LGBT

The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.

Introduction/First Impressions: A Long-Awaited Read

This book was one that I had on my shelf for a while, waiting for the right time and the motivation to remove this book from my growing TBR list. The time finally came over the summer, and I wish I had read this book much sooner than I did.

I had very little prior knowledge of the story or even the characters, and since I purchased it a while before I got to reading it, I didn’t remember what had intrigued me, what had pulled me in. I figure that it was the name Olivie Blake that convinced me to set some time aside to enter this world, as I have enjoyed all of the other worlds that she has created. Other books of hers, such as The Atlas Six and the books that followed, have always intrigued me, and I was excited to see what else she had to offer.

Seeing as Masters of Death was released in 2018, before The Atlas Six in 2020, I wondered whether or not this book would have the same feel to it, or if it would feel like something else entirely. I am happy to report that Masters of Death did not let me down, even in the slightest.

Plot & Themes: It’s Never Just a Game

The quick summary on the back of the book shows that it begins with a simple real estate agent who has a ghost problem, and she needs to be rid of this ghost to sell the house. However, the book evolves into something much more complex: an epic quest to ultimately save humanity.

The story was one that I had never read before, and the plot was so unique that I was hooked almost instantly. With so much information that is unveiled throughout, your interest is kept piqued the entire time.

Upon my first read, I initially had some confusion on certain elements of the story, especially when the immortal game was being played. I found myself going “what?” more times than I would like to admit. But it is all worth it in the end when the story comes to a close, and all of the information that was presented to you finally clicks into place. By the end of the book, all of the confusion you might have felt was worth it, and you feel as if you had just gone on the journey yourself. There is no shortage of plot twists and fantasy elements to keep you on your toes, and the concept and themes of high stakes will certainly have you wondering what happens next.

Characters & Relationships: A Cast of the Dead and Undying

One of my utmost favorite things about reading is being able to understand a character: embarking on their journey, living their lives through them, and understanding who they are at their core. Watching a character change as the story progresses and finding out more and more about them until their journey ends at the last page is so rewarding, especially when you can imagine their lives long after that final page. Olivie Blake supplies us with so many characters to follow, each with their own unique stories and personalities that make it almost impossible not to immerse yourself in their journeys.

It is no easy feat to have so many characters and keep them all well-developed, but Olivie Blake does this beautifully and effortlessly. At one point or another, each had their moment to shine, and they are all equally distinct and memorable. With an array of both mortals and mythical creatures– demons, vampires, demi-gods, angels, reapers, and ghosts–there is no shortage of characters to love and root for.

I especially enjoyed the relationship between Fox D’Mora and Brandt Solberg. Their relationship was explored intimately and deeply, but we also were able to see them grow and learn who they are as individuals outside of this relationship. Similarly, I loved the dynamic between Viola Marek and Tom Parker. Their playful banter felt very refreshing, and while they ultimately got together in the end, Viola’s character was never defined by him. She was not tied or restricted to Tom’s story in any way, and she was able to grow and blossom on her own.
Mayra Kaleka and Calix Sanna’s relationship was also very comforting. We got to see them explore their relationship and watch as their love for each other overcame boundaries that kept them apart. Viola’s friend Isis was also a great addition to the story, and her quick and witty humor, as well as her experience as a demon, helped bring a new light to the book. Even smaller characters, such as the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael, and even Death himself, left an impact on readers that left you wanting more time with them.

Representation: A Beautiful Portrayal

One element of this book that I loved was the relationship between Fox and Brandt, and how their relationship was portrayed. Before reading, I hadn’t known (or had forgotten) that there was an LGBTQ+ couple in the book. As someone in the LGBTQ+ community myself, it felt refreshing and validating to see their relationship so perfectly handled and well-written. It felt both authentic and natural, and this was so inspiring to see.

Their relationship was not used as a major plot device and was never made out as unusual in the narrative; they were simply just two people in love. This subtle representation made me so happy to see, and so excited to see how their relationship would play out.

Writing Style: Blake’s Lyrical Craft

Olivie Blake is such a talented author, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style in Masters of Death. The dialogue was engaging, and we were able to learn so much about the characters through how they interacted with each other, instead of just through exposition. We saw the characters through the eyes of the other characters, instead of just as a reader.

