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fionamclary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
This book is beautifully written, and the threads of plot and character are expertly entwined and spooled out. The queer love triangle (arguably square, or even pentagon) slowly takes center stage with all the satisfaction of any good tragedy.
I just wish that the book had explored earlier times more. It is a staple of this genre to show the Golden Days, before everything went wrong, even if there were always hints of darkness. (Think The Secret History, or Babel.) For the first part of the book I was distracted by wondering what the dynamic of the seven was before 4th year, if something changed and why, and if they had ever been more than seven, given that we are told that Dellecher regularly cuts students from the program every year. It made the beginning of the story feel rather abrupt and meager, although this issue became increasingly less prominent as the story progressed.
In summary, I am gay and sad and relieved that I stopped being a theater kid in high school.
I just wish that the book had explored earlier times more. It is a staple of this genre to show the Golden Days, before everything went wrong, even if there were always hints of darkness. (Think The Secret History, or Babel.) For the first part of the book I was distracted by wondering what the dynamic of the seven was before 4th year, if something changed and why, and if they had ever been more than seven, given that we are told that Dellecher regularly cuts students from the program every year. It made the beginning of the story feel rather abrupt and meager, although this issue became increasingly less prominent as the story progressed.
In summary, I am gay and sad and relieved that I stopped being a theater kid in high school.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Vomit, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Brief depiction of a drug overdosemelaeki's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
stardustedb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
thesapphire's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Suicide
tellatrix's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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Disclaimer: I'm sadly unable to write a review without including spoilers, so please read this only after you've finished the book.
Wowāwhat a ride this book was! I really enjoyed it, and I read every chapter with complete excitement. I never got tired of it, not once. One of my favorite parts was the Shakespearean plays within the story, where youāre never sure if the charactersā "acting" is just acting or real violence. Iām not sure if this was intentional, but I already suspected that James was responsible for Richardās death in some way, so that reveal didnāt surprise me much. I was hoping for a bit more mystery or shock in that part of the story.
However, the ending totally caught me off guard and made the entire journey worth it. I know some people donāt like the ambiguity about Jamesās fate, but I strongly believe heās still alive. Faking his own death and leaving Oliver a clue to find him just feels like something James would do. Plus, if you get to know his character, youād probably agree he doesnāt have the courage to harm himself, let alone drown himself in a lake.
As for James and Oliverās relationship, I wish we had seen more of them together. More interactions, a deeper look into their feelings. The first thing I did after finishing was search for a sequel, because I wanted to see them finally happy together. On the other hand, James and Meredithās relationship seemed to be built on jealousy. Both were desperate to control or prove themselves as the better option for Oliver, but they didnāt genuinely like each other.
And yes, Oliver does love James, as he admits himself, and maybe he has feelings for Meredith too, but itās just not the same kind of love. Thereās something deeper with James, while with Meredith it feels different, less profound.
Overall, If We Were Villains was a great experience with well-developed characters and an engaging story. The mystery didnāt surprise me much, but the ending and the complex relationships made up for it. I still wish there were a sequel, though!
Now, for my favorite quote from the book:
āItās not the whole truth. The whole truth is, Iām in love with him still.ā
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
emily_therese_4's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
vix682's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ML Rio definitely can write a multiple character story if given the pages.
Let me start by saying, I am so sorry for Meredith but more importantly Ren. However cruel and jealous Richard was of James and Oliver he knew and he called them out. Again in a cruel way but he was jealous of that love. He possessed and didn't know love even if he acted as if he did. It's so easy to say none of it would have happened if they were just honest with each other about their feelings but life isn't easy. I thought I knew the twists but the true twist got me. I really thought James committed suicide but it's clear to me, with the letter, that he faked his death.
It could have been a five but I'm not so English, not so Shakespearean. I left that in high school but I appreciate the code.
Let me start by saying, I am so sorry for Meredith but more importantly Ren. However cruel and jealous Richard was of James and Oliver he knew and he called them out. Again in a cruel way but he was jealous of that love. He possessed and didn't know love even if he acted as if he did. It's so easy to say none of it would have happened if they were just honest with each other about their feelings but life isn't easy. I thought I knew the twists but the true twist got me. I really thought James committed suicide but it's clear to me, with the letter, that he faked his death.
It could have been a five but I'm not so English, not so Shakespearean. I left that in high school but I appreciate the code.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, and Suicide
sophiabenton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i read this book after seeing it on the matcha diaries autumn TBR and so glad i did! itās a big change of style/mood to what iām used to reading but iām trying to read more seasonal kinda books so thought this was a little darker and spookier, and i really enjoyed it. it took a little while to get used to a male narratorās voice and the first couple chapters, but once i got settled and could gather who was who it was a lot easier and i was hooked.
it was so interesting to read about a fictional conservatory experience having been to a music and drama conservatory myself and honestly i found it fairly accurate and it was great that the author managed to depict the highs and lows and sheer intensity of that kind of lifestyle so well! at some points i did find richardās aggression, violence and general intensity hard to read due to personal experiences, and once he died i did feel the same initial relief as the other characters, and the remainder of the book was more enjoyable rather than engaging my stress levels slightly.
really loved the style/format of the book and that it didnāt jump between past and present too much, and that when it did go between either it was smooth just as engaging.
it was so interesting to read about a fictional conservatory experience having been to a music and drama conservatory myself and honestly i found it fairly accurate and it was great that the author managed to depict the highs and lows and sheer intensity of that kind of lifestyle so well! at some points i did find
really loved the style/format of the book and that it didnāt jump between past and present too much, and that when it did go between either it was smooth just as engaging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
smallpanini's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
If We Were Villains is an enthralling and atmospheric novel that dives deep into the intense world of an elite Shakespearean acting school. M. L. Rio crafts a compelling mystery set against a rich, dramatic backdrop where art and life dangerously intertwine. The story follows Oliver, one of seven theater students, whose close-knit circle becomes entangled in a murder that eerily mirrors the dark themes they perform on stage. Rioās writing is poetic and filled with Shakespearean references that add layers to the charactersā relationships and their tension. While some plot points feel melodramatic, the novelās twists and exploration of ambition, friendship, and rivalry make it hard to put down. Itās a unique, haunting story that will captivate mystery lovers and theater enthusiasts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Vomit
obsydian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol