--- product_id: 518810792 title: "If We Were Villains" price: "324 kr" currency: DKK in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.dk/products/518810792-if-we-were-villains store_origin: DK region: Denmark --- # If We Were Villains **Price:** 324 kr **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** If We Were Villains - **How much does it cost?** 324 kr with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.dk](https://www.desertcart.dk/products/518810792-if-we-were-villains) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Oliver Marks has just served ten years for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day of his release, he is greeted by the detective who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, and he wants to know what really happened a decade before. As a young actor at an elite conservatory, Oliver noticed that his talented classmates seem to play the same characters onstage and off – villain, hero, temptress – though he was always a supporting role. But when the teachers change the casting, a good-natured rivalry turns ugly, and the plays spill dangerously over into real life. When tragedy strikes, one of the seven friends is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless... Review: dark, atmospheric, and absolutely captivating - If We Were Villains is dark, atmospheric, and absolutely captivating. The story draws you into an elite world of Shakespearean theater where friendship, obsession, and ambition blur into something dangerous. I loved the tension between the characters and how the mystery slowly unravels—every chapter adds another layer. The writing is lush and lyrical, and the ending stayed with me long after I finished. A must-read for anyone who loves Dark Academia and character-driven stories. Review: Having said that I am more than happy with my choice and I hope that more people ... - What a breath of fresh air! Lately I haven't been able to start reading a book without first doing a heap of research; reading reviews on multiple sites, checking the author's previous works, etc. I took a chance on this book, I was neither familiar with the author nor had I ever heard of the book before. To top it off it's not even the type of book that I would typically seek out to read. Having said that I am more than happy with my choice and I hope that more people decide to venture out and try this intriguingly odd gem. I will say that at first glance this book probably only appeals to a particular type of person. Seven students immersed in a performing art college, they live and breathe the plays of Shakespeare in hopes of surviving til graduation and truly making it as thespians. Having attended a performing arts school myself (although not for acting), I was initially drawn to this concept which to me is like a trip down memory lane, but I can say that, like many I'm sure, I initially hesitated at the idea that I would have to again try my hand at comprehending Shakespeare. And truthfully by the end of the story, while I can't say that I understand Shakespeare better, I can say that Rio breathed new life into the centuries old plays, and that the addition of the Shakespearian quotes throughout the novel (at least those that I understood), added greatly to the expression of the characters feelings. It was through these quotes that I could truly feel that the heartache and passions of all seven students. I was also nervous about Rio's decision to follow the lives of seven characters. That is a lot of main characters to follow and I find that a lot of times when authors decide to split the book amongst so many people, characters are either half developed or some are pushed to the side in an effort to develop a few. Somehow Rio manages to succeed in her first novel where others have failed. Richard, Meredith, Alexander, Oliver, James, Filippa, and Wren are all unique in both personalities and personas. At first I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep them apart, but shortly into the book I could clearly delineate them from one another. Impressive as it is that Rio manages to give us seven uniquely complete characters, the true feat is in their interactions with each other. As much as one is reading to figure out the who's and what's of the murder, I was even more interested in learning how the interactions between the seven lead to the deadly consequences. How their ever changing relationships slowly crumbled and who was left to pick up the resulting pieces. Each character was so intimately bound to the others, Richard to Meredith, James to Oliver, and it dissolves from there. Their relationships were fascinating and nerve wracking. I felt intimately acquainted with every struggle and feeling, with the building and fracturing of their lives and livelihood. I wanted to yell out at Oliver to stop, I wanted to give James a hug. I wanted someone to help Alexander. I wanted Meredith to be understood and Filippa to be acknowledged. I wanted so much for everyone and then I wanted even more. I never thought it would be possible to write action into a passive story. Rio's performances are written as strong and intense as some of the grittiest fight scenes. She builds tension like the best of them. I've never been so nervous as to the ending of a play in my entire life. And each one had me sitting on the edge of my seat for more than one reason. I think it's a testament to her writing ability that scenes, which can be stripped down to their bare bones as recitations of Shakespearean prose, can be so exciting. I am so happy that I decided to give this book a go. I hope that anyone who is looking to try out something different will give it a try. I'll definitely be keeping my eye on Rio for any future novels. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,113,003 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) | | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 18,750 Reviews | ## Images ![If We Were Villains - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Rqr9YfePL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ dark, atmospheric, and absolutely captivating *by N***G on November 11, 2025* If We Were Villains is dark, atmospheric, and absolutely captivating. The story draws you into an elite world of Shakespearean theater where friendship, obsession, and ambition blur into something dangerous. I loved the tension between the characters and how the mystery slowly unravels—every chapter adds another layer. The writing is lush and lyrical, and the ending stayed with me long after I finished. A must-read for anyone who loves Dark Academia and character-driven stories. