What happens when the distinction between performance and reality becomes so hazy that life starts to mimic art? The stage comes to life in such moments, and every word and movement seems to follow a script. In If We Were Villains, M.L. Rio crafts a spellbinding tale of ambition, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of human frailty.
This book contains instances where fiction and reality unexpectedly converge. That’s why it is categorized as a dark academia novel—it’s a thriller about seven students dedicated to acting, the main line of whose lives is Shakespeare’s plays. Each one specializes in a different role: the hero, the villain, the lover, the fool. The story is exclusive of past and present and is narrated by the character Oliver Marks.
The past follows Oliver and his friends—Richard, James, Meredith, Alexander, Wren, and Filippa—during their final year at Dellecher. Obsessed with Shakespearean drama, their lives blur the line between performance and reality. Rivalries, unspoken desires, and jealousy grow beneath the surface. Richard, the group’s strong but hot-headed leader, starts pushing others away with his aggressive behaviour.
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At the centre of the story is Oliver Marks, a talented but troubled student who becomes entangled in a deadly crime after the mysterious death of one of his friends, Richard. His body is discovered after a violent altercation during a drunken night by the lake. Oliver is arrested for the murder, but throughout the course of the novel, one asks not if the murder occurred but precisely how far these students would go for art, for each other, and to get their revenge.
In the present timeline, Oliver is released from prison after serving ten years for a crime he may not have committed. As he tells the story to Detective Colborne, who investigated the case, one learns what happened that fateful night is finally revealed.
If We Were Villains is an excellent example of ambition, identity, and the darkness of envy. It draws readers into a world where the line between villain and hero is blurred. M.L. Rio depicts friendship, betrayal, and the consequences that come from living in a world of illusions in a powerful way with complex connections and rich, complex characters.
As the truth unfolds, you’ll find yourself questioning what it means to be a villain. Is the character a mere puppet, or is the character a representation of the person playing him or her? They live like Shakespearean characters, and their lives are as tragic as a Shakespearean plot, and that captures the reader’s breath and turns the pages.
Why Read the Book?
If We Were Villains explores the human character and poses difficult queries regarding morality, ambition, and loyalty. It is more than just a tale of crime or friendship. The suspense, emotional depth, and exquisitely written prose will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a must-read if you enjoy complicated characters, intriguing plots, and books that leave you thinking long after you’ve put them down. Don’t miss out—get a copy and immerse yourself in the world of Shakespearean drama, where every action has a consequence, and every villain might just be a hero in disguise.
