I was so excited to read this book. It storyline about villains fighting each other in a magical tournament, sounding right up my alley. However, I found the writing a struggle to get through. As much as I love the concept, I felt it was missing something. Some elements hit the right spot. Other than that, it fell a bit flat. I want to read the next book to see what happens, but I don't have really high expectations, which is a shame as this book has so much potential.

I’m not usually a fan when books are compared to other titles: I often find it’s either misleading or undermines the new book, which is ultimately better.

However, there’s no way you couldn’t compare All of Us Villains to the Hunger Games. The premise of 7 champions fighting to the death with only one winner is almost the exact same premise. The main difference is that the champions in this case usually are glad to be chosen and want to bring glory to their family. That, and the ability to control ‘high’ magic for the next 20 years.

All of Us Villains had a strong start. The characters were all well-rounded in their own rights. From Alistair, the known ‘villain’ with his insecurities, to Gavin, the boy who is supposed to lose and will do anything to survive, even make deals he really shouldn’t be making.
The beginning was strong. As we build up to the contest, we get to know several of the characters. All have their own reasons for wanting to do this, and none are the reasons they put on as a front.

Relationships are made clear, the characters strength and weaknesses all laid out, and the dialogue flows well. While the character base is large, the book works well. There’s good dynamics between the characters and the way they interact with the world, and tension is build as they start to call each other out.

Once the games begin, the book lost some of its spark. I’m not sure if it’s due to a much smaller group of characters being focused on; perhaps not helped by the way they are split up and divided into smaller groups as alliances are formed. But it became much darker. I found myself disappointed – I’d really enjoyed the beginning.

Alliances shift, sometimes to a point where I wasn’t sure entirely what was going on. Isabel and Alistair have a growing dynamic and attraction, until they are suddenly against each other and I’m still not 100% why what causes it. Yes, an accident happens, but the reaction seemed a little untethered to previous emotions.

I enjoyed this book. Despite the similarities to the Hunger Games, it didn’t feel the author was trying to recreate it. The first 2/3s was strong, with likeable characters. It would’ve been impossible to say who you wanted to win. You conveniently don’t get to know the couple of characters that don’t make it through.

The final part was still a good read, but lacked something compared to the beginning. It’s hard to put my finger on why. But despite tensions rising and the danger increasing in a way no one saw coming, I wasn’t as invested in the final part as I had been at the start.

This series is so strong, and I utterly adored it. The world and set up was EXACTLY what I hoped for. Foody and Herman knocked it out the park.

I want to go and reread the series now, even if my TBR will hunt me down and kill me...

4.5 stars.

What do you get when two fantastic sci fi authors join together? An original duology with a unique storyline and some very interesting characters. Foody and Herman are both well known for their sci fi and YA stories and characters. They have combined talents to share the story of a competition that makes Hunger Games look like a fairy tale for babies. The tournament takes place every 7 years. The winner will control magick like never seen outside the game. I expected a great story and got so much more. This is the first book in a planned duology and all I can say is, hurry.

I struggled with this book. Until 40% in I almost tossed it on the DNF pile, but I stuck with it and I'm so glad I did.

There's a lot of world building in the start that is told from the points of the main champions. The changing pov and the heavy world building make the beginning a heavy slog.

Stick with it. Stick with the characters and it is worth it all. Sure there's a cliff hanger, but it offers some resolutions for certain characters. And big reveals for others.

As much as I struggled I'm already to dive into the next book.

Grab this for a weekend read because it's certainly binge worthy.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

I really enjoyed All of Us Villains. I am a big fan of villain stories and had *some* hope of real villain-storylines. This element was unfortunately disappointed yet again (as seems to be the case with YA villain books). It usually is a constructed cliché "I am a villain" kid that does not truly seem to be that morally grey, just happens to carry a label - more like a goth or emo kid that wants to look scary but is a good hearted person beneath the appearance. What the book ends up being is kind of like Hunger Games, but with magic. And while I was missing the "promised" villain aspect - this really was fun!

I do think there are quite a few issues - this book never really explores any issues or transports a true message (which I would expect from this type of book) - instead it simply is about privileged white kids fighting to the death to bring power to their family. So if you are looking for a message or meaning or anything deeper - this book will not deliver. Instead it simply was a fun story full of privilege, pale characters that all look the same, fighting, and an interesting magic system that was new to me.

I received a review copy from NetGalley - all opinions are my own.

I unfortunately could not get into this book. But this might be for another type of reader, and wish the best for the writers.

Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
I really wanted to love this, but unfortunately I just couldn't...

Cover
I am a big fan of the cover. And after finishing the book I realise that the cracks fit the storyline perfectly. We love some good easter eggs on the book cover!

Writing style
Now here is the first problem I had: The writing style. I think it just wasn't for me, and to be honest that breaks my heart a little, but I guess not every writing style can be the one for you. I had especially a problem with the different point of views.

Setting/Plot/Characters
The idea of the book sounds great. And I loved some parts of it. Some others on the other hand I just couldn't get myself into. I am a big Hunger Games fan, so obviously I was intrigued when I read this was like the hunger games but with magic, and seriously? I can see it! And I loved that. Nevertheless I had some problem connecting with most characters. I know, considering that they are supposed to be villains they are not really meant to be liked, but I just couldn't grasp them most of the time.
Above that, I kinda dragged myself through half of the book, then suddenly I started being really into it, so I was glad I hadn't given up. Nevertheless I was constantly changing between "totally into it" and "not my thing", which makes it hard to evaluate the book. I also didn't like some of the "plot twists" at the end of the book.

Conclusion
I will probably still read the second book at some point, especially after that ending. But it is not on my "OMG I need to read this next" list. The end definitely got me intrigued to continue and I do want to know who ends up winning and what happens to all the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the Review copy. I apologise for taking so long to read and review it.

Where do I start this review. As I absolutely loved this book. The fact that it was multiple points of view it allowed you to see the story from different view points. It also made the story interesting as with each point of view has there own reasoning and separate plot points also that goes along with the main plot points. The way that it was written was very well, especially with the pacing of the story was very well constructed. With the way that the characters developed throughout the book was very clever and interesting and the reasoning behind what they need to do was affected by this. With how the book ended I am very excited and intrigued to continue with this series to find out what's going to happen next.

I really loved the writing style of the book but other than that the novel was quite lackluster. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and forced myself to finish this novel.

I think the main misconception was the marketing as 'the hunger games' because it is very different from the hunger games especially in terms of themes. And I felt very cheated while reading the novel and expecting something similar.

Overall, 2.5 stars, will recommend to people who have a taste for high stakes and fast paced novels.

The city of Ilvernath has a dark secret, one that has now been revealed to the outside world - every generation, seven families must compete in a tournament where the last competitor standing wins their family access to the highly sought after high magick. It is a fight to the death, one that some of the competitors are reluctant to take part in, but others dream of glory and bringing honour to their families.
However, this year is different, because what if the tournament doesn't have to be won? What if the curse on Ilvernath can be broken? The competitors just need to stay alive long enough to try . . .

Going into this book, I was intrigued to see where it would go, and I ended up enjoying it.
There were several protagonists, with chapters focusing on them, and I found the ones about Alistair and Isobel the most interesting. I liked that the characters were morally grey and didn't always do what I expected.
I liked the concepts of the spellrings, spellboards and the different magick.
The book took a little while to get going, but once it did, I liked what I was reading. While I wasn't gripped, I did want to keep reading, although I did start to flag towards the end.
The writing style was easy to follow.
I'm unsure if I will read the next book as the ending didn't leave me wanting more.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

A captivating one-sitting read that follows four characters who fight to death in a tournament that decides whose family can then control the magic. Amidst the high stakes of this dangerous world, the characters come alive through their own individual journeys as they compete to win glory. Both dark and exciting, the tournament demands spells, skills, and strategies —creating a tale that is understandably detailed and incredibly intriguing. The emotional tension erupts through the families who are adamant about the win and absolutely unconcerned about the children selected from their families to fight with their name. The title suits the dark clouds floating above this story and the sudden ending makes one desperate for the sequel.

*3.5 stars*

This was fun in a lethal way.

As a Hunger Games fan, I was intrigued by the premise of this story. Every generation a blood moon rises and seven great families are bound to send one of their own, a champion, to a tournament in order to accomplish one task, and one task only: to kill every other champion. The family of the last champion standing wins the prize: absolute control over what remains of the world's High Magick. The story is set in Ilvernath, a place on the border of the real world, but not quite belonging to its rules. The real world, however, started to pay attention to what's going on in Ilvernath because of a published tell-all book that spills the beans of the horrors of the tournament. Only that this particular tournament is nothing like the ones preceding it.

Reminiscences:
- The good old house/district/faction/family routine ;)
- Enemies to lovers and lovers to enemies C'mon, there's blood at stake ;)
- Pacy writing ;)
- Casting spells and deciphering curses. My favourite.

Weaknesses:
- Of the seven champions, the story is told from the PoV of four of them, which leads us to the logical conclusion of which three will be disposed of first. The main four characters, and in a way their families, are introduced properly building up to the beginning of the tournament. And I can only wonder as to why the three other "great families" weren't as important.
- Colorless characters. The authors chose to swim around the rock of ethnicities despite having a lot of room made by the multiple main players for diverse characters. Some potential was wasted here.
- A rising fear in me that this might turn sappy in the next installment because the "Villains" aren't that villainy after all despite the fact that they are all morally gray.

