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maryy_r0se's reviews
16 reviews
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"I'm the one you didn't kill."
•
It’s 1982. Viv Delaney works the night shift in the Sun Down Motel. At least, she does until one night when she disappears and becomes another name on a long list of murdered woman from Fell, NY.
It’s 2017. Carly Kirk works the night shift at the Sun Down Motel. After the death of her mother, she impulsively moved to Fell, NY, desperately trying to find answers to her aunt Viv’s tragic disappearance.
Last October, I decided to read only spooky books, and I discovered so many good ones. This was no exception. I know The Broken Girls got a lot of hype, but this was the first Simone St. James book that I read, and I can’t wait to explore more!
I’ve always thought that supernatural horror works best when it has a strong emotional core. After all, isn’t there something deeply sad and tragically sentimental about ghosts walking the earth or a place being haunted? This book firmly captured that emotional core, which was one if its strongest assets. Also the setting was immaculate. I mean seriously, a nearly abandoned motel? What a perfect and positively eerie use of a liminal space; people drift in and drift out but never really stay (and sometimes, never really leave). I read some of this book at night in an almost empty diner, which was absolutely optimal reading conditions for this story.
Usually in books that have different timelines I find myself preferring the whichever timeline is older, but I thought the 2017 timeline was just as strong as the 1982 one. I would highly recommend this book, especially for true crime enthusiasts, fans of 80s horror, and anyone looking for a contemporary and nuanced take on the classic ghost story.
•
It’s 1982. Viv Delaney works the night shift in the Sun Down Motel. At least, she does until one night when she disappears and becomes another name on a long list of murdered woman from Fell, NY.
It’s 2017. Carly Kirk works the night shift at the Sun Down Motel. After the death of her mother, she impulsively moved to Fell, NY, desperately trying to find answers to her aunt Viv’s tragic disappearance.
Last October, I decided to read only spooky books, and I discovered so many good ones. This was no exception. I know The Broken Girls got a lot of hype, but this was the first Simone St. James book that I read, and I can’t wait to explore more!
I’ve always thought that supernatural horror works best when it has a strong emotional core. After all, isn’t there something deeply sad and tragically sentimental about ghosts walking the earth or a place being haunted? This book firmly captured that emotional core, which was one if its strongest assets. Also the setting was immaculate. I mean seriously, a nearly abandoned motel? What a perfect and positively eerie use of a liminal space; people drift in and drift out but never really stay (and sometimes, never really leave). I read some of this book at night in an almost empty diner, which was absolutely optimal reading conditions for this story.
Usually in books that have different timelines I find myself preferring the whichever timeline is older, but I thought the 2017 timeline was just as strong as the 1982 one. I would highly recommend this book, especially for true crime enthusiasts, fans of 80s horror, and anyone looking for a contemporary and nuanced take on the classic ghost story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, and Stalking
There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Someday, their story would be a chapter in one of those sleazy, mass-market, true crime paperbacks that were shelved in the cobwebbed corners of used bookstores - the types of paperbacks that boasted about the number of crime scene photographs inside.”
A year ago, Makani Young moved to Nebraska to escape her past in Hawaii. When her classmates begin to be brutally murdered, Makani is forced to reckon with her past and stop the killer before it’s too late.
In October, I decided to read only spooky books. I had heard a lot of good things about this one, so I decided to give it a try. This was a quick read that I definitely had fun with! A lot of the other books I read that month were much harsher, so this was a nice breather. I didn’t realize until I checked it out that this is a YA book. I don’t read much YA, and I can’t remember ever reading a YA horror/thriller book, so it definitely took some getting used to. I also did not realize that this author is best known for her romance books; the romance plotline in this book, which I expected to just be a little side plot, took up much more of the book than I would personally prefer. All that said, I did enjoy reading it, but I don’t think I was the target audience. I think this could be a really great read for a young person just getting into horror, or someone looking for a horror book that is less graphic than typical adult horror. This might also be a good option for someone who loves romance but wants something spooky to read.
