oliver's house because he was lonely?
"In tens years I have not found an adequate word to describe us."
THEY'RE KILLING ME YOUR HONOR!!!!!!!
Oliver is a very selfishly selfless person. He seems to think he's no one special, but in my opinion the entire plot of the book takes place not in spite of him, but because of him.
I didn't know what would happen until the nearing end when Oliver found the hook. After that, it became pretty clear to me that Oliver would do absolutely everything in his power to ensure that his friends remained clear of any crime. And how his stance answered Meredith's question from earlier in the book: "Are you jealous of me or him?". And then the letter at the end, once again showing that Oliver loves James more than anything. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I really love Filippa and her love and dedication to her group of friends. Truly a found family moment. And the way she didn't tell Oliver for years about James' death because she didn't want to lose him, too. I can't imagine the sorrow she felt over that.
We'll never get it but I NEED ANSWERS. NOW.
That being said, this book is probably one hundred times more enjoyable if you've read Shakespeare's works and understand the underlying context that is going on on and off the stage. I've only read like two or three plays, and they were so long ago that it was basically useless. I had to google a few of the plays to get an understanding of the type of cast our characters were playing.
These two were SO ANGSTY with one another oh my god. I thought I was just being delusional when I first thought James might have had feelings for Oliver, but then the most heartbreaking angst and yearning between the two plays out and you just want to scream at them!! Just fucking kiss already oh my god!!! I wish they could have been happy together. They really and truly deserved some inkle of happiness together, good God.
Also this shouldn't have been funny, but how like... obviously in love were Oliver and James? Because everyone except Oliver seemed to realize they were constantly giving one another heart eyes. Like James popping up in Ohio at 2am at Oliver's house because he was lonely?
"In tens years I have not found an adequate word to describe us."
THEY'RE KILLING ME YOUR HONOR!!!!!!!
Oliver is a very selfishly selfless person. He seems to think he's no one special, but in my opinion the entire plot of the book takes place not in spite of him, but because of him.
I didn't know what would happen until the nearing end when Oliver found the hook. After that, it became pretty clear to me that Oliver would do absolutely everything in his power to ensure that his friends remained clear of any crime. And how his stance answered Meredith's question from earlier in the book: "Are you jealous of me or him?". And then the letter at the end, once again showing that Oliver loves James more than anything. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I really love Filippa and her love and dedication to her group of friends. Truly a found family moment. And the way she didn't tell Oliver for years about James' death because she didn't want to lose him, too. I can't imagine the sorrow she felt over that.
We'll never get it but I NEED ANSWERS. NOW.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia