Kacen Callender's "We Are Villains" is a gripping young adult dark academia mystery centered on Milo, who believes his best friend Arianna's death was no accident. Returning to the elite Yates Academy, Milo's investigation intertwines with Liam, the school's powerful and dangerous leader, who is being blackmailed over Arianna's murder. As Milo and Liam reluctantly work together, a web of secrets, lies, and threats of violence unravels, putting Milo in constant danger. This book is ideal for readers aged 12-18 who enjoy complex plots, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes suspense. Parents should be aware of themes of murder, blackmail, and peril.
From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a thrilling, dark academia YA about murder, blackmail, and the one person determined to discover the truth, no matter the cost What happened to Arianna Reynolds? Ari's death was ruled an accident, but for her best friend Milo, it's shrouded in mystery. Why was she in the woods on the night of the fire? Had she been alone? Figuring out what happened the night Ari died is the only reason Milo returns to Yates Academy, even knowing he'll be in constant danger. . . Liam is the King of Yates, a role he keeps hold of through his family's old money--and the threat of violence. So when he begins receiving ominous letters from another student accusing him of murdering Ari, the suspect list is long. Desperate to prove his innocence before the accusation ruins his reign, Liam enlists Milo's help to find the blackmailer. But the more Milo helps Liam, the more he becomes certain that Liam has something to hide. As Milo comes closer to the truth, he uncovers secrets that everyone wants to keep buried . . .