REVIEW: All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman
I have received an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book through the author. This has not affected my rating in any way.
This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Thank you to Amanda Foody for sending me a signed Advance Reader’s Copy of All of Us Villains!
Let me just start of with the fact that Briony Thorburn owns my heart.
Now, for the actual review.
Now, for the actual review.
Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman's All of Us Villains is The Hunger Games with Harry Potter-style magic and The Legend of Zelda-worthy dungeons. We follow four of the seven elected Champions: Alistair Lowe, Isobel Macaslan, Briony Thorburn, and Gavin Grieve. Each has a goal coming into this tournament- entitled the Blood Veil- some darker than others, and the media is waiting to watch as the Champion of each family battles to the death for control of Illvernath's magic supply.
For me, All of Us Villains has its pros and cons. More pros than cons, for me, but I do feel like I should mention the cons first.
What I Didn’t Like:
Firstly, the world building. My ARC of All of Us Villains didn’t include a map, so it was hard to imagine Ilvernath in the first place. I’m also still confused on where the Blood Veil took place. At first I thought it was on the outskirts of the town, but then Gavin was able to get back into the town even though the Blood Veil should keep them out? I was kinda confused about how he was able to do that.
Second, the magic system. I get the spellstones, and the difference between the classes of them, but I still don’t understand it completely. How do you cast them? Do you throw it, crush it? That was confusing, because all of the sentences about them would be like “Alistair used a Flicker and Flare” okay but how??
Finally, the ending. The ending of All of Us Villains didn’t fit the pace of the rest of the book. It felt very rushed, and the POVs were changing so quick between each other. Also, I would’ve thought that the Blood Veil would’ve been over by the end of the book, and the second book would’ve been about the main characters dealing with the aftermath.
What I Did Like:
First, the characters. The main characters was what kept me reading through the book. I loved Briony from the start, but then I really started liking Isobel after Briony did… that to her sister, then back to Briony by the end. Briony and Isobel are my faves, but Alistair and Gavin are great too. They just had to grow on me (especially Gavin, because I didn’t like him at all until the end).
Second, the plot. At first glance, I genuinely thought that this might be a Hunger Games ripoff with magic. I hadn’t been a Hunger Games fan in the first place, so I really hadn’t been interested until I read the first few chapters. Other than a similarity of kids fighting to the death, this wasn’t like the Hunger Games series at all.
Finally, the ending. What? I never said I didn’t like the ending. Just because I didn’t expect that ending doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. There were so many things that were left on a cliffhanger, and it has me anticipating the sequel. Hendry’s back?? Reid is the mastermind behind it all??? Finley’s still alive for some reason???? While I didn’t love the ending, it was great and has me wanting more of Ilvernath and the Blood Veil.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Amanda Foody hasn’t disappointed me, and this is the first novel of Christine Lynn Herman’s that I’ve read. I am excited for the sequel, and I will definitely be reading more of these author’s books!
For me, All of Us Villains has its pros and cons. More pros than cons, for me, but I do feel like I should mention the cons first.
What I Didn’t Like:
Firstly, the world building. My ARC of All of Us Villains didn’t include a map, so it was hard to imagine Ilvernath in the first place. I’m also still confused on where the Blood Veil took place. At first I thought it was on the outskirts of the town, but then Gavin was able to get back into the town even though the Blood Veil should keep them out? I was kinda confused about how he was able to do that.
Second, the magic system. I get the spellstones, and the difference between the classes of them, but I still don’t understand it completely. How do you cast them? Do you throw it, crush it? That was confusing, because all of the sentences about them would be like “Alistair used a Flicker and Flare” okay but how??
Finally, the ending. The ending of All of Us Villains didn’t fit the pace of the rest of the book. It felt very rushed, and the POVs were changing so quick between each other. Also, I would’ve thought that the Blood Veil would’ve been over by the end of the book, and the second book would’ve been about the main characters dealing with the aftermath.
What I Did Like:
First, the characters. The main characters was what kept me reading through the book. I loved Briony from the start, but then I really started liking Isobel after Briony did… that to her sister, then back to Briony by the end. Briony and Isobel are my faves, but Alistair and Gavin are great too. They just had to grow on me (especially Gavin, because I didn’t like him at all until the end).
Second, the plot. At first glance, I genuinely thought that this might be a Hunger Games ripoff with magic. I hadn’t been a Hunger Games fan in the first place, so I really hadn’t been interested until I read the first few chapters. Other than a similarity of kids fighting to the death, this wasn’t like the Hunger Games series at all.
Finally, the ending. What? I never said I didn’t like the ending. Just because I didn’t expect that ending doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. There were so many things that were left on a cliffhanger, and it has me anticipating the sequel. Hendry’s back?? Reid is the mastermind behind it all??? Finley’s still alive for some reason???? While I didn’t love the ending, it was great and has me wanting more of Ilvernath and the Blood Veil.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Amanda Foody hasn’t disappointed me, and this is the first novel of Christine Lynn Herman’s that I’ve read. I am excited for the sequel, and I will definitely be reading more of these author’s books!
4 out of 5 stars.
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman will be available on November 9th, 2021.
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