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A review by leandrathetbrzero
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Sorry, friends. The hype is not real for this one. Feel free to skip my below criticisms if you adored this book!
1. This isn't a mystery, nor is it a thriller. It's dark academia, yes, but it's more general fiction inspired by and in homage to Shakespeare's tragedies. The overdramatic actions/emotions and the constant quoting from passages support that, so why not just market it appropriately?
2. Our main character, Oliver, is far too naive and dim-witted for me. I can see the attempt to make him into a Nate from The Great Gatsby or Richard in The Secret History, but it just made me so frustrated with him. There is NO reason why he would take the actions he did throughout the book, but especially at the climax. Still shaking my head at the silliness of it all. It's giving "trying to have main character energy but failing brilliantly."
3. The plot/motivation of these characters made little sense. We never learn why the "tyrant" of the group has his behavior change SO rapidly...it just does. The characters have been friends for years; people don't suddenly change like that.
1. This isn't a mystery, nor is it a thriller. It's dark academia, yes, but it's more general fiction inspired by and in homage to Shakespeare's tragedies. The overdramatic actions/emotions and the constant quoting from passages support that, so why not just market it appropriately?
2. Our main character, Oliver, is far too naive and dim-witted for me. I can see the attempt to make him into a Nate from The Great Gatsby or Richard in The Secret History, but it just made me so frustrated with him. There is NO reason why he would take the actions he did throughout the book, but especially at the climax. Still shaking my head at the silliness of it all. It's giving "trying to have main character energy but failing brilliantly."
3. The plot/motivation of these characters made little sense. We never learn why the "tyrant" of the group has his behavior change SO rapidly...it just does. The characters have been friends for years; people don't suddenly change like that.