A review by islaybooks
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
5.0
This is what I hoped The Secret History would be (which I unfortunately found quite slow). The same dark academia vibes, and interesting backgrounds and character developments.
It tells the story of Oliver, who has been in prison for a murder that still confuses the lead detective from the case - he thinks there was way more to the story but just couldn't prove it. When he is released from prison, Oliver decides to recount the story for the detective (now retired) to satisfy his curiosity. So he delves into the story and his time at school, where he studied Shakespeare with his six close friends at the academy. Naturally, one of these seven friends ended up dead, which was the crime Oliver confessed to and served time for.
I studied literature at A Level, so I do have quite a bit of Shakespeare study under my belt. However, I don't think that this knowledge is necessary for understanding the plot of the novel. Shakespeare adds to their behaviour in certain ways, but it is more focused on the dynamics of the young adults and how they change so much that death occurs.
Okay - the ENDING. This broke me. I sobbed into my sleeve at the ending, which was not something that I expected. It is so beautifully written that I was completely invested in the story and the characters and was completely heartbroken (although there was the slight suggestion of mystery at the very end, which I liked). Overall, a well written book with detail and descriptions that subtly unpeel the layers of the characters - definitely a great read.
It tells the story of Oliver, who has been in prison for a murder that still confuses the lead detective from the case - he thinks there was way more to the story but just couldn't prove it. When he is released from prison, Oliver decides to recount the story for the detective (now retired) to satisfy his curiosity. So he delves into the story and his time at school, where he studied Shakespeare with his six close friends at the academy. Naturally, one of these seven friends ended up dead, which was the crime Oliver confessed to and served time for.
I studied literature at A Level, so I do have quite a bit of Shakespeare study under my belt. However, I don't think that this knowledge is necessary for understanding the plot of the novel. Shakespeare adds to their behaviour in certain ways, but it is more focused on the dynamics of the young adults and how they change so much that death occurs.
Okay - the ENDING. This broke me. I sobbed into my sleeve at the ending, which was not something that I expected. It is so beautifully written that I was completely invested in the story and the characters and was completely heartbroken (although there was the slight suggestion of mystery at the very end, which I liked). Overall, a well written book with detail and descriptions that subtly unpeel the layers of the characters - definitely a great read.