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mehooleygan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
readingsitaaras's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Picture The Secret History but with Shakespeare theatre nerds and a tragic tone and you get If We Were Villains.
This book truly had a hook in me, I could not stop reading at any point. Gasps were gasped and questions were had. The tragic and gothic setting of the book is perfect for the story and I loved how elements of Shakespeare's texts were woven into the plot. Was the constant quoting of his plays a little annoying after a certain point? Yes. But it had its uses and reading between the lines quoted was an additional intrigue.
Importantly, this is a character-focused book that really tries to examine each member of the cast. We see their struggles and what leads to the tragic downfall of each and every one of them. The characters are what carry this book when the plot weakens here and there. That being said, I do think that Wren, and maybe even Richard, could have used more development. For much of the time, Wren is kind of just there. Grieving and guilty, but not entirely involved. Maybe I'm underestimating her, but on a first read that's simply how she came off. Richard was a fairly substantial character but I would've liked just a little bit more exploration in why he is the way he is in their fourth year. Maybe there was some foreshadowing I missed but it felt really sudden to me.
The frame narrative of the story being told through Oliver and Detective Colborne's conversation was interesting and the ending itself, though devastating, was well done. I swearJames is still alive and no one can tell me otherwise because that would be too sad .
Overall, I think if you enjoyed the tone and mystery of The Secret History, you might like If We Were Villains. It has a sufficiently dramatic and tense mood that fully envelops you into this little secluded world of a small group of characters. Finishing the book is like coming up for water when you didn't even realize you were underwater to begin with. Definitely a book that I'll come back to for a re-read.
This book truly had a hook in me, I could not stop reading at any point. Gasps were gasped and questions were had. The tragic and gothic setting of the book is perfect for the story and I loved how elements of Shakespeare's texts were woven into the plot. Was the constant quoting of his plays a little annoying after a certain point? Yes. But it had its uses and reading between the lines quoted was an additional intrigue.
Importantly, this is a character-focused book that really tries to examine each member of the cast. We see their struggles and what leads to the tragic downfall of each and every one of them. The characters are what carry this book when the plot weakens here and there. That being said, I do think that Wren, and maybe even Richard, could have used more development. For much of the time, Wren is kind of just there. Grieving and guilty, but not entirely involved. Maybe I'm underestimating her, but on a first read that's simply how she came off. Richard was a fairly substantial character but I would've liked just a little bit more exploration in why he is the way he is in their fourth year. Maybe there was some foreshadowing I missed but it felt really sudden to me.
The frame narrative of the story being told through Oliver and Detective Colborne's conversation was interesting and the ending itself, though devastating, was well done. I swear
Overall, I think if you enjoyed the tone and mystery of The Secret History, you might like If We Were Villains. It has a sufficiently dramatic and tense mood that fully envelops you into this little secluded world of a small group of characters. Finishing the book is like coming up for water when you didn't even realize you were underwater to begin with. Definitely a book that I'll come back to for a re-read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction and Death
reeccees's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
jaimc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization
stratospheric's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
lefthandlou's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to like this book, I was so hopeful from the book description that it would be just my thing, but no. I hated it. It tried to be a Shakespearean Secret History and failed at both. None of the characters felt like real people, their motivations were ridiculous, and they were all selfish, narcissistic, self-obsessed assholes. Asshole characters are fine, I don’t have to like the characters to like the story, but the plot also just didn’t do anything for me. I think this is another book that could have been good, I liked the premise a lot and love an academic setting, but ultimately it just fell short for me.
Also, even though the author is a woman, the depiction of Meredith in particular felt extremely misogynistic to me. All the women characters felt underdeveloped compared to the men, and the women only really exist to bolster the male drama. They rarely interact with each other, and when they do they treat each other badly. They are just unfleshed out tropes. And maybe that’s the point somehow, they each fill a typical Shakespearean female archetype, but if so it was very badly done. Wouldn’t pass the bechdel test, that’s for sure.
Station Eleven did what this was trying to do with Shakespeare much, much better.
