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A review by pixiebix
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
If We Were Villains is certainly no masterpiece (I begrudge its constant comparison to The Secret History, but can understand, based on its backdrop and basic framework, why), but suspend your disbelief, and it is definitely fun, addictive, and a huge page-turner.
This is one of those compulsive reads that doesn’t quite hold up to scrutiny, but is really entertaining—and I’m kind of okay with that. I suppose my one area of real annoyance was the fact that the stakes never really felt very high (even though they were) because it was so clear how everything was going to go from the onset. Plus, the characters are caricatures (perhaps intentionally), cast into their roles from the getgo and ultimately being derailed in, again, a very predictable way.
Regardless, this book felt really effortless and enjoyable, and I was entertained by it. There are many things I’d do to change that ending (not because it was heartbreaking but because it was so bloody underwhelming) but… we don’t talk about that.
This is one of those compulsive reads that doesn’t quite hold up to scrutiny, but is really entertaining—and I’m kind of okay with that. I suppose my one area of real annoyance was the fact that the stakes never really felt very high (even though they were) because it was so clear how everything was going to go from the onset. Plus, the characters are caricatures (perhaps intentionally), cast into their roles from the getgo and ultimately being derailed in, again, a very predictable way.
Regardless, this book felt really effortless and enjoyable, and I was entertained by it. There are many things I’d do to change that ending (not because it was heartbreaking but because it was so bloody underwhelming) but… we don’t talk about that.