But I liked it quite a lot and I'm eager to see how the tournament will proceed after many of its rules got bent. Apparently, I'll have to suffer the pain of waiting.

Many thanks to Orion Publishing Group, Gollancz and NetGalley for this eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author of a copy of this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I went in thinking that I was going to be reading a dark magical version of the Hunger Games (of which I have only watched the movies not read the books) but to be honest I felt the HG was darker overall. With villains in the title I think I had high expectations that there would be some wickedness in the story but it fell just a bit short on that.
The story was good and the characters initially were very interesting but for me it was like they never grew to their full potential. The unique magic system and bloody tournament with a high stake outcome made me want to continue until the end. The tenacity of Briony was awesome and I found it hard at times continue liking her because she was also the most annoying.
The last part of the book is where I really started enjoying it but in saying that I don’t think I will be looking at getting the next book because I just don’t care enough about what happens next if I totally honest.

"Do not judge the champions too harshly. Survival could make villains of any of us."

ALL OF US VILLAINS is pretty much a magical hunger games, where families compete for control over the higher magic. It's atmospheric with a fairly decent amount of world-building, and a distinct set of characters. My only complaint is that it felt rather tame, and although the stakes felt high at first, I soon realised nobody was perhaps as bloodthirsty as I originally thought. I enjoyed it though and I would recommend for fans of magical quests in an urban settings.

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and held my attention. I will be reading more from this author :)

Seven families must all choose their champions to fight to win control of a mysterious and dark magic until the next battle…

Marketed as a dark young adult story with magic and betrayal at its heart, I found myself still wanting with this book.

Betrayal? Check
Devious Characters? Check
Magic? Check

So where did it let me down? I believe the story could have been faster paced and the world building could have been tidied up. I also believe the characters who were the betrayers were a bit too easy to expect ahead of time, so the suspense and surprise were lost on me. I do realise that this may be an unpopular opinion as All of Us Villians does have many great reviews out there, and it may end up appealing to you, personally.

All in all, the book has all the ingredients, but the final result just didn’t hit home for me.

Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for granting me a free copy of All of Us Villians in exchange for my impartial review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this addictive book! The world-building and storytelling are fantastic... One of those books that totally absorbs and grips you to make sure you put everything aside and focus on it from the beginning to the end.

First of all, don't be disappointed if you find that...'No one here is a hero...', but, by extension, no one is a villain. Although the book is essentially about the power of stories, legends and patterns, it is also about how we make choices, good and bad, cruel and well-intentioned and live with their consequences. All of the protagonists go through self-discovery and development in deliciously unpredictable ways.

The protagonists are seven teenagers thrown into a death tournament by their families bound by a powerful ancient curse. Every twenty years seven families must choose a champion to fight in the tournament until only one is left to bring the glory to their family and power to weild rare high magick which has almost disappeared from this world. The tournament used to be Ilvernath's best-kept shameful secret until a book called A Tradition of Tragedy (allegedly written by someone from one of the seven families) came out and exposed the history of this merciless practice.

There are seven champions (Grieve, Payne, Macaslan, Thorburn, Blaire, Lowe, Darrow) and four main points of view:
-Gavin Grieve, from the least respected, least powerful family- watch out for this one as he is desperate to fight for his dignity;
-Isobel Macaslan- another champion from an underdog family who collects their raw magick in less than savoury ways- her father calls her a princess, but she herself knows she is a survivor... once she really commits to participating in this brutal ordeal;
-Briony Thorburn (Isobel's ex-BFF and a self-proclaimed hero)- she is fast and strong, both physically and mentally, and no wonder- all her life she has been preparing for this tournament, but does she have enough self-awareness to see the impact of her actions?
-and last but not least- The Villain- Alistair Lowe- his family has won the most tournaments and all his life he's been told he doesn't have to be afraid of monsters because he is one of them. His family has their despicable secret to ensure a Lowe is more often than not the last one standing.
I loved the way the perspectives changed as the story raced forward. The length of the chapters was perfect and, to be honest, I didn't have a favourite, although you might choose who out of all of these morally gray, flawed characters you want to root for.

It is difficult to avoid tcomparison with Hunger Games- well, impossible really, since it was marketed as Hunger Games with blood, gore, and magic. But once you start reading the book, you quickly notice the differences- the tone is different (HG is all about social justice, AOUV is about the power of stories), there are fewer characters and they have been taught and trained all their life to devise strategies, make and cast curses and spells in order to survive and claim the victory fro their family- they are not tragically random tributes. There are alliances, but no romance (sorry, not really- at least not in book 1).

Like many other readers I went into the book thinking it's a standalone and realised towards the 80% mark, it can't be- there's still too much of a story to explore. Can't wait to find out who survives this wild, wild ride!