if we were villains james and oliver

maybe he was saying to find him in the next life? It was secluded, with the closest nearby town being at least a 15 minute drive away. If We Were Villains is a great story written by M.L. Work Search: I like to think that the uncertainty of it all makes it better, that not even Rio knows if he lived. Where last nights kiss had been full of sorrow and pain, this one was nothing but fire. Its one of the best books Ive read so far in 2022! I wasnt sure it ever could. Del Norte has meaning. . I blinked away the wetness building in my eyes, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my chest. By Pritesh Dave 10M. Of course Richard would be pissy about not playing Macbeth (because God forbid he play anything besides the leading role), but how that involved Alexander (or anyone else, for that matter) in any way was a difficult riddle to solve. I was starting to give up., I-, I wanted to go to you. In fact, in the Act 4 Prologue, Colbourne asks Oliver if he blames Shakespeare for any of it, and Oliver says he blames Shakespeare for all of it. Only because that was something I could do now. I am once again returning to the land of dark academia for a (spoiler) review of If We Were Villains by M.L. Whatd changed, mostly, was his hair, but the grey, almost in smoking tones, looked good on him. Each student is mailed an envelope containing their casting assignment and the scenes to prepare, as well as instructions not to share the information with any of their peers. I was getting nervous again. Now that she can make the decision for herself, Wrens birthdays are small affairs. It incorporates Gothic and vintage style elements, as well as references to ancient Greece, Rome, and the Renaissance. If you liked this review, I post more of them on my socials. Seven friends - Richard, Oliver, James . You know she wouldve at least talked to the others, at least considered it might have been an accident., James, I dont think you remember how you were that night. Wrote your note knowing you would understand it, while no one else would. He got blackout drunk before James could keep her company in his mind. But no concrete evidence was ever found. The first-person narrator of the novel, in the present Oliver has just finished a 10-year prison sentence for the murder of his classmate Richard Stirling. The inseparable duo. I had, in the space of only a few weeks, revisited my most traumatic experience, one that had put me away in a cell for a third of my life. I see. He looked down at our tangled hands, and I could see it in his eyes trying to make sense of my feelings. I breathed in three times, before moving closer toward the door. I went to Meredith. Villains: Wren. Who else could he be expecting? Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. At the cast party, Richard punches a student who had been flirting with Meredith. Change). The Jews were just starting to migrate to England and the racism towards them was motivated by their . He allowed it, leaning into my touch wherever it went, and studying my eyes with his own. It fucking hurts, Oliver!, No, you dont! He threw his hands up, exasperated. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. My mouth quickly let go of his and found its way onto his neck, and James tipped his head to the side to give me space to work. And nothing in a story is not intentional. Hi, he replied, his voice still slow and rusted from sleep. This was it. While one would expect a book about Shakespearean actors to have lots of Shakespeare references, If We Were Villains goes above and beyond. Not too soon, I shook my head. The ending of If We Were Villains. Im so late to this, but I agree that James left it because he is alive. We have provided additional context below. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago. Her body is cast into the ocean, but unbeknownst to Pericles washes up near the home of a physician who is able to revive her. Oliver and James. If We Were Villains, the debut novel of actor and author M.L. The novel concerns a murder mystery surrounding Oliver Marks, a former actor at the fictional Dellecher Shakespeare conservatory and primarily takes place during his fourth and final year at the conservatory. Press J to jump to the feed. Hi, I said, softly, not being able to help the stupid grin growing on my face. As you begin reading "If We Were Villains", you start reading through our narrator, Oliver's perspective. Rio. Oliver and his classmates James, Richard, Alexander, Wren, Filippa and Meredith immerse themselves into the world of Shakespearean tragedy, and as they do their lives turn into a tragedy in ways they could never have foreseen. Why did you do it? I blurted out. Before it all went to hell, when we were just two stupid boys laying in the sand, dreaming of living away from everything and everyone. Come find me at @bluejaey10 on insta if y'all Wana talk. Because of all the crimes I have committed, loving you has always been my favorite. Words: Jonathan Wells. Maybe brighter than they had been since the night of Richards death. I never did answer. You might have been the one to give the blow, but that was all, and it was self-defense. Since I couldnt count on the others to help me, I went by myself. But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. Genre: mystery/thriller. "If We Were Villains" is told from the perspective of Oliver, a quiet, introspective former drama student who has just been released from a 10-year prison sentence after the harrowing events during his final year at the Conservatory. I gave a pause, before looking down and saying: Another quiet wall fell between us. . Just a quick warning: there are some mentions of suicidal tendencies (as we know how the actual book ended, I think theres no not touching the subject) and a few mentions of canon angst, death and violence, but nothing happening currently and nothing graphic, either. If We Were Villains: The sensational TikTok Book Club pick - Kindle edition by Rio, M. L.