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eviltwink's reviews
27 reviews
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. I know it sounds almost silly to say, as most books have a variety of different emotional climaxes, but in "If we were villains" it just felt a little closer than I've felt so far in my reading. I've felt nauseous, anxious, sad, confused, excited and intrigued consecutively throughout the book, with variations of the mixtures. Absolutely check for trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain topics like suicide, addiction and the alike.
As a background check: I love Hannibal, it's my favourite TV show to date. I am deathly afraid of psychological thrillers or any horror movies. This book has awoken the unsettling feelings, on a much smaller scale, that I got while attempting to read "The Secret History" by Donna Tarte, which I failed to finish on the sole basis of my anxiety being toyed with. Not to sound like a TikTok but, also absolutely, I am an empath and I felt a little too closely the surroundings and events unfolding.
The author did a STUNNING job on creating a tense, suspenseful and dreadful air that is consistent throughout the book and its timelines. As much as it made me feel physically ill, it also kept me reading through it and kept me engaged. I felt like I was working through my own emotions as much as the characters were.
My faults with this book have to lie fully on the characters. They felt too thin, almost as props on a theatre set, able to easily be discarded of after the show is over. They serve their purpose in the plot and in the lives of their co-stars (friends, family) but they never brought anything more than that, for me. It felt a little disappointing, even though in a way it worked for the drama-school-ness of it all. The best part for me were the dynamics and interactions between the characters. They truly felt like a big, broken family just trying their best. They made me laugh and cry with them many times.
The pacing was alright, it felt a little dry by the last 120ish pages and I felt I was only reading to find out the answer to the mystery.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The feeling of reading it will never leave me, but I think I will forget the contents of it easier than most of my other reads.
As a background check: I love Hannibal, it's my favourite TV show to date. I am deathly afraid of psychological thrillers or any horror movies. This book has awoken the unsettling feelings, on a much smaller scale, that I got while attempting to read "The Secret History" by Donna Tarte, which I failed to finish on the sole basis of my anxiety being toyed with. Not to sound like a TikTok but, also absolutely, I am an empath and I felt a little too closely the surroundings and events unfolding.
The author did a STUNNING job on creating a tense, suspenseful and dreadful air that is consistent throughout the book and its timelines. As much as it made me feel physically ill, it also kept me reading through it and kept me engaged. I felt like I was working through my own emotions as much as the characters were.
My faults with this book have to lie fully on the characters. They felt too thin, almost as props on a theatre set, able to easily be discarded of after the show is over. They serve their purpose in the plot and in the lives of their co-stars (friends, family) but they never brought anything more than that, for me. It felt a little disappointing, even though in a way it worked for the drama-school-ness of it all. The best part for me were the dynamics and interactions between the characters. They truly felt like a big, broken family just trying their best. They made me laugh and cry with them many times.
The pacing was alright, it felt a little dry by the last 120ish pages and I felt I was only reading to find out the answer to the mystery.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The feeling of reading it will never leave me, but I think I will forget the contents of it easier than most of my other reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, Addiction, Blood, and Death
Minor: Abandonment and Eating disorder
Loveless by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Fair warning: I adored this book!
I went out to my terrace at 10.30am, with a cup of coffee and this lovely book in hand, and I didn't stop reading until I finished at 15.10pm same day. Took one break for a quick lunch and a toilet break, but otherwise didn't leave my spot. I was so immersed from the first podcast excerpt that slowly brings us into the story. I'm still letting it sit and deciding what makes my heart ache over this story so much, but I can say with certainty that the base feeling is love and nothing less than.
As an ace person the way both Frances and Aled experience love and show affection really hit home for me, and I really like that we can see the inner workings of Frances thoughts during all different situations. Aleds coming out to Daniel felt so sweet and special... It wasn't anything big and showy, they were just having a sincere chat about their relationship and that is how it should, in my opinion.
I'd go more in depth but I highly recommend everyone read it !!!! It is so lovely and fun and just . overall stunning. You'll be on page 50 before you know it<3
I went out to my terrace at 10.30am, with a cup of coffee and this lovely book in hand, and I didn't stop reading until I finished at 15.10pm same day. Took one break for a quick lunch and a toilet break, but otherwise didn't leave my spot. I was so immersed from the first podcast excerpt that slowly brings us into the story. I'm still letting it sit and deciding what makes my heart ache over this story so much, but I can say with certainty that the base feeling is love and nothing less than.
As an ace person the way both Frances and Aled experience love and show affection really hit home for me, and I really like that we can see the inner workings of Frances thoughts during all different situations. Aleds coming out to Daniel felt so sweet and special... It wasn't anything big and showy, they were just having a sincere chat about their relationship and that is how it should, in my opinion.
I'd go more in depth but I highly recommend everyone read it !!!! It is so lovely and fun and just . overall stunning. You'll be on page 50 before you know it<3
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5