I have heard varying reactions regarding how the white author handles the main character’s multiracial identity. As a white person, I will not offer any opinion on this aspect, other than to encourage you to seek out multiracial reviewers to hear their perspectives.
A year ago, Makani Young moved to Nebraska to escape her past in Hawaii. When her classmates begin to be brutally murdered, Makani is forced to reckon with her past and stop the killer before it’s too late.
In October, I decided to read only spooky books. I had heard a lot of good things about this one, so I decided to give it a try. This was a quick read that I definitely had fun with! A lot of the other books I read that month were much harsher, so this was a nice breather. I didn’t realize until I checked it out that this is a YA book. I don’t read much YA, and I can’t remember ever reading a YA horror/thriller book, so it definitely took some getting used to. I also did not realize that this author is best known for her romance books; the romance plotline in this book, which I expected to just be a little side plot, took up much more of the book than I would personally prefer. All that said, I did enjoy reading it, but I don’t think I was the target audience. I think this could be a really great read for a young person just getting into horror, or someone looking for a horror book that is less graphic than typical adult horror. This might also be a good option for someone who loves romance but wants something spooky to read.
I have heard varying reactions regarding how the white author handles the main character’s multiracial identity. As a white person, I will not offer any opinion on this aspect, other than to encourage you to seek out multiracial reviewers to hear their perspectives.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“I lack formal education. So I'm left with the feeling that I'm smarter than everyone around me but that if I ever got around really smart people—people who went to universities and drank wine and spoke Latin—that they’d be bored as hell by me. It’s a lonely way to go through life.”
For years, she’s been working as a phony medium as a front for her sex work. She doesn’t believe in what she’s doing, but she’s mastered the art of being observant and vague enough to trick clients into believing that her medium skills are real. When a client named Susan offers her money to come cleanse her house of the evil spirits she fears are possessing her stepson, the woman cannot turn down the opportunity. After all, spirits aren’t real…but perhaps evil is.
Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite authors; during my decade long reading slump, her books were some of the only ones to really grab my interest. This was the only book of hers that I had not read, so when I decide to read only horror/thriller books this October, I was excited to finally give it a read.
I was truly impressed by how much this novella accomplished in such a short amount of pages. As with all Gillian Flynn books, the characters are morally complex and the story is twisted enough to keep you guessing until the last page. Because the book is so short, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it tackled issues of social class. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a short but twisted read.
For years, she’s been working as a phony medium as a front for her sex work. She doesn’t believe in what she’s doing, but she’s mastered the art of being observant and vague enough to trick clients into believing that her medium skills are real. When a client named Susan offers her money to come cleanse her house of the evil spirits she fears are possessing her stepson, the woman cannot turn down the opportunity. After all, spirits aren’t real…but perhaps evil is.
Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite authors; during my decade long reading slump, her books were some of the only ones to really grab my interest. This was the only book of hers that I had not read, so when I decide to read only horror/thriller books this October, I was excited to finally give it a read.
I was truly impressed by how much this novella accomplished in such a short amount of pages. As with all Gillian Flynn books, the characters are morally complex and the story is twisted enough to keep you guessing until the last page. Because the book is so short, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it tackled issues of social class. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a short but twisted read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Vomit
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
Blind Eye by Martha Burns, Martha Burns
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
“There is this boy, just started the sixth grade. He’s bright as daylight but lives in fear of his own folks. Look out for him and spread the word.”
*I was gifted this book in exchange for a fair review.*
When Luke Pruitt and his wife are found dead, suspicions immediately rest on his teenage son, Leeland. Everyone in their small, Western town knew Leeland was being abused, yet no one interceded. Following the Pruitt family through 3 generations, Blind Eye explores what happens when we ignore abuse and allow people to suffer at the hands of others.
What a heartbreaking read. With strong messages about the cycle of abuse and the bystander effect, this book was heavy but powerful. Perhaps my favorite part of this book was the use of “we” in the narration. Including the reader in the book was such an effective way to incorporate the themes of the bystander effect in situations of abuse.
I also loved how meaningfully the author choose which perspectives to feature and when. Sometimes books that switch perspectives feel disjointed, but it was obvious that the author pointedly chose whose story to feature and when, and (without giving too much away) withholding certain perspectives for extended periods of time really built the tension. I felt like I was desperately waiting the entire book to hear from Leeland, and keeping that tension going until the end was a stunning choice.
If you’re an interactive reader like me, you might want to try drawing up a timeline as you read this! I love the nonlinear format, and I think that would have really added to my experience reading this.
Overall, I would recommend this book to individuals who are interested in a dark read with a unique setting and writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Vomit
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Well. I guess we should start with the good parts. Unfortunately, there aren't many.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"Her thoughts speed up and become less rational; her mind makes fantastic leaps. It's not that things don't make sense to her when she's like this — sometimes they make 'more' sense. They make sense the way dreams do. It's only when the dream is over that you see how odd it all was, how it actually didn't make sense at all."
When Marco and Anne come home from a dinner party to find their baby daughter missing, their world is turned upside-down. Unsure what is true or who to trust, the couple must try to somehow get their baby back before it's too late.
When Marco and Anne come home from a dinner party to find their baby daughter missing, their world is turned upside-down. Unsure what is true or who to trust, the couple must try to somehow get their baby back before it's too late.
Well. I guess we should start with the good parts. Unfortunately, there aren't many.
This book definitely kept my interest. It was a very quick read. Anne was overall a decent main character and relatively sympathetic. It was clear that the author spent much more time developing her than the other two main narrators. Cynthia and Alice had potential as well, but it never amounted to much.
Now my issues. This story is about the kidnapping of a baby, yet somehow the stakes always feel low, even when they absolutely shouldn’t. Marco is about as interesting as a flat tire and as sympathetic as a mosquito bite. He’s the less interesting version of Nick Dunne. Even his scandals, which are objectively bad, feel boring because he’s such a charisma vacuum. Detective Rasbach is a complete caricature of the “no nonsense” detective. I honestly don’t know why he was a primary narrator. His narration adds little, and maybe if we weren’t able to follow his thoughts the story could have built more tension. There’s a flicker of interest with this character near the end, when we learn that he grew up blue collar and this affects the way he investigates the case of this extremely wealthy family. Where was this story?? Suddenly Rasbach is slightly interesting, but this disclosure amounts to be nothing more than a few throwaway lines.
Richard also felt like a cartoon. Alice was almost interesting, but we got so little of her that it didn’t amount to much. While Cynthia had potential, she was ultimately lifeless and lacked direction. Her blatant hatred of children felt truly outlandish. Some twists surprised me, but none of them shocked me. The writing style wasn’t necessarily bad, but definitely wasn’t for me. If the book was written in present tense to build some sort of urgency, it certainly failed. All it did was distract.
But by far my biggest problem with this book is it’s downright offensive handling of mental illness. Anne is struggling with postpartum depression. On several occasions, the book assures the audience that postpartum depression does not automatically lead to harming a child. Okay. Great.
So what’s the issue?
This book goes out of its way to make sure the reader knows that Anne has postpartum depression, not postpartum psychosis. See, postpartum depression doesn’t mean you’re dangerous, but postpartum psychosis, oh boy. All three of the book’s narrators explicitly express that postpartum psychosis makes someone dangerous, and nothing ever counters this statement. I thought this might be addressed when the story progresses and it becomes clear that Anne’s mental illness extends beyond postpartum depression. Nope. Instead we find out that her dissociation caused her to attacked a classmate in high school and also she probably hits her baby. Oh, and then she murders Cynthia. All while dissociating. So according to this book, not only will psychosis make you drown your babies, but dissociation will make you stab your neighbor.
This book in general was just hugely disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse and Infidelity
Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Sisters never stand a chance to be friends. We're pitted against each other from the moment we are born. A daughter is a treasure. Two is a tax.”