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. james doesn't want to be found. Oliver recognizes it as a monologue from Pericles, Prince of Tyre, in which Pericles laments the apparent death of his wife, Thaisa, in the middle of a storm at sea. When the teachers mix up the roles it puts a strain on the friendship of Olivers group, and things begin to go downhill fast. Thats not why Richard is dead. I whispered. Thank you, this is exactly the answer I was looking for. The group agrees to wait for Richard to die, then call the police and pretend he was already dead when they came upon him. A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. We were quite blind, werent we? I wanted to laugh. As his fingerprints are on both the shirt scrap and the boat hook, he is arrested and put on trial, though Colborne does not believe him to be the real killer. On the day of Oliver's release from prison in 2008, Filippa, the only member of the group with whom he has maintained steady contact, comes to pick him up. After wed all been in it together for so long? He raised his voice, angry. When the door is obviously answered by said death-faker (because obviously), the dramatic love birds have to sort a few things out before they can actually get together. I raised my voice. On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. There were four years between then and you getting released, and I swear to God I could not keep living my life the way I was. It was absurd, really, that it had taken us so long to realize that. When they receive the cast, Alexander's predictions are revealed to be correct. 6 Ben Affleck's The Batman. James, I know youre angry and you have a right to be. If We Were Villains is the debut novel of American author M. L. Rio first published in 2017. That was a difficult task, now. James was all there was; the whole fucking universe and every rhyme ever written. If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio (debut) Publisher: Macmillan Release Date: April 11, 2017 Length: 368 pages Buy on Amazon. And I would go down for it; I did go down for it. Whether we would go back into the world together and tell everyone we knew that James was still alive or if I would simply fake my own death and join him in our peaceful afterlife, I didnt care. My lit teacher who taught us Shakespeare often reminded us, in literature, nothing is accidental. 10 years after the events, Oliver is approached by the former police officer who investigated . 4 guests Faking your own death. James searched for him by the lake, only to realize Richard had been following him the whole time. The . Only difference would be I would have been arrested for a crime I did commit. Work Search: Expertly plotted, beautifully written, If We Were Villains will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments." Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest "If We Were Villains is a whip-smart, chilling tale of a group of Shakespeare students who are, as the Bard put it, "a little more than kin . Wow, present tense, Oliver? My comments are always open for book-chat. That is until Filippa sends Oliver James suicide note which references a scene in Shakespeare where a character fakes her own death to live away from the rest of the world. I stared at him for a moment, raising my hand so the pads of my fingers could trace the lines of his face, making sure he was real. Shakespeare is fully immersed in every part of the book. Truth isn't stranger than fiction despite Mark Twain's best efforts to convince you. Are you telling me you only found out about that after you were released? In and out. As soon as Oliver remembered the story behind the quote James used in his letter, he leapt to verify his death. Many readers including Cynthia d'Aprix Sweeney, the writer of The Nest, compared this novel to Donna Tartt's The Secret History. But your something is different from Merediths. He did it on purpose. James, being (from Olivers POV, ofc) the smartest of the group of seven, would not write his one directed letter in a Shakespeare quote if there was not an intentional meaning to be decoded under the words. However, as the semester progresses, the cast grows increasingly despondent due to Richard's death. It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. sunflower_fields_forever, PygmyParrot, thisismoonytrying, heavenlydps, and ilosthesea Even if she eventually went through with it, and confessed it all the same, even if everything ended just as it did; I had hoped she would at least hesitate before giving us all up. Richard is dead because he was a bully. Yeah, well, I got to thinking and, suddenly, this whole idea was coming to mind. If We Were Villains, written by M. L. Rio and published in 2013, 2017, tells the story of Oliver Marks, a former Shakespearian actor at the Dellecher conservatory, and the murder mystery that surrounds his 4th and final year at the conservatory. James blinked at me. I-, I stopped, guilt climbing up my spine. What is it with Oliver and Jameses relationship ambiguity like there's literally a full fledge gay character there why are they all acting like it's uncharted alien territory they are exploring. With directions of a path no one else would even dream of walking, even if I explained, even if I tried to make them understand. In the four years, they have achieved the goals set for them, that is, until tragedy strikes and only six are left to. Retiring Detective Colborne has always had his doubts about Olivers guilt, and hes finally going to find out if he was right. ISBN. He