The world of the book is richly textured and enticing. If only it were possible to crawl through the pages of a book and into a world where Halloween-night performances of MacBeth were so common and so thrilling.
Of course the world is only created to shatter, and framing reminds you often that what you don’t know is a current stronger than anything you can see. Still, it’s fun to escape away into a story like this. ( )

Ten years ago Oliver was a student at the Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a Shakespearean institute where its thespians completely embody their characters and spew off soliloquies and sonnets like casual slang. He was close with a group of six other actors who all live in a building called "the Castle" which is exactly what you would expect: an old, Gothic dwelling full of rich wood, a beautiful library, and a completely stereotypical fireplace (I'm not saying that in a negative way, I LIVE for this atmosphere). When tensions rise between the group and a mysterious death takes place, the students create a story of their own in order to prove their innocence.

If you know me personally, it's common knowledge that I adore anything dark, creepy, and extremely atmospheric. That being said, I absolutely devoured this book. As flawed as each one of the characters were, I loved learning about the way they coped with pressure, grief, and guilt and what exactly transpired following that suspicious death. A perfect read for a cold, dreary night. ( )

This one fair blew my socks off. Well, it would have but I tend to avoid wearing them whenever possible.

The flow and pacing were perfection! I had to avoid reading it after bedtime or I was liable to read several hundred pages in one shot. Which is only a bad thing because I need sleep. Writing style was so on point I didn't even mind the characters speaking in verse. My favorite character is probably Filippa. Go read it and it will be blatantly obvious why.

You will not see anything coming with this book. you will be totally thrown by this modern take on the whodunit novel. ( )

Oliver is being released from prison after serving his sentence for murder. The detective who sent him there has also visited him through the years. Joe is no longer a cop. He wants to know the truth of what happened 10 years ago. Oliver agrees to tell him once he is out of prison. They meet at the school where it all happened and Oliver tells the tale.

I loved this book. Oliver and his friends are drama students at Dellecher Classical Conservatory. They are now in their fourth year. Things are changing between them and not necessarily for the better. Richard has always gotten the leads in the Shakespearean plays they do. Meredith is his girlfriend and usually has the female lead. Oliver's roommate is James. They get the sidekick roles usually while Alexander gets the villain roles. Wren, Richard's cousin, and Filippa get the remaining female roles or cross-dress for the male roles. They have been accustomed to these roles although some would like to expand their repertoire. One night a party goes wrong and Richard is found in the lake bleeding. The remaining six make a decision. Is it the right one?

So much happens. I liked how the book is written in an almost play format as Oliver tells the story.
I did finally figure out who did it. I know why Oliver made his decisions. I could not say why the others made their decisions. Their last play together, King Lear, was explosive. I liked how the play ended.

I cannot say I agree with Oliver's decision, but I understand it. I liked Filippa a lot. She is true blue. Meredith was a mean girl. I do not know what Oliver saw in her. I liked James. I wish a few things about him had been clearer throughout the story. Richard was a bully. Alexander was troubled. Wren was there but not always noticeable.

This is one of the best books I've read this year. I was hooked from the first page. ( )

God, this book is everything.

It's pretentious, haughty, messy, and tragic. I had some warning beforehand that If We Were Villains was a love-it-or-hate-it kind of book, and I absolutely loved it. This is a definite re-read for me and perfectly fits a fall reading shelf. ( )