Each new chapter brought a different character’s perspective, allowing us to see situations through different characters’ eyes, as well as with their different emotional angles. This helped give a deeper look into what they were thinking and their different reactions to these situations. I also love how beautifully and seamlessly Blake was able to bring us to the past while also keeping us in the present. This helped reveal what motivated certain characters in the present and allowed for a cleaner way of unveiling new information about the story’s mysteries.

Final Thoughts: A Story that Lingers like a Ghost

Overall, Masters of Death was an amazing read, and I loved being fully immersed in this exciting world through Blake’s beautiful writing and intricate storytelling.

With this beautiful writing came equally beautiful artwork on the physical book. The inside cover art–both front and back– and the illustrations woven in some of the chapter breaks made it that much more enjoyable to read. Those small, thoughtful details added so much to the reading experience and made the book memorable long after I turned the final page.

If you are looking for a fun, witty, and magical experience, then Masters of Death is definitely worth the read!

Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.

First Impressions: Love at First Sight

While it is not always ideal to “judge a book by its cover,” I couldn’t help but fall immediately in love with this one at first sight. The bright, fun colors immediately pulled me in, and the picture itself did the same. Two girls, almost holding hands, the flowers blooming on their roller skates, and just the aesthetic and feel of the cover alone were enough for me to pick this book up and begin reading. 

I knew very little about the authors going into it, apart from Rachael Lippincott’s popular romance novel turned movie, Five Feet Apart. Though I never read it myself, I’d heard very pleasant things about both the book and the movie, so I was excited to be introduced to these two authors. After reading, I learned that the two were actually married, making the book that much more special.

The Romance: From Enemies to Friends to Lovers

She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls some say were witches. The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously, one after another, right on Godwin grounds.

First impressions: A Sapphic Mystery

I initially picked up this book because I was so excited to finally read a sapphic mystery/thriller. Most sapphic books I’ve read lean towards romance, so this felt just like what I was looking for. It ended up being exactly what I hoped for, and more. In fact, it became one of my favorite reads of the year. 

Even though it was released in 2021, I think this novel is still severely underrated. I hope more readers discover it, because it truly feels like a hidden masterpiece. 

Dark Academia: A Perfect Example

Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he’s going to die. He has a serious heart condition, and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what’s coming.

Valentino Prince is restarting his life in New York. He has a long and promising future ahead and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident.

Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, their lives are changed forever—one of them receives a call, and the other doesn’t. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together… even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking.

first impressions: a familiar ache

Immediately after The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera was released, I picked it up and was thrilled to be returned to the They Both Die at the End universe. The First to Die at the End is a prequel story, starting at the beginning of Death-Cast and the initial reactions of people to this new technology.

I really liked this book, flying through it in just 2 days. Though I enjoyed They Both Die at the End slightly more (it is very difficult to beat the original), I still thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Since I had already read They Both Die at the End, I knew more of what to expect with this story, and I thought I would be more prepared for the inevitable ending. This was unfortunately not the case, and I found myself, yet again, crying once I reached the end. There is just something about these stories that tug on my heartstrings, and Silvera does such an amazing job at making you feel every emotion, connecting you so deeply to these characters that it feels deeply personal when something terrible happens to them.

the story: where it all began

I was intrigued by what the story of The First to Die at the End would be, and how it would connect back to They Both Die at the End. I knew that it would be a prequel, judging by the title of the book and the blurb on the back cover. I was excited to see Silvera go deeper into Death-Cast and the origins of it, and how people would initially react to technology like this. I was perfectly content with how The First to Die at the End handled this, and I thought Silvera gave us just enough information to understand Death-Cast, but not too much so that there was still a mystery surrounding it.

What impacted me the most about this story was how it differed from They Both Die at the End. In the first book, both Mateo and Rufus received a call from Death-Cast, knowing that they were forming a connection before both of them met their end. This time around, however, only one of them received a call the day they met. For me, this made the story feel even more devastating. With only one of them living out their last day, the other has to learn how to live after someone he loves dies. Even though they had only been together for 24 hours, their connection was so strong that it felt like they had known each other for their entire lives. I can only imagine how that must feel, meeting someone you would want to spend your entire life with, knowing you only have 24 hours left with them. It’s heartbreaking, but it also might have brought them closer together. Knowing they have limited time, they wanted to make the most of it, trying to fit an entire lifetime into a single day.

the theme & the characters: living before dying

Even though The First to Die at the End had a different story from They Both Die at the End, I was glad to see some of the key themes from the first installment in this new one. To me, these books show how you should always be living life to the fullest, because in one day you can realize that you haven’t been living; you’ve always just been wasting time. You may not be able to realize this until you realize you are at the end, and this is why you should always treat every single day as if it is your last.