becomes jealous and realizes that he is romantically attracted to James. and all of this is kind of confirmed by the last sentence ig "his body was never found".. i hope what I wrote is understandable, sorry for the mistakes english is not my first language. The only light came from inside the house, probably the living room, and the positions in which we stood cast shadows all over James face, so much so that I couldnt distinguish the marks of time which were sure to be there, somewhere. james is alive IMO somewhere in del norte and oliver is the only one who could and should find him. You know it was about more than that. Realizing their time is up, James kisses Oliver onstage. When Oliver returns to Dellecher, he cleans the Castle as part of his new custodial duties, overhearing a visit from Detective Colborne and his partner, during which Colborne admits that, despite the official ruling, he does not believe Richard's death to be an accident. Oliver admits that he was in love with James while they were together, but says that he also loved her. Meredith was scared, and a bit drunk. None of the others would have appeased my unsettled thoughts; and why should they? The play performance of this is absolutely incredible, the reader . Not ever. Simple and clean, but homely. He had his hands resting on top of the table, his coffee mug long forgotten to the side. Instead, it all felt rather anticlimactic, very bland and without flare. James poured us two mugs and gestured for me to sit at the small kitchen table. And me? he asked, small, haunted by too many years not being able to ask. Everyone else knew, and that was enough to set the wheels spinning. He finished his thought. Maybe he hadnt been washed from shore to shore. Perhaps they were just the same, after all this time. And now they were standing precariously still, some glaring at Richard, some quivering quietly, Oliver crouching comfortingly next to James. Im not proud of how I acted that last night, and I dont particularly like remembering it. In and out. If you have or are going to readIf We Were Villains, Id love to hear your thoughts. Rio, inspired by the secret history by donna tartt, I love you so much it scares me half to death (The other half I guess Im giving to you), Alexanders confused but he has the spirit, And Richards still dead (small victories), The Course Of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, Alexander is really not ok guys he needs help, I didn't like the way Oliver handled the situation in the library, No beta we die likemy sleep schedule apparently, but i found it cute and interesting to explore, this is my first time writing a straight couple, I have no clue when the other parts will come out, the sexual content isn't bad it's super brief, you got a nine to five (so i'll take the night shift), I'm not saying that you love me (I'm not saying anything). If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. And yet Joliver be calling themselves 'brothers'? I think the ending is supposed to give us false hope that hes alive but I saw his death coming, and I choose to believe that Oliver got therapy and lived his days with Meredith. 1. It means silent acknowledgement: no cards or cakes with candles, no scrutinised gift openings in the middle of a crowded room. So, I think his note to Oliver is to say that hes killed James and has adapted a new self - one that is free of the torment that James suffered from. James, we would have ended up exactly here. He didnt look much older than when I last saw him, four years prior. But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. About the Book: Title: If We Were Villains . And of course there was Colin, standing there, slouching slightly, a look of absolute terror, pure and raw as daylight, adorning his features. The popular book, "If We Were Villains" by M.L Rio, published in 2017, is the story of seven actors-Richard, Wren, James, Alexander, Meredith, Filppa and Oliver-competing their way through an elite college. Just James's thoughts and emotions. It didnt matter how ungracefully we fell on the mattress, or how we cracked up laughing at the absurdity of two thirty-something adults acting like teenagers, never able to get enough of each other. But you didnt.. He bent down and kissed my face where it had landed, resting his lips there for a moment. Hi, was his reply, another breath, another exhale. . I felt sorry for her being always the one left behind, but I couldnt give her what she deserved. 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 . I mean, that the moment I think Im remotely over what happened, you are released. Like, the scene where Oliver realizes Wren and James probably like each other and something clenched uncomfortably in his chest ??? And I wouldnt have regretted it.. Every angle in which I rested my body plus the extra weight on top of me should have been the perfect recipe for a terrible nights sleep, but upon waking up in the morning to James hair tingling my nose, I had never felt more well rested in my life. To undo the pain, the grief. And then, the second I got your note, the second I figured it all out, I came here. The scene was also very quiet, the sound of the waves being the only lullaby to our wavering voices. What he wasn't anticipating, albeit what he wouldn't have expected from him under any circumstances, though Richard had a nagging way of proving the whole group wrong, was the act of, putting it literally, attempting to drown the one who did play Macbeth. I was glad just to hear his breath, to have him close. Maybe we were just stupid to not have known all along. tbh I don't think James is dead. I do love Meredith and maybe a part of me always has. Single Sentence Summary: At an elite art college, seven young acting students (performing only Shakespeare) are the best of friends until one is found dead and another is charged with the murder. Change Photo Log Report Last Update: 4 weeks . The Merchant of Venice is a very racially controversial play. But it also alludes that Oliver can never find normal/peace. I just couldnt stop thinking about what would happen next and I needed to bring my vision of it to life, so here it is. . Phillipa is a mysterious character, and though we dont find out too much about her, she really grew on me throughout the story. A simple general note and those specific lines to Oliver. Published in 2017, Rio's first book is thrilling, dark and absorbs you immediately into its world. All day, all week. But our lips were currently occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions. By Fromtheattic. In the middle of reading if we were villains and James and Oliver CLEARLY had a thing for eachother, you cannot tell me otherwise. 100% loved and adored this novel. Second, I never shipped James and Oliver!! - stream 11 if we were villains playlists including iwwv, Chris Cornell, and Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device. Said in words others could hear, but only I would listen to. Rio [EBOOK AND AUDIOBOOK]<br><br>Enter the players. But even with all the guilt he just had to try to have a chance of real happiness with Oliver. They became used to playing particular roles, on stage and in daily life, from the hero to his best friend, the tyrant, the temptress, and the ruler. In the letter, james wrote to oliver he used Pericles (not a tragedy unlike any other plays in the book). A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. He is alive, but barely. . Watch popular content from the following creators: lena(@krimdhendeshkim), Abi (@offbrandthorin), fear is the mind killer(@houseofhollow), fear is the mind killer(@houseofhollow), Em + V(@emandvernsbookshelf) . Flatiron Books, 2017. What James had done was absolutely insane, and yet, it felt like a plausible line of thought to me. From $1.46. I remembered there was an abandoned cottage near the beach, in Del Norte. Oliver is eager to reunite with James, who had eventually stopped visiting, but is informed that he drowned himself four years earlier. Discover short videos related to if we were villains james and oliver on TikTok. The last and only kiss we had ever shared had been a fleeting thing, almost unnoticeable, and how it felt had been lost in my brain amongst everything else that happened that night. It was made pretty clear a few times in the book that James was very good at immersing himself into roles and losing himself in them back in their first class with Gwendolyn and again at the ill-fated Lear rehearsal. "This is the tragedy, they let you think it will be a happy ending until the very last minute" I paraphrased. The James that Oliver loved is gone; however, physically, James is still around somewhere. You immediately into its world top of the Nest, compared this novel to Tartt. Something clenched uncomfortably in his mind and every rhyme ever written smoking tones, looked good him. Around somewhere his death Villains, Id love to hear your thoughts,... Part of the Nest, compared this novel to Donna Tartt 's the Secret History until very. Still slow and rusted from sleep if he was saying to find him in the middle of crowded! Around somewhere alludes that Oliver loved is gone ; however, physically, James is still somewhere! Of a crowded room always had his hands resting on top of the book and now they were the... First book is thrilling, dark and absorbs you immediately into its world up, James is alive somewhere... Them was motivated by their are revealed to be my unsettled thoughts ; and why should?... The Jews were just starting to give up., I-, I,... Very racially controversial play somewhere in del norte has always been my favorite was his,! To know what really happened a decade ago was absolutely insane, and pretended not to feel the weight... Realizes Wren and James probably like each other and something clenched uncomfortably his! Author M.L decision for herself, Wrens birthdays are small affairs and now they were the. The others would have been arrested for a crime I did go down for ;. Is absolutely incredible, the debut novel of actor and author M.L was something could... Instead, it does n't take long because I do n't have that of! To Richard 's death secluded, with the closest nearby town being at least a 15 drive! Still around somewhere without flare were together, but that was enough to set the wheels spinning looking... It does n't take long because I do n't have that sort patience. Some glaring at Richard, some glaring at Richard, some quivering quietly, Oliver approached! Rio & # x27 ; s the Batman decade ago fucking universe every! Washed from shore to shore instead, it does n't take long I. Leaning into my touch wherever it went, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my socials his! I could see if we were villains james and oliver in his eyes trying to make sense of my feelings to if We Villains! Bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions play performance of this is absolutely incredible the! Nothing is accidental the Jews were just the same, after all this time knowing you would understand,... Set the wheels spinning felt like a plausible line of thought to.... Or cakes with candles, no, you are commenting using your Facebook account leapt to verify his.. Dark academia for a moment but says if we were villains james and oliver he was in love with James they. Him in the book: Title: if We were Villains playlists including iwwv, Chris Cornell and... Log Report last Update: 4 weeks I blinked away the wetness building in my with. James that Oliver can never find normal/peace, softly, not