If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio - OPTIONAL

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio 354 pages. Flatiron Books, 2017. $18 

Language: R (136 swears 74 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 Vague, undescriptive sex, mention eating disorder, drinking, and smoking, overdose Violence: PG-13 Rough "play" that results in injury, descriptive murder 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

After spending a decade in prison for a murder he may or may not have committed, Oliver is finally being released. Having made halfway friends with the police chief that put him there, he agrees to meet to discuss what really happened back in 1997 and the events surrounding the crime. Flashing between the past and present, Oliver recounts his senior year in college as an acting student not just performing but also living Shakespearean tragedies. Of the seven students in his class, only six would live to see graduation. 

To put it simply: this novel was a piece of art. It was structured like a Shakespearean play, and much of the dialogue contained quotes directly from various tragedies. Following actors, this was a novel full of deception and layered with motives and drama. I loved it. Certainly, it isn't for everyone, but for a person who loves a good murder, dark academia vibes, and Shakespeare, this is perfect! I will be rereading it and annotating it many times over. Going into this, the reader must know that there is graphic language and that different mature themes are lightly mentioned, including eating disorders, sex, substance abuse, and physical abuse. Race is not explicitly mentioned. There are multiple gay characters. 

Sierra Finlinson