Book Review: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
When I first stumbled upon If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, it felt like a serendipitous meeting of my two great loves: Shakespeare and Dark Academia. The tantalizing premise—a secret history of a Shakespearean acting troupe embroiled in tragedy and betrayal—snagged my interest immediately. Having spent countless hours frolicking through the pond of literary angst, I knew I had to dive in. And what I found was nothing short of delicious.
If We Were Villains tells the story of Oliver, freshly released from prison, as he attempts to untangle the dark, twisted events surrounding a fatal night at his elite acting school. The narrative expertly blends Shakespearean themes with gripping character exploration. The intricacies of emotion and manipulation echo through the characters’ lives, each one somehow living out the archetypes they play on stage. Oliver is our moral compass—naive yet earnest, representing the audience’s yearning for justice.
Characters like James, Richard, and the rest are expertly crafted clichés—popular, tragic, the “funny friend”—but Rio plays with these archetypes in a way that makes them intriguingly complex. They become both their roles and their true selves, inviting readers to ponder the thin line between performance and authenticity. I found myself especially invested in Alexander, the witty, fun-loving character who provided balance in a world littered with ambition and competition. His arc serves as a reminder that stillness and humor can often reveal deeper truths hidden beneath the surface.
Rio’s prose is where the magic truly sparkles. It’s beautifully written, a delicate balance between the flowery and the accessible. Lines like, “The real sky was enormous overhead, making our mirrors and twinkling stage lights seem ridiculous—Man’s futile attempt to imitate God,” resonate deeply, encapsulating the existential battle for meaning in an art-obsessed world. The dialogue often reads like a script, incorporating Shakespeare’s motifs and themes, which enriches the reading experience, especially for those familiar with his works. It’s like being part of an inside joke, making the reader feel just as clever as the characters themselves.
As I dove deeper into the story, my heart raced alongside the characters, especially when moments of vulnerability highlighted their struggles against typecasting in a high-stakes narrative. One scene struck me fiercely when a character laments their tragic role, yearning for the lighthearted joy of a romantic comedy instead. It echoes the eternal human desire for reinvention and redemption.
For those of us who delight in atmospheric storytelling that balances emotion with wit, If We Were Villains is a feast. I can only hope that it finds its way into the hands of anyone enamored with dark academia, Shakespearean drama, and intricate character dynamics.
Oh, and before I wrap this up, I’ve got to share my theory about the ending—spoilers ahead! I firmly believe James is alive. The connection to Pericles and its themes of resurrection and happy endings hints at a potential twist that could bring everyone back together. James’s longing to escape the tragic narrative feels too significant to ignore. I’ll be dreaming of fanfics that explore this theory while I clutch my heart, rooting for Oliver and James to find their way back to each other.
In conclusion, If We Were Villains is not just a story; it’s an invitation to reflect on our own roles and performances in life. It captivated me with its poignant exploration of friendship, ambition, and the tangled web of identity. I came away feeling enriched and eager to share this literary gem. So if you’re craving atmosphere, angst, and a sprinkle of Shakespeare, this book might just be your next obsession!