A review by rheasingh_
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Some of us are sensitive readers. We position ourselves in prose and poetry. We are as light and quick as the wind, at first. Familiarising ourselves with the ground, tables, vanity stands, bookshelves so meticulously curated by our gods. Then we possess our favourite characters, mouth their words as if they were ours in the first place. Or the words transform to fit us having coasted through so many bodies in a mirrored reality where we see ourselves all too well. And once that is complete. There is no going back. Their laughters is just as throaty and ringing to our ears as the creators. And then we close the book when someone dies and wear our best mourning attire. After the mourning is satisfactorily completed, the mystery of how each character's psyche spliffs and disintegrates in reaction to their circumstances pulls us back. Then when the very last bit of the tale is left, we revolt. Having forgotten that the world was limited and temporary. Not much is left to sift through. The prices are coming together. Then the revolt comes to a close as a full ache that we had subsided comes to the forefront, having missed people who never really existed. And all that is left is to find closure. But arguably, the very best of tales provide us with none. And so without anything to tether us back to our reality, we simply never forget of this temporary and limited space ever again, haunting it as if it really belonged to us, dreaming of conclusions so we can rest easy.