Book Review :: All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman

All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody
ISBN: 1473233860
Series: All of Us Villains #1
on 2021-11-09
Goodreads

After the publication of a salacious tell-all book, the remote city of Ilvernath is thrust into the worldwide spotlight. Tourists, protesters, and reporters flock to its spell shops and ruins to witness an ancient curse unfold: every generation, seven families name a champion among them to compete in a tournament to the death. The winner awards their family exclusive control over the city’s high magick supply, the most powerful resource in the world.

In the past, the villainous Lowes have won nearly every tournament, and their champion is prepared to continue his family’s reign. But this year, thanks to the influence of their newfound notoriety, each of the champions has the means to win. Or better yet--a chance to rewrite their story.

But this is a story that must be penned in blood.

Last updated on 18 December 2024

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My Thoughts on All Of Us Villains

While All Of Us Villains isn’t labelled as a dystopian book, it definitely felt like I was being thrown violently back into the late 2000s, early 2010s. It was like I was in my teens again, reading The Hunger Games and Divergent. In the best way.

As the description of this book so wonderfully says, All Of Us Villains follows 7 teens, all from different magickal families, competing for the control of high magick. But after a book is published into the world, spilling all the secrets, the city of Ilvernath is thrown into the public spotlight. The 7 arrive at the start of the game with one goal in mind: to win. Whatever it takes.

My star rating gives away what I thought of this book: I really enjoyed it!

As I mentioned, it was nice to go back into a book that, while fantasy-based, felt very dystopian. I was a big fan of the dystopian era of books that we had for so long, so having a story that was similar to those was a lovely throwback.

“There’s more to every tournament than just who wins… Every champion has a reason to compete, and they deserve to win. Even if they don’t make it out alive.”

But All Of Us Villans stands out somewhat from those other dystopian novels, and I think there were several reasons why. Firstly, there was magick. Having the magickal element in the story gave it that extra boost of intrigue, drama and added layer of storytelling that we didn’t find in those other books. The magick system that Foody and Herman created was superb. The world-building and setting only added to the magick, and I found myself so fascinated by the world they created.

Secondly! We got the perspective of 4 of the 7 families in the games – Alistair, Isobel, Gaven and Briony – which meant we were getting different angles and storylines throughout. It added depth to the entire competition and games that way, which was really enjoyable.

All Of Us Villains was less bloody than I was expecting, and while there are characters who die (it’s not really a spoiler, promise – you can’t have a Hunger Games – esque story and everyone survive. You just can’t), I think I expected a little more blood and guts. Not so much a complaint as an observation.

The other thing is: it’s not a stand-alone.

Which I definitely thought it was, so please please please keep that in mind when you pick it up. The second book is All Of Our Demise.

Overall, this is a fast-paced book, which is very character-driven. The magick system is intense but so well thought out, and then games themselves were incredibly creative in the history and the way certain elements came together. Also, the mystery around who wrote the book is woven throughout and while I called who it was … it was still a very good mysterious point.

Have you read All Of Us Villains? What did you think?