Reviews with content warning for Body horror - If We Were Villains

I loved this book so much and the writing was fantastic! I can't believe this was her debut novel. If you're a fan of The Secret History by Donna Tartt or even if you didn't like it but liked the idea of that book, you might really enjoy this book!

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kristinamv's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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aksmith92's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

The Setup: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is a masterful blend of dark academia and psychological thriller that captivates readers with its intricate plot and rich Shakespearean elements. Set in the fictional but elite Dellecher Classical Conservatory, the novel follows a group of seven acting students whose lives start to mirror the tragedies they perform on stage.

The book is organized in Acts, and each prologue, the story is framed by Oliver Marks' release from prison after ten years. On the day of his release, he recounts the events leading up to a classmate's death to Detective Colborne, the retiring investigator who never quite believed the official story. Each proceeding Scene then details the fateful year where the classmates and friends fall apart. As the students' final year progresses, their tight-knit group fractures under the weight of secrets and the pressures of the roles they play. The death, *cough cough*, murder of their classmate becomes the catalyst for the unraveling of their lives.

What I Loved: The writing was absolutely beautiful - truly. I was not only immersed but awed. M.L. Rio clearly knew what she was doing. Her portrayal of the Dellecher Conservatory was absorbing, capturing the intensity and passion of young actors devoted to their craft. The characters, each representing a Shakespearean archetype, were vividly drawn and complex. Additionally, the novel's exploration of themes such as ambition, jealousy, loyalty, and artistry's cost was thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

I think what I loved most was M.L. Rio's ability to make almost unlikeable characters real. What do I mean? She made unlikeable characters that you didn't necessarily and automatically like by the end, but unlikeable characters that you still want to read about. It was gripping and interesting; you were curious about what came next, what they would do, and how they would break. I was captured! It takes well-done artistry to make me love a book with characters I wasn't fond of. I've heard that some folks find the pacing of this book slow, but I didn't, and I was enamored the whole way, particularly at the end when we learn the entire truth about the events that occurred at Dellecher.

Why Not 5 Stars? For one, I completely guessed the events that occurred to that fateful classmate. I had thought it the moment his classmates and friends found his body. Therefore, it wasn't as mysterious and surprising ("thriller-like") as I had imagined. However, I didn't mind too much because I still enjoyed reading.

Additionally, Rio's use of Shakespearean dialogue and references no doubt enriched the story - the characters frequently quoted and drew parallels from Shakespeare's plays, adding depth to their interactions and the unfolding drama. It was a precise literary device to enhance the novel, making it atmospheric and underscoring the themes explored's timeless nature. I wholeheartedly understood the point, but here's the thing: I struggle with Shakespeare so much. I knew that going into this book, I didn't like reading Shakespeare, and I didn't like the language and prose. My brain breaks. So, I braced myself. I did a pretty good job for someone who doesn't love Shakespeare, but it still meant I struggled along the way.

With all that said, this novel was clearly compelling and beautifully written, offering a fresh take on the dark academia genre. I know this book will linger in my mind, including that interesting and obscure ending.

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emilywemily6's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Even with my limited Shakespeare knowledge, I still really enjoyed this book. Though I feel like a true thespian would get a lot more out of this book and recognize many intentional parallels the author drew to Shakespeare’s work. I hope to revisit this book in the future when I am more acquainted with his body of work. This novel felt theatrical and dramatic but in a way that is realistic to collegiate theater students. I found the overall descent into madness fascinating and I was intrigued by the characterization of the entire cast. I wish there was more depth/backstory to some characters though, like Richard especially. I also loved the idea of Macbeth by the lake and Romeo and Juliet in the middle of a ball! I didn’t particularly like the ambiguous ending because of how I feel the characters would have likely acted; I’m not convinced the ending honors how I feel the characters would have acted, but overall I could see the character progression and understand if not agree with their choices. The course of the mystery was pretty predictable but that made it satisfying.

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meeklovestoread's review against another edition

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challenging 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? It's complicated

4.25

Wow! Just wow! You know ever since I started reading again two years ago. I've seen this book many times and it's never tickled my fancy until probably towards the end of last year to the beginning of this year. However, although, it was on my radar I never had the inclination to pick it up till recently. And I'm so glad and annoyed that I took so long to pick this up because I felt like I read it at a great time because I waited until I was in the mood for it. But I'm annoyed because I ended up really enjoying this book and I could've enjoyed it sooner if I had read it sooner, but I genuinely believe that I read this at the right time, and at the end of the day, I read it and that's all that matter.

Not gonna lie, the first 70 pages weren't too intriguing to me. I find the overwhelming amount of characters overwhelming (you get used to it after a bit). When I was around the 40-page mark I was like "okay, where are we going with this?" I feel the inclination of dnfing creeping through, but I decided to let this book cook cuz I was only 40-something pages in at that point and I'm sooooo glad I did because this book did in fact deliver.

I think those first 70 pages served as an intro into the dynamics of the characters, the story, the setting/environment, and the Shakespearean culture of it all. And then after that a certain a event happened and I was HOOKED after that. I really liked the writing. I enjoyed reading about the characters and the dynamics that each of them has with the main character, Oliver.