Jayne has always had a tenuous relationship with her older sister June. Even now, after both women moved from Texas to New York City, they are barely in contact. Until one day, when June tracks down Jayne in a restaurant and delivers some crushing news. Now, Jayne must help her sister, all while suppressing a secret that threatens to tear her apart.
Maybe it’s because I have an older sister or because I’ve struggled with mental illness or because my college experience felt very isolating. Or maybe this book is just really really really great. But something about it hit me like a ton of bricks. It surpassed every expectation I had and is currently one of the best books I read this year. This book offers incredibly nuanced takes on sisterhood, family, illness, isolation, and mental health, as well as insight into immigration and culture.
I also really respect the way this author handled the topic of eating disorders. It isn’t easy to responsibly write about that topic, especially in a book marketed towards young people, but this book more than succeeded. There is one graphic eating disorder scene near the book’s end, but it is not portrayed in a glamorized way at all and the importance of recovery is emphasized. I really fell in love with this book, and I highly recommend it.
Jayne has always had a tenuous relationship with her older sister June. Even now, after both women moved from Texas to New York City, they are barely in contact. Until one day, when June tracks down Jayne in a restaurant and delivers some crushing news. Now, Jayne must help her sister, all while suppressing a secret that threatens to tear her apart.
Maybe it’s because I have an older sister or because I’ve struggled with mental illness or because my college experience felt very isolating. Or maybe this book is just really really really great. But something about it hit me like a ton of bricks. It surpassed every expectation I had and is currently one of the best books I read this year. This book offers incredibly nuanced takes on sisterhood, family, illness, isolation, and mental health, as well as insight into immigration and culture.
I also really respect the way this author handled the topic of eating disorders. It isn’t easy to responsibly write about that topic, especially in a book marketed towards young people, but this book more than succeeded. There is one graphic eating disorder scene near the book’s end, but it is not portrayed in a glamorized way at all and the importance of recovery is emphasized. I really fell in love with this book, and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Cancer
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, and Vomit
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
“I think we ought to live happily ever after.”
18-year-old Sophie Hatter’s life takes an unexpected turn when a curse from a witch transforms her into an old woman. Seeing no other option, Sophie abandons her position at her family’s hat shop and leaves to explore the countryside. In another unexpected turn, she ends up taking shelter within the notorious wizard Howl’s enchanted castle, where she begins working as a maid. Sophie finds herself pulled into a world of enchantments, witchcraft, demons, and political entanglements.
This is your sign to try a book in a genre you don’t typically read! I don’t read fantasy often, but when I do, I love books that have a comforting, fairytale sort of mood. This book felt like a warm hug. I gave it a shot because my partner loves it and I love the Ghibli adaptation, and I’m so glad I did. The characters were lovable and endearing, the Sophie/Howl dynamic was fun and enjoyable, and the setting was just gorgeous. My favorite part was probably the trip to Wales; it really informed the rest of the setting and was such an interesting interlude. This book has inspired me to give more fantasy books a chance, and I definitely want to read the sequels.
18-year-old Sophie Hatter’s life takes an unexpected turn when a curse from a witch transforms her into an old woman. Seeing no other option, Sophie abandons her position at her family’s hat shop and leaves to explore the countryside. In another unexpected turn, she ends up taking shelter within the notorious wizard Howl’s enchanted castle, where she begins working as a maid. Sophie finds herself pulled into a world of enchantments, witchcraft, demons, and political entanglements.
This is your sign to try a book in a genre you don’t typically read! I don’t read fantasy often, but when I do, I love books that have a comforting, fairytale sort of mood. This book felt like a warm hug. I gave it a shot because my partner loves it and I love the Ghibli adaptation, and I’m so glad I did. The characters were lovable and endearing, the Sophie/Howl dynamic was fun and enjoyable, and the setting was just gorgeous. My favorite part was probably the trip to Wales; it really informed the rest of the setting and was such an interesting interlude. This book has inspired me to give more fantasy books a chance, and I definitely want to read the sequels.
