Book Review: If We Were Villains 

By M.L. Rio 

5 Stars 

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is an intense, dark academia tale set in Dellecher Classical Conservatory (an elite arts institution), where a group of acting students in their fourth and final year becomes ensnared in a tragedy that mirrors the Shakespearean plays they perform so passionately. The novel follows seven actors - Oliver, James, Richard, Meredith, Wren, Filippa, and Alexander. When one of their 'friends' turns up dead, the close-knit group fractures and their relationships unravel. Suspicion, rivalry, and betrayal transform their friendship into a chaos of secrets and trauma. 

Rio's writing is captivating, immersing readers into a dark world where the line between performance and reality blurs out of existence. Each character is expertly developed, contributing to the feel of the story. The plot is mainly driven by suspense, making readers feel all-knowing in one chapter and left guessing everything in the next.  

My favourite part about this novel was the intricacy with which the characters were developed throughout the story. They all had flaws and passions, driven by ambition and a thirst for knowledge. They become so absorbed by the roles they play in their Shakespearean worlds that it is often difficult to make out where the character ends, and the human begins. Each person shapes, transforms, and shatters in poetic and haunting ways that draw readers deeper into the story. The progression of the plot raises questions about the complexity of their performances and the consequences of ambition as they eventually become the identities they take on.  

If you love theatrical stories where art meets and imitates life in chilling ways, If We Were Villains is perfect for you! This book is a must-read for fans of dark academia and anyone interested in the haunting powers of literature. 

Reviewed by Nishka 

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