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Having said that I am more than happy with my choice and I hope that more people ... *by Q***Y on November 3, 2017* What a breath of fresh air! Lately I haven't been able to start reading a book without first doing a heap of research; reading reviews on multiple sites, checking the author's previous works, etc. I took a chance on this book, I was neither familiar with the author nor had I ever heard of the book before. To top it off it's not even the type of book that I would typically seek out to read. Having said that I am more than happy with my choice and I hope that more people decide to venture out and try this intriguingly odd gem. I will say that at first glance this book probably only appeals to a particular type of person. Seven students immersed in a performing art college, they live and breathe the plays of Shakespeare in hopes of surviving til graduation and truly making it as thespians. Having attended a performing arts school myself (although not for acting), I was initially drawn to this concept which to me is like a trip down memory lane, but I can say that, like many I'm sure, I initially hesitated at the idea that I would have to again try my hand at comprehending Shakespeare. And truthfully by the end of the story, while I can't say that I understand Shakespeare better, I can say that Rio breathed new life into the centuries old plays, and that the addition of the Shakespearian quotes throughout the novel (at least those that I understood), added greatly to the expression of the characters feelings. It was through these quotes that I could truly feel that the heartache and passions of all seven students. I was also nervous about Rio's decision to follow the lives of seven characters. That is a lot of main characters to follow and I find that a lot of times when authors decide to split the book amongst so many people, characters are either half developed or some are pushed to the side in an effort to develop a few. Somehow Rio manages to succeed in her first novel where others have failed. Richard, Meredith, Alexander, Oliver, James, Filippa, and Wren are all unique in both personalities and personas. At first I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep them apart, but shortly into the book I could clearly delineate them from one another. Impressive as it is that Rio manages to give us seven uniquely complete characters, the true feat is in their interactions with each other. As much as one is reading to figure out the who's and what's of the murder, I was even more interested in learning how the interactions between the seven lead to the deadly consequences. How their ever changing relationships slowly crumbled and who was left to pick up the resulting pieces. Each character was so intimately bound to the others, Richard to Meredith, James to Oliver, and it dissolves from there. Their relationships were fascinating and nerve wracking. I felt intimately acquainted with every struggle and feeling, with the building and fracturing of their lives and livelihood. I wanted to yell out at Oliver to stop, I wanted to give James a hug. I wanted someone to help Alexander. I wanted Meredith to be understood and Filippa to be acknowledged. I wanted so much for everyone and then I wanted even more. I never thought it would be possible to write action into a passive story. Rio's performances are written as strong and intense as some of the grittiest fight scenes. She builds tension like the best of them. I've never been so nervous as to the ending of a play in my entire life. And each one had me sitting on the edge of my seat for more than one reason. I think it's a testament to her writing ability that scenes, which can be stripped down to their bare bones as recitations of Shakespearean prose, can be so exciting. I am so happy that I decided to give this book a go. I hope that anyone who is looking to try out something different will give it a try. I'll definitely be keeping my eye on Rio for any future novels. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it *by S***R on June 23, 2023* Oliver is being released from prison after serving his sentence for murder. The detective who sent him there has also visited him through the years. Joe is no longer a cop. He wants to know the truth of what happened 10 years ago. Oliver agrees to tell him once he is out of prison. They meet at the school where it all happened and Oliver tells the tale. I loved this book. Oliver and his friends are drama students at Dellecher Classical Conservatory. They are now in their fourth year. Things are changing between them and not necessarily for the better. Richard has always gotten the leads in the Shakespearean plays they do. Meredith is his girlfriend and usually has the female lead. Oliver's roommate is James. They get the sidekick roles usually while Alexander gets the villain roles. Wren, Richard's cousin, and Filippa get the remaining female roles or cross-dress for the male roles. They have been accustomed to these roles although some would like to expand their repertoire. One night a party goes wrong and Richard is found in the lake bleeding. The remaining six make a decision. Is it the right one? So much happens. I liked how the book is written in an almost play format as Oliver tells the story. I did finally figure out who did it. I know why Oliver made his decisions. I could not say why the others made their decisions. Their last play together, King Lear, was explosive. I liked how the play ended. I cannot say I agree with Oliver's decision, but I understand it. I liked Filippa a lot. She is true blue. Meredith was a mean girl. I do not know what Oliver saw in her. I liked James. I wish a few things about him had been clearer throughout the story. Richard was a bully. Alexander was troubled. Wren was there but not always noticeable. This is one of the best books I've read this year. I was hooked from the first page. ## Frequently Bought Together - If We Were Villains: The Sensational TikTok Book Club pick: M.L. Rio - The Secret History: From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Goldfinch - Babel: The SUNDAY TIMES and #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.dk/products/518810792-if-we-were-villains](https://www.desertcart.dk/products/518810792-if-we-were-villains) --- *Product available on Desertcart Denmark* *Store origin: DK* *Last updated: 2026-07-07*