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Book Reviews of If We Were Villains

If We Were Villains
Author: M.L. Rio
ISBN: 490259
Publication Date: 4/2017
Pages: 358
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Write a Review

Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed If We Were Villains on + 1062 more book reviews
This is well written and in a unique style. It's broken down into Acts and Scenes rather than chapters (Act II Scene 3 etc.). If you are a fan of Shakespeare, the performing arts, acting or drama then this book is not to be missed! I loved so much about it through the first 3 "Acts". This group of "fourth year" friends are attending Dellecher School, an art based exclusive college. It takes a lot to make it to the fourth year there. They live in a tower building called the Castle on school grounds with a library room where they sip wine by the fire and study their lines for the current Shakespeare play as they juggle classes and homework and make their plans for the future. The book is told by Oliver who has spent 10 years in prison (we do not find out all the details of what he went to prison for or what truly happened 10 years prior until the end of the book). The Acts and Scenes unfold in the past as Oliver relives what led to his prison sentence. For me, it began to lose steam toward the end and I didn't enjoy Act IV and the final Act V as much as the first 3. I think it's because the characters start to fall apart and we find they may all be mentally unstable. I didn't really find the actions (or lack thereof) of the school and administrators to be believable under the circumstances. There was quite a bit of drama that played out and it just didn't keep me as captivated. I still wanted to know the answers. I did like the book overall.