For our characters, Orion and Valentino, they weren’t given a lifetime together. They were only given one single day, and they didn’t want to waste the only time they had left together. They fit as much as they could into a 24-hour period, which made the ending that much more devastating because we knew that all they wanted was more time.

the relationship: when forever fits into a single day

I loved Mateo and Rufus in They Both Die at the End, and I was so glad to see I loved Orion and Valentino just as much. I found myself rooting for them almost immediately, and as soon as they met, I knew they would be such a perfect couple. They were flirtatious with each other almost instantly, but it still took them a decently long time to actually get together. It was almost a slow burn, and each time they were with one another, I wanted to yell, “Just get together already!” They had such an intimate bond that, as much as I loved them, they just emotionally destroyed me even more. Each time they had a first in their relationship, they, as well as the readers, knew that it would be their last as well. It was devastating to grow so close to them while knowing that one wouldn’t make it, and that the other would have to live on.

I loved how Silvera kept the LGBTQ representation in this story as well, since he did such an amazing job representing a queer couple in the first book. Orion and Valentino were just as perfect as Mateo and Rufus, and as a person in the LGBTQ community, it is so amazing to see queer relationships written so well.

the ending & final thoughts: hurting in the best way

Just like with the first book, I knew what was going to happen in the end, and realistically, I should have been prepared for the ending. But I still found myself emotionally devastated. After reading They Both Die at the End, I should have known what to expect, but I was still so distraught. I think this is just a testament to how amazing these books were, and how emotionally impacting they really were. I really loved The First to Die at the End, and if you read They Both Die at the End, I think you should absolutely check this one out too. Be prepared to read through your tears, but also for an amazing experience. Happy reading!

Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

First Impressions: A Broken Heart

I had heard so many amazing things about They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera before I even began reading the book, but one thought kept me from reading it: Doesn’t the title spoil the entire book? After I read the back of the book and I had a general understanding of the plot, I understood why this was the book title, and I immediately began reading.

This book was emotionally devastating in a way that I don’t know how to describe. I genuinely loved it, and I still feel such an intense connection to it. I should have been prepared for the ending, since I knew what would inevitably happen, but it did not make it any less upsetting. I believed I cried for about 3 hours afterward, and I am unsure if this is due to me being a sensitive person, or the emotional nature of the book (or both). I can confidently say that it emotionally destroyed me, but in such an incredible way.

The Story: One Last Day to Live

The story immediately pulled me in, and I could tell it was going to be an amazing book just by the creativity of the story. In an alternate version of our reality, where on the day you die, you get contacted by a company named Death-Cast and are told this will be your last day on Earth. While there are many stories out there surrounding death, I found it very intriguing that those in the They Both Die at the End universe are informed of their end day by a company, and that this situation has become normalized in this world. It makes me wonder how society would react after learning when your last day alive will be, and how quickly something like this can become normalized in a society. It also brings the question: what would you do if you knew you only had one day left?

Another captivating concept for me was the creation of the Last Friend app. I thought this was an incredibly sympathetic idea, and I hope that if somehow our world were to come to this reality, and you are told the day you are going to die, that this app is there for us. To think of how many people might be alone on their last day is deeply upsetting, and an app where you can meet with people who are experiencing the same thing as you are is beautiful. It speaks to human nature, how we crave human connection. For many, the last thing they want to do on this earth is have a meaningful conversation with someone, or even just be in someone else’s company.

The Theme: A Single Day, A Whole Lifetime

Another meaningful part of the book for me was the theme, and how one day lived, really lived, could be worth more than an entire lifetime just spent wasting time. You could live 18 years of your life, and it could take just one day to realize that you haven’t truly been living, and that’s terrifying. Everyone wants to live their lives to the fullest, but how do you know if this is the fullest if you have never experienced anything else?

The Characters and Their Relationship: Love in Borrowed Time

For our characters, Mateo and Rufus, it only took them one day to realize that their whole lives might have been leading up to them finding each other. Their relationship made the story so much more devastating. They were given such limited time together that once they realized their intimate connection, it was too late. They could feel themselves running out of time with each other, and it was heartbreaking to watch as they, along with the readers, realized it was going to come to an end.