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Don’t find yourself regretting this. You’re much too young to haunt your own life.”
In the early 1900s, a series of gruesome deaths occurrs at the the Brookhants School for Girls. Speculation runs rampant that these deaths are somehow connected to The Story of Mary MacLane, a radical new book that has several of the students transfixed. Headmistress Libbie Brookhants and teacher Alexandra Trills are stuck trying to protect the girls (and trying to protect themselves.) In present-day, Merritt Emmons’ book about Brookhants is being adapted into a movie starring queer superstar Harper Harper and former child actress Audrey Wells. The women go to Brookhants to film and find its history is still alive.
This book was incredibly ambitious, and to me it more than succeeded. Despite being over 600 pages, I found myself wishing it was even longer because I enjoyed it so much and would have loved to learn even more about the school’s lore. The narration style and use of footnotes was so unique, and I fell in love with the characters (Audrey and Libbie were my personal faves!) After hearing this book somehow combined gothic, horror, comedy, and dark academia (and had all sapphic main characters), I had very high expectations, and I was elated to find that this book surpassed them. The tone is very unique and it certainly takes some getting used to, but I had such a fun time with this one.
(Aside from the content warnings mentioned below, this book also has a lot of horror surrounding wasps, so if you have any sort of wasp or bee phobia you may want to tread carefully!)
In the early 1900s, a series of gruesome deaths occurrs at the the Brookhants School for Girls. Speculation runs rampant that these deaths are somehow connected to The Story of Mary MacLane, a radical new book that has several of the students transfixed. Headmistress Libbie Brookhants and teacher Alexandra Trills are stuck trying to protect the girls (and trying to protect themselves.) In present-day, Merritt Emmons’ book about Brookhants is being adapted into a movie starring queer superstar Harper Harper and former child actress Audrey Wells. The women go to Brookhants to film and find its history is still alive.
This book was incredibly ambitious, and to me it more than succeeded. Despite being over 600 pages, I found myself wishing it was even longer because I enjoyed it so much and would have loved to learn even more about the school’s lore. The narration style and use of footnotes was so unique, and I fell in love with the characters (Audrey and Libbie were my personal faves!) After hearing this book somehow combined gothic, horror, comedy, and dark academia (and had all sapphic main characters), I had very high expectations, and I was elated to find that this book surpassed them. The tone is very unique and it certainly takes some getting used to, but I had such a fun time with this one.
(Aside from the content warnings mentioned below, this book also has a lot of horror surrounding wasps, so if you have any sort of wasp or bee phobia you may want to tread carefully!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Gore, Murder, Sexual assault, and Vomit
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
“Love, frail as gossamer, stitched together from a thousand songs and a thousand comic books, made of the dialogue spoken in films and the posters designed by ad agencies: love was what she lived for.”
It’s the 1970s in Mexico City. Elvis, a boy who hates violence and loves rock ‘n’ roll, finds himself involved with the Hawks, a group aiming to suppress young political activists. Meanwhile Maite, a secretary, daydreams of an exciting and romantic life that couldn’t be further from her own. When Maite’s neighbor goes missing, Elvis and Maite’s lives begin to unexpectedly intertwine.
This and Mexican Gothic have really solidified Silvia Moreno-Garcia as one of my new favorite authors. She is such an expert at creating the perfect atmosphere, and I love how this book twists together at the end. A main criticism I have seen for this book is that the main characters aren’t likable. This is really funny to me because I find Maite so intensely relatable. She is certainly flawed, but in a way that resonates strongly with me. I love how she seems so unlike the type of characters we typically associate with “noir.” I also appreciate how different she was from Noemí in Mexican Gothic. Noemí was cool and glamorous; Maite was plain and awkward. Noemí is the kind of girl I wish I was; Maite is the kind of girl I actually am. It is a testament to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing that she can create two such different characters with such nuance.
