IF WE WERE VILLAINS
by M.L. Rio
KIRKUS REVIEW
A stunning and immersive debut novel that explores the inner workings of an arts school at which a student is found dead after a theater production.
When Oliver Marks is released from prison after ten years for a crime he may or may not have committed, the arresting officer, Det. Colborne, is there to greet him. Though Colborne is now retired, he wants to know the true story of what happened at Dellecher Classical Conservatory. Oliver reluctantly agrees to tell him and through flashbacks to his tumultuous fourth year in the acting program at Dellecher, we delve into the highly competitive and emotionally charged world of student thespians. Each student is typecast on-stage and off: Richard, the lead; Meredith, the femme fatale; Wren, the ingénue; James, the good guy; Alexander, the bad guy; Filippa, the extra; and Oliver, the "inconspicuous." When the usual cast list is shaken up, the plots and emotions of the Shakespeare plays "the seven" are living and breathing every hour of the day spill over into their personal lives. Then one of them is discovered dead and the rest not only have to accept one of them may have done it, but also have to convince the police (and themselves) they are innocent. The characters are at once both stereotypes in the roles they play both on and off stage, and fully realized individuals who want to be known for more than just how they look or how they act. Through Oliver's eyes, we see the various relationships between his fellow students who are closer to him than family, yet also strangers. Rio infuses every scene with details and modes of delivery that reinforce the dramatic atmosphere of the school (such as dialogue often appearing as it would in a playscript) and that heighten the ever-increasing tension between the seven students. With Colborne always in the background while Oliver relates his tale, the ominous feeling of impending tragedy builds with each scene change and line of dialogue delivered.
Written against the backdrop of Shakespeare's plays and woven through with a love of Shakespeare's language and characters, Rio crafts a tale of love, intrigue, jealousy, and revenge worthy of the Bard himself.
____________________________________________________Pub Date: April 11, 2017 Page count: 368 pp. Review Posted Online: Feb. 11th, 2020
ISBN: 978-1250095282 Publisher: Flatiron Books
Nicely done! I really struggled with writing the Kirkus style review, honestly I find writing book reviews challenging, but yours is a great example!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jennifer. This was really well written. I also struggled with mine without trying to put the entire novel into the review and then not sure of I put enough. When you're limited on what you can say about something, it makes it hard. I don't think I can do this regularly or for pay.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review sounds like something I would read! It actually sounds like a bit of a read alike to the horror book I just finished.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your annotation to find out what book this is!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your Kirkus-style review. To be honest, anything with Shakespeare mentioned is usually something I personally shy away from, but the way you described this story makes it seem intriguing and complex and one that I am adding to my "to-read" list!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I have never heard of this book- and it sounds like it would perfectly appeal to my inner theatre kid's black heart. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteWow! This book sounds excellent! Your summary and killer ending line have piqued my interest. Great job on this. Full points!
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