This book was exactly like the jacket describes, Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in my opinion. You won’t see the ending coming!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for granting me an ARC of this novel!

Wow. It's hard to put into words everything I felt after finishing this novel. While a take on The Hunger Games , All Of Us Villains didn't feel derivative in any way, instead putting its own unique spin on the trope. While there was a lot I liked about the novel, there were also some things I took issue with:

The Good
- The set up. The exposition was fantastic and provided a solid foundation for the rest of the novel. Despite a complex history and magic system, the ease with which the authors guide us into the world they've crafted is impressive. I definitely appreciated getting such a thorough introduction into Ilvernath, and the framing provided by A Tradition of Tragedy was very creative as well.
- The characters and their families. The shifting perspectives really helped me get into the mindset of each character and understand their motivations and the stakes of the tournament for both themselves and their families. This was especially helpful once allegiances and motivations began changing.

The Bad
- The pacing, and especially the ending. Over a third of the book is exposition on the tournament. Once it begins, the story speeds up and slows down, with intense events occurring in rapid succession or with hours/days passing by without event. The ending I was especially disappointed with--I genuinely had to check to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a chapter or epilogue.
- The magic system in the context of the tournament. While the authors make evident that the nature of the magic that foregrounds the tournament is being disturbed by the events of the novel, it's still hard to figure out just how distorted it's become. There's not really something to compare it to besides asides mentioning that a certain event hadn't happened in previous tournaments.

While some aspects of the novel bothered me, however, it was an incredibly compelling read. I was so invested in the events and characters, I read half the book over a plane ride because I simply couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

A dark and twisty tale. As a villain lover this book fed me so well. The characters were strong and easy to root for.

Publication Date: November 9, 2021

Every generation, seven families choose a victor to compete in a tournament to the death. The champion supplies their family with exclusive control over high magik until the next tournament. The Lowes family wins almost every tournament and has had almost exclusive control over high magik. After the publishing of a tell-all book alerting those outside of the seven families of the tournament and the prize, the rest of the participants see their chances greatly improve and for the Lowes family the stakes have never been higher.

I’ll admit, I’ve never read anything by Christine but I am such a fan of Amanda’s Shadow Game series. It was a little jarring to open the first page and not see Levi, Emmy or the gang. Once I accepted the Shadow Game was over I started to realize the things I love about Amanda’s writing were still present.

The book consists of a cast of morally grey characters, where if the story had not been told from their perspective you would believe them to be downright despicable people but given the circumstances and the people around them you kind of forgive them for it. The book alternates between four tournament participant’s perspectives fairly equally.

The inclusion of four POVs kind of made it obvious during the actual tournament who was definitely going to be a victim of the tournament. I think the plot towards the end kind of suffered because of this. It was unlikely the authors would kill off a character this early in a series whose perspective we were being offered regularly.

I preferred the first half of the story, when the characters were preparing to enter the tournament. The book gets a lot of comparisons to the Hunger Games so it was almost as if you were reading the ‘Career Tributes’ perspectives prior to the beginning of the games. It was during this part of the book you really explored each character’s motivations, values and their preparations for the games themselves. It was really interesting because you couldn’t really predict them.

This book does end on a rather unsatisfying cliffhanger so I will be picking up book two to satisfy my curiosity.

Thank you #NetGalley and #TorTeen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

R rated Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games, but it's able to stand on it's own.

Other than the ending, which leaves a bunch to be desired, I really enjoyed the book. It's bloody, action-packed, and features such a fun and vibrant word.

My eighth graders would eat this up if I put a copy in my classroom library. This novel moves along at a good pace, yet we learn a lot of the characters' motivations and back stories. The title is appropriate in that every person has a dark side especially when circumstances push you to the edge. I think the Hunger Games comparison doesn't do this story justice. Yes, the characters are competing in a life or death, winner take all contest, but the magical history of this contest makes it more interesting. I was not expecting the story to end with a cliffhanger but it seems impossible to get away from trilogies these days. I will definitely finish this series, however. I am invested in these characters' stories.

Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman have done it again! I have always loved books by these authors and when I received the ARC via Netgalley, I was both shocked and super excited! I could not wait to get my hands on this title and for good reason. This book was the perfect segway back into fantasy/dystopian and I loved the dynamic of it all! I sincerely hope this author duo puts out another book soon!

Reading this book is like sinking in quicksand; it pulled me in slowly and engrossed me so thoroughly I didn’t realize I was close to the end until it arrived! The story is a masterfully woven tale of champions and monsters, both of which discover that perhaps that’s not all they are, and that who they were raised to be is not who they have to become. It’s about questioning everything: people, long-held histories, family legacies, and how many ways there are to be “good”. Reading this book reminded me of what the Hunger Games must have felt like from the District 1 and 2 tributes’ perspectives. You’ll keep turning and turning and every time you feel like you know what’s about to happen, you’re wrong! In the best way. The characters are incredibly human, making mistakes and dealing with the consequences of their actions, overcoming bad history with others for a greater good, and digging deep for the courage to flip the script their ancestors followed for centuries. For a captivating world that sucks you in until you can’t think of anything else, read All of Us Villains!

