A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann

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Read: March 22, 2026 - March 31, 2026

Oh. My. Actual. Goodness.

I know this book only just came out, but I LOVED IT. It was one of those books I just randomly saw at the bookstore, thought it looked cool, and started reading it, having known NOTHING about it. It was like a breath of fresh air because I wasn't expecting to love it so much. I have been thinking about it, and I can't even really pinpoint why I loved it so much. It was just so fun, whimsical, and I felt so connected to the characters, which is odd for me because it's a stand-alone.

The fact that Riven and Jude are so emotionally connected and in tune with each other was something I found to be so beautiful. Because in the beginning, we think they are polar opposites: a girl who was cursed by a player who is constantly ill, and a lead player who is extremely powerful and adored. Riven's character was incredible because she was so complex, even if she annoyed me at times. I found that sometimes I was taking Jude's side even though I probably shouldn't be.

I found the whole concept to be so mesmerizing because of the players and their power. I think the fact that they basically had a mere mortal who was able to control them with THE SCRIPT (which should've told us everything we needed to know lol) was interesting because they're supposed to be these whimsical, magical, dangerous immortals that the unmarked are obsessed with.

But holy moly, I did not anticipate that plot twist of the players just being characters. The fact that the characters could just DIE and the players continue for eternity... that Riven and Jude were just characters performing a play that was written SO SO SO long ago, and they didn't know it. Well, I guess Jude knew because his skin was peeling, but I did NOT see any of that coming if I'm being completely honest. The fact that everything she thought was true about her life was completely fake and just made up. I would go insane.

I love that they all came back after defeating Sil and The Playhouse, and kept their characters' last names. I think that was incredible because it just shows so much about them and what they prefer compared to them just always doing what they were told by both the script and Sil. I loved so many parts of this book, it's insane.

I LOVE THAT JUDE AND RIVEN FOUND EACH OTHER AGAIN. THANK GOD. I was going to be really mad if, after all of that, he was gone forever.

5 stars.