I loved the crumbs that we got of Oliver and James. Kinda wished we got more so it could be more convincing because I wasn't feeling it too much on James's side considering I do believe he felt strongly for Wren too. But I did enjoy how their story was told as well as how his dynamic with Meredith was intertwined their story I do believe he loved them both; I just think he loved James more.

Now I have read a book similar to this called, "In My Dreams, I Hold a Knife" by Ashley Winstead. I really enjoyed that book and gave it the same rating as I gave this one, however, although both books tackle the same underlying plot the way they're executed is completely different.

One thing about "In My Dreams, I Hold a Knife" is that it is more drama-centered and the characters, including the main character, are more unlikeable. However, it leans into the mystery aspect way more and like I stated previously much more drama-focused and dives more into the characters' personal lives than "If We Were Villains" did. And because of that, I really enjoyed it because it was just so entertaining. (so, I feel like if you didn't like this book, you might that one, but take note of all the things I listed above)

However, one thing "If We Were Villains" has over "In My Dreams, I Hold a Knife" is that it is more emotional. In my opinion, the characters, including the main character, are more likable in this book than the other one. And the way it's written (not saying that "In My Dreams, I Hold a Knife" is written badly; I love Ashley's writing) is more nuanced and ornate that it provides a lot more thought-provoking and diverse emotions from the characters that it makes you feel more for them and the story. I think the inclusion of Shakespearean dialogue both adds and takes away from the story. I've only read two of his famous plays and that was a bit ago so some lines were familiar, but for the most part, I didn't really understand much if I'm being honest (proof that you don't need to know Shakespeare to read this, however, I think the added knowledge might help for a better reading experience), so at times it was a little annoying reading stanzas of dialogue that I didn't understand, however, some of the texts that I was able to interpret I felt did add to the story and it just set the atmosphere for real well for me. So although the Shakespearean dialogue could be annoying, I wouldn't take it out.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I totally get why someone wouldn't like this and would think it was boring though. I feel like you really have to like the characters and their dynamics to enjoy this one. It's not common that I like books that are character driven so I didn't go into it expecting to love it and really feel for the story and the characters, but that's what ended up happening and I'm just so happy that this book ended up being worth the hype for me. I really like how the author writes and hopefully will read more from them in the future.

I do feel like the statuses of the other characters were a bit inconclusive though. We never knew anything about their personal lives so I really wished we got more about them and how they were doing. Goes to show how much I connected to these characters I guess if I'm asking for me.😅

Note: Totally recommend the audiobook for this. At first, I found myself hoping that there was both a male and female narrator however after a while I realized that the male narrator does a great job of differentiating the voices and making you aware of who's who.

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meaghanslibrary's review against another edition

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reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The ending is kind of WTF. I recommend listening to this because it’s written like a play.

The writing really created this universe of the school and I felt like I was there. I think I would have an even greater appreciation if I studied this in school and drew all the parallels to Shakespeare.

I’m still confused why they killed Richard, I’m not really understanding the motivation.

This was definitely an intriguing and fairly quick listen.

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curlykristenk's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

Loved the character building at the beginning and throughout. Loved the way their characters all go a little mad even tho it’s a bit sad that they do. They are a little over the top but I think that was intentional due to them being die hard theatre kids and adding to them getting lost in the world of theatre.

I loved the poetry of some of the Shakespeare references. Both in the quotes (even though some of them were, imo, ill placed and at times a little cringy when they weren’t like necessarily poetic or added much. At the same time i could see how it really added to the narrative of the characters losing touch of reality outside of Shakespeare) and in the plot similarities at times. I could never really guess what was going to happen next which both I liked and disliked lol.

I’m sad about that ending for Meredith, just to be there for convenience. She deserves a man that loves her and that will choose her.

Filippa was a convenient character, especially towards the end, with not a lot of depth but was always there to solve a problem that the author came across. She didn’t have much backstory explained even though it got built up to have lots of potential for it.

Richards body being mangled, broken and twisted in odd ways and James’ story of him just slashing him with the hook don’t match. It’s a huuuge plot hole and I don’t understand how that could’ve been missed? I was convinced I read the initial description of how his body was found wrong so I went back and looked and yeah it just doesn’t match. And I’m confused about it.

I feel like overall the wrap up at the end was really rushed. Especially how Oliver found out about James and quickly skimmed over that to ask another question about another loose end of the book straight after hearing that. Then once all the loose ends were tied up after talking to colbourne only then does he have a bit of a menty b about it. I feel like it was just rushed because he’s been waiting 10 years to get out and see the love of his life and he learns that and then asks about other people? Nah I’d go non-verbal except screams. It was just like a bit disingenuous compared to the rest of the book and the great character building. Loved the lil Cliff hanger tho hehe

Overall loved the book! I think I would give it a 5 if it weren’t for the huge plot hole that maybe I’m still mistaken about? If you’ve read this far plz tell me if I’m wrong haha

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