Also, even though the author is a woman, the depiction of Meredith in particular felt extremely misogynistic to me. All the women characters felt underdeveloped compared to the men, and the women only really exist to bolster the male drama. They rarely interact with each other, and when they do they treat each other badly. They are just unfleshed out tropes. And maybe that’s the point somehow, they each fill a typical Shakespearean female archetype, but if so it was very badly done. Wouldn’t pass the bechdel test, that’s for sure.
Station Eleven did what this was trying to do with Shakespeare much, much better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
augustrogue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was so hyped for this book and truly wanted to love it - unfortunately, while it had a few fleeting moments of some very lovely prose, it ended up feeling like a bit of a pretentious mess. Multiple, long scenes that were basically play-by-plays of Shakespearean stage productions. Inexplicable switches into script-style dialogue that disrupts the flow terribly: (not from the book, just an example)
Meredith: "Where did Alexander go?"
Me: "I don’t know."
Wren: "I'm worried about him."
...and then switches back just as abruptly, like it forgot it wasn't a screenplay for a second. Scenes that end abruptly for poetic/dramatic effect and then don't adequately explain what happened next. And I wanted a lot *more* of a relationship dynamic that was only lightly explored in the last 10% or so of the book.
The thing is, I actually *like* Shakespeare, quite a bit. The course I took on his plays was one of my favorites in university, and I still have a Complete Works anthology on my bookshelf. But I don't know, this book just made me roll my eyes a lot. At least the author acknowledges that the characters talking to each other in rapid-fire Shakespeare quotes about mundane things like they're ye olde Gilmore Girls (my own analogy, not hers) *is* super pretentious, in her ending notes. This book is for someone, maybe, but for the most part, it's not for me.
Meredith: "Where did Alexander go?"
Me: "I don’t know."
Wren: "I'm worried about him."
...and then switches back just as abruptly, like it forgot it wasn't a screenplay for a second. Scenes that end abruptly for poetic/dramatic effect and then don't adequately explain what happened next. And I wanted a lot *more* of a relationship dynamic that was only lightly explored in the last 10% or so of the book.
The thing is, I actually *like* Shakespeare, quite a bit. The course I took on his plays was one of my favorites in university, and I still have a Complete Works anthology on my bookshelf. But I don't know, this book just made me roll my eyes a lot. At least the author acknowledges that the characters talking to each other in rapid-fire Shakespeare quotes about mundane things like they're ye olde Gilmore Girls (my own analogy, not hers) *is* super pretentious, in her ending notes. This book is for someone, maybe, but for the most part, it's not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
jaduhluhdabooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I mean. I’m still reeling in complicated and convoluted ways. Like. What. Rio is meticulous in their writing in a way that doesn’t necessarily need all the details to tell the story. There’s raw emotional attachment to these words and I felt them in each of the characters displays.
I think this novel is crafty and intriguing and new in a rich way. I also think it showcases a side of classical education that many (usually rich white folx) fail to acknowledge. It also is just devastating to watch these characters grapple with their inner most struggles and insecurities and repeatedly make the choice to shield them rather than heal them.
The ending. Ouch. But I should’ve seen it coming. Romeo and Juliet, makes sense and then also… is the show still going on? If you know, you know. It’s beautifully written and pretentiously told with its cracks and crinkles of the characters lives and the connection found in these relationships but also the revelation. It’s just a wild book. Semi intense in its themes, but ultimately a good read and of course a questioning end.
I think this novel is crafty and intriguing and new in a rich way. I also think it showcases a side of classical education that many (usually rich white folx) fail to acknowledge. It also is just devastating to watch these characters grapple with their inner most struggles and insecurities and repeatedly make the choice to shield them rather than heal them.
The ending. Ouch. But I should’ve seen it coming. Romeo and Juliet, makes sense and then also… is the show still going on? If you know, you know. It’s beautifully written and pretentiously told with its cracks and crinkles of the characters lives and the connection found in these relationships but also the revelation. It’s just a wild book. Semi intense in its themes, but ultimately a good read and of course a questioning end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
vaguelyredhead'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Vomit
aj9moon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content