I really enjoyed this dark but fun tale. I was not expecting it to end where it did, and now I am desperate to know what happens next!

I found the characters interesting with their own reasons for wanting or not wanting to be the champion for their family fascinating. Some are proud to represent their family in murder to control the magic of their town, whilst others just want to live a normal life and let the job fall to someone else. Not everyone is black or white, good or evil. They're complex and switch sides and loyalties throughout, which makes for interesting reading.

It's a very character driven book. There is some world building, but it's very much secondary to the characters, I feel.

A very solid book and I'm really looking forward to the next one.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc version of this book!

Ooh, I loved the premise of this book (7 competitors, fighting to the death) and the drama communicated by both the cover (and coloring -- violent shades of red and black), and the first few lines. I will say, there were ALMOST too many points of view for my taste, but each has such a distinct voice and perspective, and it makes the somewhat stilted start worth it. The idea of being able to wear spells like jewelry, and use them at will, was also an interesting concept (some are simple, “the Helping Hand spell”, while others more complex, “the Silvertongue”). There is still skill involved, but the spread of power is wider, and at times, darker.

“All he could feel was the beat of his heart, and all he could see was the dark, swirling form of the hourglass, of those grains of sand tumbling, one by one, warning him that he had done something that could not be reversed. ”

As a teacher, I would recommend this book to readers who love a good adventure, and don’t mind feeling conflicted towards their favorite characters (this is not like Divergent or The Hunger Games wherein our protagonists are portrayed as being on the “good side”). This is also the start of a series, so students need to know this going in, but I definitely think it is an engaging read.

I absolutely loved this book and I will probably be purchasing my own copy once it is released. I really cannot wait for a second one.

I fell in love with all of the characters and I cheered for them and my heart broke with them as they worked their way through the plot. It's hard to say much more without giving too much away, but suffice to say, this book was fantastic! I hate where it ended, but only because I need more!

Yes! Hell yeah! Million times yes for GOT style bloodier version of Hunger Games meets Maze Runner with merciless violence and darkness with Tarantino meets V. E. Schwab vibes and let’s put a little Inheritance Games resemblances into the equation...voila! This book is too delicious and too terrifying to absorb in one bite or consume in one sit!

World building centered on power of MagicK is amazing! Seven families send one of their selected member to a suicide mission: a vicious blood sucking competition for fighting to the death every twenty years. The victor would award their family exclusive claim over Ilvernarth’s high magick, a claim that expired upon the beginning of next cycle, when the tournament began anew. Historically Lowe family dominated: for every three tournaments, they won two.

Alistair is the one who will represent the Lowe family, who is one of the narrators of the story, a true cold blooded, calculated villain who already got fooled by his rival Isobel at the bar before the entire madness had a start!

Isobel,Gavin and Briony are other voices telling their own complex, bleak, blood thirsty adventures. Their different family histories, quiet opposite approaches to the competition, their motives, the pressure they carry to learn the best hunter for not being a miserable victim were attention worthy, picking your entire interest!

The character driven story telling and so many jaw dropping twists, too many OMG, WTH moments and screams later you find yourself nailed to your couch! No freaking way! You cannot put it down!

Overall: exciting, wild, gory, head spinning, entertaining and highly disturbing but also recommended novel for the genre fans!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan- Tor/ Forge for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I was a little hesitant at first reading this. The idea seemed really interesting but it felt a little slow getting to the actual tournament. I was also a little worried about how the whole magic battle was going to work. Whenever a book is compared to the Hunger Games I also feel its setting it up to fail really, and I couldn't see how the whole battle to the death would work when no one was actually touching. However, I have to say my fears were unfounded and the story was nothing like the Hunger Games, which is a good thing.

SO first off the characters. I really like them. The chapters are told from the different perspectives of the main characters or "champions" of the battle. These champions quickly evolve. Initially I didn't really know who I was supposed to be rooting for but as they develop i found myself rooting for all of them (well the main ones anyway). Alistair was officially my favourite and I really liked the development between him and Isobel. I also found myself rooting for Gavin a little and although Briony is kind of annoying, I still wanted her to succeed. The characters are not simple. There are times when they turn and you feel a bit bad for supporting them. I liked these twists as it felt real and complex.

Now the plot. Its different. Its quite complex and there is a lot going on. I think this is why the beginning felt a little slow but I see it was necessary. At first I didn't get the whole book thing but as things developed I found I enjoyed reading the little exert at the start of each chapter. I thought they were like precursors (no pun intended) of what was coming. I also liked the way the battle ground was set up, again it becomes clearer as the story develops. The idea of the book is simple - break the curse but towards the end several other elements are thrown in, such as ancient magic, revenge and the afterlife. I have to say im not a fan of Hendry and I dont really get the whole ghost thing but seeing as t ended where it did, I'm guessing this will be explained in book 2. Because yes, this ends literally mid battle. I was reading it and thinking no way are they going to get through the battle in these last few pages, and then sure enough, the book ended. There are cliff hangers and there are cliff hangers! Am i happy it ended there/ Well if book 2 was available straight away then no, id be fine, I'd just go buy book two, but if i have to wait 6 months I may well go mad.

Oh and I should mention Reid! What is with this guy? I wasn't shocked to find out what I found out but I dont get why. Is he a jaded relative? Is he a champion from long ago using some kind f anti aging spell? Is he the designer? What is this guys problem????? Also he wears too much eyeliner and seems like a cliche.

So should you read this book. YES. Will you be peeved when it ends and you have to wait to see what happens. YES. What more can I say, except I hope the authors are busy writing the next instalment.

This is all your YA dystopian dreams come true! All the magic, action and twists of turns from such genre classics come together to create an enthralling new adventure.

3,5 stars.

This book was genuinely interesting. I believe that its strongest asset was the magic (or rather, magick) system, so it’s not a coincidence that it is what the plot revolves around. The authors took their time setting up the world and introducing us to the characters, which in my opinion is what makes this novel work. It’s evident that they developed this world, its rules, and its people with care, paying attention to all details.

We follow four different voices — Alistair, Isobel, Gavin, Briony — each with their own POV chapters, which allows us to learn more about them as individuals as well as their family history, something extremely important in the context of this story. As a character-driven reader, it was fantastic to witness how, despite all of them having been brought up to compete in this tournament, they all had different approaches to it (some willing to do anything to win, and others wholly resenting it).

The story is full of twist and turns that had me at the end of my seat — at one point a plot twist shocked me so much that for more than two days I had to wait and process it before I could pick the book back up. However, my only gripe was that the pacing felt somewhat inconsistent. After having spent almost half the book setting up the scene, when the action finally happens, it does so extremely fast and rather confusedly. It is also worth saying that the writing is quite accessible — almost plain at times, but that’s obviously up to personal preference. Despite that, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of it much, but it is something to keep in mind.

All in all, All of Us Villains was highly entertaining and a solid first installment to the series. It does a fantastic job of acquainting the reader with this world and providing insight for each of the main characters, that, hopefully, we’ll get to explore even further in the next volume.

Holy Thor! This is exactly what I needed and didn't realise.
If you take Hunger Games, mix in the Addams family and allow Quentin Tarantino to direct it, you get All of us Villains.
A truly bloodthirsty novel about seven families who compete every twenty years to hold the last remaining traces of High Magick.
These seven aristocratic families, straight from the pages of the Dark Lord himself, send their Champion into a ten-week tournament of death where only one will remain to collect the High Magick. These children may have been primed from birth to accept their fate but they are little prepared for the reality of outright murder.
With charismatic and oddly sympathetic characters who falter and grow before your eyes and a puzzle straight from The Inheritance Games, this book will keep you guessing all the way until the end...
And beyond as It has a flipping cliffhanger!

If you get a chance to read this I can't recommend it enough!

With thanks to Netgalley for a ecopy.

All of Us Villains is everything I ever wanted out of The Hunger Games, but it’s more ruthless, monstrous, and most importantly - there’s magic.

I loved the choice of different perspectives. Getting into the mindset of each of these teens, learning their backstory, and gaining more information about them than just what others claim. Everyone has their own story, and it’s very different from all the lore and faces that they show the world.

My only criticism would be the pacing. I often didn’t feel much urgency, even when events were life and death or extremely vital to the plot. And while the ending was enjoyable, it felt unsatisfying with so many loose ends - nothing was truly tied up.

I’d highly recommend adding this one to your TBR and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

All of us Villains originally interested me because the description referenced The Hunger Games which has always been a favorite series of mine. This book takes place in an alternate universe where common magic is spread throughout the land, however, high magic still exists and is competed for by the top magical families every 20 years. Throughout the book, you will see through the perspective of those chosen to compete in the tournament in which only one can prevail. Alliances will be forged, unexpected romances will begin, friendships will be changed forever and dark family secrets will come to light. If you enjoy being on the edge of your seat and not being able to put a book down before you find out what happens next, you will love this thrilling tale.

I really enjoyed this. It was a lot of fun and kept me engaged. The magic system was interesting and I enjoyed that aspect. I loved the characters except for Gavin. His POV was pointless boring and I wanted to skip him, he dragged the story down with no point. I do think this book could have been. A standalone rather then a duopoly. I found it did drag at points and the pacing needed to be a lot faster in the beginning. I will recommend this to my patrons and can’t wait to see how it ends.

multiple pov fantasy is like the boss level of YA books and when you compare said book to the hunger games the bar is literally on the moon, so i feel like i went into this expecting much more than what i got. only one or two POVS were fully developed, and the book itself is quite slow in the beginning. for a book marketed as a “death tournament between seven villains” there was a lot of talking and alliances and falling in love and not much death tournament until about 70% in.