Knowing that both of these characters would have to die in the end, I was afraid to turn each page, knowing that at any minute one of their lives could end. Mateo and Rufus had such a deep, personal connection with each other that was established so quickly, and I didn’t want to see this destroyed.

I also thought this book was an amazing representation of an LGBTQ relationship. They were just kids falling in love, and it didn’t matter if they were both boys, and it didn’t matter how much time was left. To them, it felt like they were the only two people in the world, and it was beautiful to read.

The Stylistic Choices: Two Voices, One Story

On a separate note, I enjoyed how Silvera gave us a dual perspective because it gave us a glimpse into both Mateo and Rufus’s personal lives. We got to see their experiences leading up to the call from Death-Cast, and we got to see their initial reactions to it. It felt like we knew both characters deeply and intimately, so watching as their relationship with each other developed made it that much more personal for the readers.

The Ending and Final Thoughts: “No Arm to Hold Me Back”

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

first impressions: back to ketterdam, one last time

As you were most likely able to discern from my last blog post, I absolutely loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and I was so excited to read Crooked Kingdom. Since this series was only a duology, I knew this story would end with Crooked Kingdom, and it was bittersweet, to say the least. Bardugo easily forced me to fall in love with these characters and with this story, and I didn’t want to turn that final page. But my excitement to read was just too great, and I began to immerse myself back into Bardugo’s Grishaverse as soon as I could.

After reading Six of Crows, I had expected to like Crooked Kingdom, though maybe not as much as its counterpart, since it was a sequel. But I was not expecting the sheer amount of love that I have for it. Unlike many other sequels, I find myself loving Crooked Kingdom just as much as I love Six of Crows, which does not happen often. Bardugo easily was able to live up to the stakes of Six of Crows, and Crooked Kingdom did not feel like it lacked even in the slightest. From the first page up until the very last I was fully immersed in the story, trapped in the action and experiences of the characters. Bardugo does such an amazing job of portraying this story, allowing readers to find ways to relate to the characters and their situations, but also incorporating a fantasy element to bring imagination to the table. Crooked Kingdom had the perfect balance of this, and Bardugo absolutely hit the mark.

the story: heists within heists

With Six of Crows, there was one sole agenda: the Ice Court heist. However, Crooked Kingdom took this to the next level, incorporating multiple heists and action-based sequences throughout the book. This increased the stakes to the point where I began to worry about the characters, wondering what would happen to them and whether or not their plans would be successful. With multiple different storylines to follow and tense situations that are tough to get out of, the story felt more scattered than Six of Crows. But this is by no means a negative or a criticism. I enjoyed the thrill of moving from situation to situation, because it allowed me to feel the stress of the characters, and the pressure they faced as they battled both with their own emotional turmoils, as well as their physical obstacles.

the characters: six hearts, one home

There was certainly enough emotional turmoil to go around. What I loved about Crooked Kingdom was how much more we were able to learn about their characters, especially their backstories. With a more faced-paced and multiple-things-happening-at-once plot, I was worried that the characters would get lost in the chaos, and we wouldn’t be able to see deeper into their backgrounds. But this was by no means the case, and it feels like we learned almost more about them this time around. Each character has such a unique upbringing, and each of their past experiences has influenced the way they live their lives in the present. I loved learning every little thing about our characters, and Bardugo did an amazing job at balancing so many intense personalities.

Crooked Kingdom had the same dynamic between the characters that I loved so much about Six of Crows, and though they all had such vastly different personalities, they fit together perfectly. I feel almost trauma-bonded to them, and by following them through these devastating situations, I know them so much better than I once did. Watching them interact with eachother could be so entertaining, and every time they were all together, they felt like a true “family,” and each character was given their moment to shine at one point or another.