I would certainly recommend this one. If you’re struggling at all with the historical context, I would check out the author’s book kit. It gives a lot of historical context that I found super helpful! (I also recommend listening to the playlist for this one because the songs add so much to the atmosphere.)
It’s the 1970s in Mexico City. Elvis, a boy who hates violence and loves rock ‘n’ roll, finds himself involved with the Hawks, a group aiming to suppress young political activists. Meanwhile Maite, a secretary, daydreams of an exciting and romantic life that couldn’t be further from her own. When Maite’s neighbor goes missing, Elvis and Maite’s lives begin to unexpectedly intertwine.
This and Mexican Gothic have really solidified Silvia Moreno-Garcia as one of my new favorite authors. She is such an expert at creating the perfect atmosphere, and I love how this book twists together at the end. A main criticism I have seen for this book is that the main characters aren’t likable. This is really funny to me because I find Maite so intensely relatable. She is certainly flawed, but in a way that resonates strongly with me. I love how she seems so unlike the type of characters we typically associate with “noir.” I also appreciate how different she was from Noemí in Mexican Gothic. Noemí was cool and glamorous; Maite was plain and awkward. Noemí is the kind of girl I wish I was; Maite is the kind of girl I actually am. It is a testament to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing that she can create two such different characters with such nuance.
I would certainly recommend this one. If you’re struggling at all with the historical context, I would check out the author’s book kit. It gives a lot of historical context that I found super helpful! (I also recommend listening to the playlist for this one because the songs add so much to the atmosphere.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
“She could tempt anyone, but Fate didn’t seem like a good target.”
It’s been ten years since Oliver’s senior year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where he was one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare. Ten years since something in the group snapped and fractured beyond repair, and Oliver ended up incarcerated. Upon his release, the detective who worked his case is still looking for answers, and Oliver finds himself back where it all went wrong.
It feels a bit poetic that this book singlehandedly got me out of a reading slump that lasted almost 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. This book drew me in right from the beginning, and I couldn’t put it down. I tend to gravitate more to characters than to plot, and the characters in this book were fantastic. Filippa and Meredith were my personal favorites, but they were all so layered and brought something unique to the story. The author has a background in theatre and it is very clear, not just in her Shakespearean references but in her understanding of the ethical dilemmas often apparent in theatre instruction. As a massive theatre fan, I found that aspect of the book very compelling.
I often hear this book compared to The Secret History. I see why people say that, but I find the comparisons very surface level. I’ve seen a lot of people reluctant to read this for that reason, but as someone who loves both, I wouldn’t let your opinion of Secret History affect your decision to try this. There are some thematic crossovers, but the themes are tackled very differently, and If We Were Villains takes a far less cynical approach to dark academia.
I really loved this book, and I will be eternally grateful that it rescued me from a decade of sporadic reading and unfinished books.
It’s been ten years since Oliver’s senior year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where he was one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare. Ten years since something in the group snapped and fractured beyond repair, and Oliver ended up incarcerated. Upon his release, the detective who worked his case is still looking for answers, and Oliver finds himself back where it all went wrong.
It feels a bit poetic that this book singlehandedly got me out of a reading slump that lasted almost 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. This book drew me in right from the beginning, and I couldn’t put it down. I tend to gravitate more to characters than to plot, and the characters in this book were fantastic. Filippa and Meredith were my personal favorites, but they were all so layered and brought something unique to the story. The author has a background in theatre and it is very clear, not just in her Shakespearean references but in her understanding of the ethical dilemmas often apparent in theatre instruction. As a massive theatre fan, I found that aspect of the book very compelling.
I often hear this book compared to The Secret History. I see why people say that, but I find the comparisons very surface level. I’ve seen a lot of people reluctant to read this for that reason, but as someone who loves both, I wouldn’t let your opinion of Secret History affect your decision to try this. There are some thematic crossovers, but the themes are tackled very differently, and If We Were Villains takes a far less cynical approach to dark academia.
I really loved this book, and I will be eternally grateful that it rescued me from a decade of sporadic reading and unfinished books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Violence