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A review by cindy_f
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
4.0
This novel is an homage to the writings of William Shakespeare. The chapters are even divided into Acts and Scenes. The players are seven fourth year thespians at a prestigious Classical Conservatory, told through the eyes of Oliver Marks. They are all very close and consider each other family as they are immersed in all things Shakespeare. It’s as if life was imitating art, as Oliver pondered in Scene 1. Like a Shakespeare play, there’s obsession, a tragic hero, betrayal, love, jealousy, violence.
This was a slow burn mystery and I loved it. I’m so impressed with how layered and well-constructed this is. I’m certainly not an expert on Shakespeare tragedies but I still enjoyed reading the lines. I’m glad that I finally read this novel as it’s been on my list for so long. I thought it lived up to the hype of a top tier dark academia thriller. I will definitely seek out any future novels by Rio.
This was a slow burn mystery and I loved it. I’m so impressed with how layered and well-constructed this is. I’m certainly not an expert on Shakespeare tragedies but I still enjoyed reading the lines. I’m glad that I finally read this novel as it’s been on my list for so long. I thought it lived up to the hype of a top tier dark academia thriller. I will definitely seek out any future novels by Rio.