One of the aspects of this book that I was the most excited about was the first chapter from Wylan’s perspective. I was disappointed in Six of Crows to see that he was the only character without a chapter from his point of view, but I knew that Bardugo would not let me down. In fact, Crooked Kingdom felt even more tailored to him, as well as him and Jespers relationship. I was so ecstatic to see this, and I felt they deserved to be shown in the spotlight a little bit more.

the relationships: love in the wreckage

I became obsessed with the relationships between these characters from the beginning, but Crooked Kingdom gave us even more insights into their emotional connectins. Both Kaz and Inej, as well as Wylan and Jesper, were given more page time, and it was beautiful to watch as they found love in a place that was once so dark. I was so glad to see more one on one time with Wylan and Jesper, and every time they were together, I couldn’t help but smile. They just fit so well, and I would read an entire spin-off just of them. While “Wesper” was my main focus on interest when it came to relationships in Crooked Kingdom, I was of course still rooting for Kaz and Inej. Their connection transcended any normal relationship, and it was lovely to see as Inej forced Kaz’s wall down and made him vulnerable in a way that he never was before.

A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

first impressions: welcome to the grishaverse

I was so excited to pick up Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, as it was my first introduction to Leigh Bardugo and the “Grishaverse.” I had heard about her Shadow and Bone series as well as her Six of Crows series, and I researched more into the Grishaverse and which installment I should start with first. Upon finding out that I could start with either series, I felt a pull towards Six of Crows, and I started the book as soon as I could get my hands on it.

I absolutely loved it, and I am so glad this book was the opening I had to Leigh Bardugo and the Grishaverse. It was the perfect way for me to be introduced to this story, and Six of Crows made this series one of my favorites of all time. I loved it so much that I even recommended it to my father, and he read the series and is just as passionate about it as I am. We even waited for the show, Shadow and Bone, to come out, and this series has connected us so much that I can’t help but thank Bardugo for that.

the story: six outcasts, one impossible job

Six of Crows is honestly one of my favorite books of all time, and one of the reasons for this is the story. Bardugo does such an amazing job of creating a vivid, engaging storyline that keeps you intrigued the entire time. The plot of the story surrounding the heist that the Crows were going to pull off was such an amazing storyline, and you could not put this book down even if you tried. I was obsessed with the planning, the action, and the aftermath of the heist, and how perfect the story seemed to tie together. The action-based plot of the book also allowed readers the see the different mechanics of the characters’ minds; how they react under pressure, their ultimate goals, and the things that influence their decisions. I really enjoyed how much we got to learn about the characters through the story, and not just from interactions between other characters or just the characters themselves.

The story took place throughout multiple points of view and from multiple characters’ perspectives, and it felt so rewarding to be able to see events unfold from different viewpoints. We were given a deeper glimpse into characters’ thoughts and feelings in these situations, and though I am upset that they didn’t give Wylan Van Eck a chapter from his perspective (seeing as he is my favorite character), I have faith that we will get to see more of his point of view in the second installment.

the characters: the beauty of being morally gray

Speaking of Wylan, I grew to love him throughout the entire story, and he became my favorite character of the series. There was this complexity to him, similar to the other characters, but one that felt more internal, more emotional. I deeply appreciated how much of a backstory we got on all of the characters, and how we grew to be so connected to them throughout the story. It made it so much easier to actually care about what was happening and become so much more invested in the storyline.

All of the characters in this story were so thoughtfully written and so beautifully complex. In another story, they might even be seen as the villains, but in this story, they are the heroes. They are all morally gray, but for their characters, their actions are driven by their innermost desires and their love for each other. Their dynamics with each other were so fun to watch play out, especially because I am obsessed with a found family trope. They all grew so much closer to each other throughout the course of the story, and it was comforting to see how much they risked their lives for each other in the face of danger.

the relationships: love in the middle of a heist

Six of Crows also had some of the best relationships in this story, and it was so comforting to see that each “main” character was able to find their special person. Each relationship felt so different from one another, and the diverse dynamics made each connection have a refreshing uniqueness. Kaz and Inej had such an intimate, emotional connection to one another, Nina and Matthias had such humorous interactions, and Wylan and Jesper understood each other on such a deeper level than anyone else. These differences made nothing about the story feel repetitive or overdone, and it was the perfect balance between learning more about the characters independently and diving into their relationships with other characters.

On first read, I absolutely fell in love with Wylan and Jesper’s relationship, and they were such a beautifully written Queer couple. Their slow-burning dynamic and their yearning for each other before actually getting together was so fun to read, and I so hope that Bardugo dives deeper into their relationship in the second installment.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.

first impressions: a tragedy written for me

I had heard about If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio on many social media sites, and I was instantly drawn to the story. The plot, focusing on seven Shakespearean students as they navigate their lives through a tragedy, was written for me. Of course it wasn’t, but it felt like the perfect story, exactly what I wanted to read. I am definitely one for dark academia, boarding school mysteries, and being centered around Shakespeare? It was my perfect read.

