Reviews with content warning for Death - Como se Fôssemos Vilões

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Como se Fôssemos Vilões by M.L. Rio

942 reviews

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.

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sophiabenton's review against another edition

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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! it’s a big change of style/mood to what i’m used to reading but i’m 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 narrator’s 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

richard’s 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 didn’t jump between past and present too much, and that when it did go between either it was smooth just as engaging.

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smallpanini's review against another edition

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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. Rio’s writing is poetic and filled with Shakespearean references that add layers to the characters’ relationships and their tension. While some plot points feel melodramatic, the novel’s twists and exploration of ambition, friendship, and rivalry make it hard to put down. It’s a unique, haunting story that will captivate mystery lovers and theater enthusiasts.

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obsydian's review against another edition

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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

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neonblaze's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring 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

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lia_24's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've heard a lot that this book is "worse" than secret history but I personally do not agree.
In fact, I preferred this for multiple reasons:
1. I loved the way it was structured. The short "chapters" really adhered to my attention span and therefore I was able to read it much quicker than I can read The Secret History (no shade)

2. I love these characters so much and I love that we have so much queer rep in this book, even though it's only mlm as far as I recall.

3. I adore Shakespeare and acting so this caters to my interests perfectly.

4. I honestly don't know what else to say except I loved this so much. The only issue I have are some outdated words being used in very few parts.

I understand the constant quoting of Shakespeare between the characters might seem pretentious but that's what's intended and I really enjoyed it. So I don't agree that it's worse than Secret History, I think, as usual, it is a matter of personal preference.

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dlrosebyh's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

3 words: Shakespeare, Gay, Sad

This book went straight to the most me-coded books ever. For years, my friends have begged me to read this book because it's very me-coded and I would LOVE it. It's actually astounding—the amount of friends that recommended me this book. But all of them were right.

I have always loved theatre growing up, and I don't think that's a secret. I love Shakespeare ~~(sometimes).~~ I love found family. I love sad, ~~misunderstood~~ gay characters. All the stars were aligned. It was impossible for me to like this book. Not even my hater self can hate this book.

If there's one thing Rio did amazingly was to write the characters!! I probably shouldn't root for them, but Rio got me rooting for them. Like no, your honor, they didn't do anything wrong!! WHATTTT!!! I have always loved morally grey characters because they add so much dynamic to the story. Each character served its own purpose, and it's so interesting and entertaining see how they are fleshed out. James, Oliver, Meredith, and Flippa are all so me. It's insane. If you count how much times I have annotated the book with "He/She's so me", I would have hundreds of dollars.

When Rio said you can justify anything if you do it poetically enough, she was TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK. It was so poetic and beautiful. You could tell she poured her whole heart into it, and you know, she has EXPERIENCE being an actress. It's always so fun looking at the backstage of theatre works.

After this book, I want to throw myself because what the fuck was that ending??? This the type of book that will result to you opening a ~~yet another~~ new AO3 tab. Now, I stop here because I might accidentally spoil the whole book. But PLEASE, if you're looking for a next read, make it this one.

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