All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once every generation, in the city of Ilvernath, seven families must choose a champion who will represent them in a tournament where the contestants fight to the death.
The prize is an inexhaustible supply of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world. The family whose champion wins, gains control over that magick for their family until the next tournament.
Obviously, this is extremely important and puts a whole load of pressure on the contestants.
With this tournament in particular, thanks to a recently released tell-all book, the contestants are thrust into the spotlight like never before.
Will the contestants be able to use this difference to their advantage, or will it distract them to the point of death? Can anything ever change the cycle of the Tournament? Does their world have to be this way?
All of Us Villains is basically The Hunger Games if it were fought exclusively by members of Slytherin House.
Well, Slytherin and maybe one Gryffindor.
If you read this statement and you’re thinking, why would I want to read that? I’ve read those stories. I want something new. I will just stress, this is something new!
Even though it channels those vibes. Particularly, the vibe of Knockturn Alley at night in the midst of a thunderstorm, this is its own thing.
I loved how the authors formatted this, with the Reader finding out who the champion of each house would be along with the rest of the citizens of Ilvernath.
Following some of the contestants perspectives, we get to know each one of them and the challenges they face in pursuit of their goals. There’s plotting, scheming, strategizing and like a good season of Survivor, a lot of alliances.
The writing in this story is just beautiful. It’s exceptionally detailed, lush and dramatic.
I could definitely feel both Foody and Herman within these pages; the darkness, monsters, violence, despair, but also highly developed and likable characters, even in all their antihero-ness.
Honestly, these two authors working together is everything I have ever wanted. I feel like they have created something truly memorable here.
You may be wondering after all of my gushing, why I only gave this 4-stars, as opposed to 5. For me, I don’t think I ever truly understood the magic system.
I am not sure if it is because I was so distracted by the characters themselves, that perhaps I missed out on some details, but I feel like there was something missing.
With this being said, I still really enjoyed this story and would love to read it again actually. Most likely, before the next book is released, I will do so.
Basically, this book is the love child of Draco Malfoy and Katniss Everdeen. It’s amazing and feels like a dark fantasy reader’s dreams come true. Yep, that’s right.
Thank you so much to the publishers, Tor Teen and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait for more collaborative efforts from these authors!!!