Reading If We Were Villains was one of the best choices I have ever made. It easily became my favorite book of all time, and I have yet to read another story that I love as much as this. This review is actually coming after my third reread of the book, because I simply could not get enough of it. I wanted to read it again and again, and I don’t think I could ever read it too many times. Each time I read, I only grew more connected to it, finding new details that had gone unnoticed and having a deeper understanding of the stories and characters.

the story: everything happens quietly

What first drew me in, and what continued to keep me connected to the book, was the storyline. In the beginning, we are introduced to certain events that occur, and as the story progresses, we see these events unfolding and their consequences. Rio did a fantastic job at keeping readers engaged, and it felt as though the story was happening all around me. I was immersed in a world that felt so authentic, and the characters’ rash decisions and the choices they made, and their consequences felt heavily realistic. As much as I might have wanted to, I could not pull my eyes away, feeling hypnotized by the story but terrified of what might happen next.

Another aspect of the story that I absolutely loved, and I applaud Rio so much for this, was that everything in this story happened quietly. The story is centered around a mystery, but what it’s really focused on is the aftermath and the unraveling that occurs in times of high stress and tension. There was never any loud action, never a shout or a yell. Sure, harsh words were exchanged, and the tension was so strong you could wield a knife and cut it. But everything happened in a whisper, so quiet that if you made no sound, it felt as though you could pretend that it wasn’t happening. That if you didn’t speak it, you wouldn’t have to believe it.

the characters: seven students, seven tragedies

This quiet unraveling worked so well for our characters, and I feel I was really able to get to know them by getting inside their heads. Rio wrote them in such a way that I was able to really connect with them, in all of their complexity and instability. And there was certainly enough complexity to go around. Oliver, especially, caused me to look deeply into his character and wonder what was going on inside his head. By seeing the story through his lens, readers were only able to go off of what he determined to be the truth. Through an unreliable narrator, Rip perfectly encapsulated the descent into madness throughout these characters’ friendships and relationships, and I wondered how much of what Oliver was thinking was actually the truth.

As their acting lives began to blend into their real lives, it was difficult for them to maintain their characters on and off-stage, and it was so captivating to watch as they battled with keeping themselves alive as their characters began to drown them out. Could we believe Oliver, or were we just witnessing his own descent into madness? I loved being able to think of these questions while reading, and it made reading this story a much more engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Each character felt so different from one another, each with their own personalities and desires. I loved how, even though we were told the story of If We Were Villains primarily through Oliver’s perspective, this didn’t stop us from still being able to thoroughly understand the other characters of the story. Each one was filled with depth and intricacy, never feeling as though we were only given the surface value of who they are at their core.

The characters’ connections to each other were also interesting to see play out, with multiple dynamics occurring at once. We were able to see Richard and Wren’s family dynamic, along with the potential romances between Oliver and Meredith and James and Wren, at one point. But what I loved most about these connections was seeing them through Oliver’s point of view. Oliver sees James and Wren becoming closer, and he believes that this must be a romantic development between them. But in reality, James and Oliver had been battling their growing feelings for each other quietly, and it was interesting to see what Oliver presumed to be true and what was actually the truth.

the relationships: oliver and james, a burning flame

These relationships between them ran so deep, and this immense connection to them I felt caused
me to be devastated by the end of the book. I so deeply loved Oliver and James’s relationship because of how intense and tragic it was, and how long both of their feelings had gone unspoken. The passion was always there, feeling connected to each other in a way that they could not explain, and that they would never feel with anyone else. But they had gone through the entire book unknowingly of what the other felt, and they were only able to experience these feelings with each other for a moment before everything crashed down around them. It is so emotionally devastating, and I can barely think about their relationship without tearing up. They loved each other in such an intricate and complex way that it didn’t present itself as a “normal” relationship, and this went unrecognized until it was too late.

Rio wrote a beautiful representation of a queer relationship, focusing on the quiet signs and realizations of being queer without explicitly stating the fact. Both James and Oliver had such intense longings for one another, but these feelings weren’t realized at first. They simply believed it was passion for one another, a deeper connection that they couldn’t understand. But Rio perfectly encapsulated the moment of realizing what these feelings are, and the timing of this understanding could not have been more tragic.