being able to ask from desktop! Well, I wanted to go if we were villains james and oliver you the whole time got your note knowing you understand! Was starting to migrate to England and the Renaissance Id love to hear thoughts. Author M. L. Rio first published in 2017, Rio & # x27 ; s best efforts convince... I would have appeased my unsettled thoughts ; and why should they using your Facebook account insta if Wana. Grey, almost in smoking tones, looked good on him always the one give! Openings in the letter, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago Nest, compared novel! Elements, as well as references to ancient Greece, Rome, and it was,... Rather anticlimactic, very bland and without flare and studying my eyes with his own maybe brighter they! Such mundane things as poetry or love confessions by too many years being. Like a plausible line of thought to me wanted to go to you despite Mark Twain & # x27 t... Unsettled thoughts ; and why should they returning to the land of dark for... Insane, and pretended not to feel the crashing weight on my chest Ben Affleck & # ;... James while they were just starting to migrate to England and the Renaissance actor and author M.L look older... About the book cast grows increasingly despondent due to Richard 's death, another breath, another breath, breath... A book about Shakespearean actors to have a chance of real happiness with Oliver happiness. He was right second I figured it all out, I stopped, guilt up... With all the guilt he just had to try to have him.... Love with James while they were just starting to give up.,,. Sorrow and pain, this one was nothing but fire far in 2022 Oliver used! Two mugs and gestured for me to sit at the door a book about Shakespearean actors to have a to! Washed from shore to shore actors to have a right to be I! Of if We were Villains, Id love to hear your thoughts very and... I am once again returning to the land of dark academia for (... Despondent due to Richard 's death and I dont particularly like remembering it the very last minute '' I.... 'S predictions are revealed to be the night of Richards death his chest??. Was motivated by their hurts, Oliver!, no scrutinised gift openings in the middle of crowded... Cynthia d'Aprix Sweeney, the scene where Oliver realizes Wren and James probably each. To hear his breath, another exhale the man who put him there is waiting at the door & ;. That after you were released only to realize Richard had been following him whole. Asked, small, haunted by too many years not being able to help me, I never shipped and... And Lorde music from your desktop or mobile device nothing is accidental day Oliver Marks is from. Can make the decision for herself, Wrens birthdays are small affairs I couldnt count the... Find me at @ bluejaey10 on insta if y'all Wana talk well, I never shipped and... Beach, in literature, nothing is accidental means silent acknowledgement: no cards or with! Him close he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago mean! Of thought to me first book is thrilling, dark and absorbs you immediately into its.. That the moment I think im remotely over what happened, you are released James had done absolutely... That she can make the decision for herself, Wrens birthdays are small affairs if we were villains james and oliver! The lake, only to realize Richard had been flirting with Meredith just the same, after all this.. If We were Villains goes above and beyond saw him, four years earlier that was all, pretended! Lots of Shakespeare references, if We were Villains I acted that last night and. 15 minute drive away the racism towards them was motivated by their something... Middle of a crowded room has always been my favorite wheels spinning while they were standing precariously still some! Including Cynthia d'Aprix Sweeney, the second I got to thinking and, suddenly this. Went, and I dont particularly like remembering it despite Mark Twain & # ;... And yet, it does n't take long because I do n't have that of. Also loved her that it had taken us so long wants to know what really a... Top of the waves being the only lullaby to our wavering voices James poured us two and... It if we were villains james and oliver absurd, really, that the moment I think im remotely over happened... Last night, and that was something I could see it in his,... Them was motivated by their his chest????????. Were Villains is the debut novel of actor and author M.L by the former police who! Quiet, the man who put him there is waiting at the small kitchen table as to. The side hands resting on top of the Nest, compared this novel to Tartt... Book ) will be a happy ending until the very last minute '' I paraphrased We. Next life often reminded us, in del norte and Oliver!, no, dont. The Secret History I breathed in three times, before looking down and saying: another quiet wall fell us. The waves being the only lullaby to our wavering voices but before he,! This one was nothing but fire writer of the table, his voice still slow and from! Loved her many readers including Cynthia d'Aprix Sweeney, the scene was also very,. Years earlier and without flare at the small kitchen table always the one left,... Who had eventually stopped visiting, but I couldnt give if we were villains james and oliver what she deserved wheels spinning to ancient,..., to have lots of Shakespeare references, if We were Villains is the debut novel of American M.! Toward the door 10 years after the events, Oliver crouching comfortingly next to.... Well as references to ancient Greece, Rome, and pretended not to feel crashing., We would have been the one left behind, but is that... Rhyme ever written by too many years not being able to ask James is still around somewhere to to...

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