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emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Dummies, every single one of us. The gifted ones most of all.”
― Olivie Blake, Gifted & Talented
Hyperintellectual meets the dysfunction drama of three ranting siblings (plus "god" and amazing side characters/ lovers?) whose magic and life have just about burned to the ground (actually literally). OB's typical use of cathartic monologues with page after page of biting humor carry this story per usual. Also the side characters develop this siblings in a profound way. The side remarks on capitalism was more of a bonus.
Simply, the Wren is a hot a** mess and I early awaited each revelation with popcorn in hand.
“I told myself that I would exist wholly in this moment, and this one, and this one, and thus over time I would simply change. I would be grounded. I would be better. I would hate myself less, or at least less often.”
― Olivie Blake, Gifted & Talented
― Olivie Blake, Gifted & Talented
Hyperintellectual meets the dysfunction drama of three ranting siblings (plus "god" and amazing side characters/ lovers?) whose magic and life have just about burned to the ground (actually literally). OB's typical use of cathartic monologues with page after page of biting humor carry this story per usual. Also the side characters develop this siblings in a profound way. The side remarks on capitalism was more of a bonus.
Simply, the Wren is a hot a** mess and I early awaited each revelation with popcorn in hand.
“I told myself that I would exist wholly in this moment, and this one, and this one, and thus over time I would simply change. I would be grounded. I would be better. I would hate myself less, or at least less often.”
― Olivie Blake, Gifted & Talented
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Pregnancy
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THIS BOOK.
Don't mistake the amount of time I spent reading this book for me hating it... I was just too attached to let go. OMG I LOVE THEM ALL. Especially Meredith. Always Meredith. My sweet baby Meredith.
Ok, onto the actual book, It was so beautiful. I don't think I can say that enough.Unlike Meredith's app chirp, The tagline of the book does not lie, at least for me. The book did make me happy. It also made me want to cry (I don't actually sob, but it almost happens. Edit: scratch that, I just started bawling into my hands while writing this.). It also made me mad, and excited, and a whole bunch of other feelings too.
Do NOT mistake this book for a Fantasy. I knowwww the description says the three Wren's are magically gifted, but their powers are BARELY if at all talked about. It's more a literary study type of book than anything, but as a avid Fantasy reader, it's a good book. It did take me out of my comfort zone, definitely, but still a good book.
As a youngest daughter, I related to Eilidh a lot (picture another stream of tears coming down my face as I write this part). The hushed whispers between your other siblings you'd never get, being the last sibling to hate your parent and the others resenting you for it, wanting so badly to be loved by ONE. ONE person. I think that was an occuring theme in this book, wanting to be loved.
I expected the twist, but that didn't make Lou's appearance any less meaningful, especially in the last chapters. And the way she talked about Monster (Arthur Jr.?) I could tell Olivie's motherhood just seeped through there. Another reason for me to sob.
The ending for a lot of characters made me cry, but especially Meredith and Lou. That last hug in the car, Meredith sobbing in Lou's arms. I will forever be a Merlou truther. God. And Arthur, my sweet Arthur. I'm so happy he found love, even if it's a little unconventional.
ALSO, LOU TELLING MEREDITH HER APP DOES WROK. THE THING SHE'S WANTED SOMEONE TO TELL HER FOR YEARS. THAT LITTLE REASSURANCE. MY SWEETHEARTS!!!
Overall, this was one of Olivie's best works and I will never forget it as long as I live. My sweet birdies </3. (Saying goodbye to this book hurts so good)
Don't mistake the amount of time I spent reading this book for me hating it... I was just too attached to let go. OMG I LOVE THEM ALL. Especially Meredith. Always Meredith. My sweet baby Meredith.
Ok, onto the actual book, It was so beautiful. I don't think I can say that enough.
Do NOT mistake this book for a Fantasy. I knowwww the description says the three Wren's are magically gifted, but their powers are BARELY if at all talked about. It's more a literary study type of book than anything, but as a avid Fantasy reader, it's a good book. It did take me out of my comfort zone, definitely, but still a good book.
As a youngest daughter, I related to Eilidh a lot (
I expected the twist, but that didn't make Lou's appearance any less meaningful, especially in the last chapters. And the way she talked about Monster (Arthur Jr.?) I could tell Olivie's motherhood just seeped through there. Another reason for me to sob.
The ending for a lot of characters made me cry, but especially Meredith and Lou. That last hug in the car, Meredith sobbing in Lou's arms. I will forever be a Merlou truther. God. And Arthur, my sweet Arthur. I'm so happy he found love, even if it's a little unconventional.
ALSO, LOU TELLING MEREDITH HER APP DOES WROK. THE THING SHE'S WANTED SOMEONE TO TELL HER FOR YEARS. THAT LITTLE REASSURANCE. MY SWEETHEARTS!!!
Overall, this was one of Olivie's best works and I will never forget it as long as I live. My sweet birdies </3. (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism
Minor: Infertility, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ll be honest, I have no clue how I feel about this book. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so indifferent about a book before. I enjoyed the character development and the overall concept of this book but there was just something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Olivie Blake does a great job writing complex characters who are fairly unlikeable yet somehow we do. I stuck with this because I really was intrigued by what was going to happen but I wasn’t fully surprised by the outcome and by the end I just felt ‘meh.’ I did enjoy the audio format but I think this might’ve been one I would’ve enjoyed more in a physical format because I would’ve been able to track the writing style a bit more clearly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All my reviews live at https://deedireads.com/reads.
I’m not much of a television watcher, so I haven’t seen Succession, but it definitely seems like this is a spin on that concept but ~with magic~. I can’t speak to whether it feels stale to those who’ve watched the show, but I had a hell of a good time.
Meredith (a tech founder), Arthur (a politician), and Eilidh (a former professional dancer) are the children of the recently deceased CEO of the world’s biggest tech+magic company. They travel back to his estate to plan the funeral and see who he trusted (or loved?) enough to leave them his shares in the company. But there are questions about the will, so while the lawyers figure it out, the three siblings turn toward their own personal crises and their relationships to one another.
Admittedly, this book starts off slow. I spent the first 25% or so wondering if I was pushing myself through yet another set of unlikeable characters in a dysfunctional family. But then I laughed for the twentieth time and the side characters were fantastic and suddenly I was deeply attached and rooting for each of them and MY HEART WAS IN IT. The plot was a little predictable, but I didn’t mind at all.
Do I think this is a “can’t miss” book? Probably not. Was it deeply entertaining? Absolutely. If you’re looking for something funny and unserious and also heartfelt, pick this up.
I’m not much of a television watcher, so I haven’t seen Succession, but it definitely seems like this is a spin on that concept but ~with magic~. I can’t speak to whether it feels stale to those who’ve watched the show, but I had a hell of a good time.
Meredith (a tech founder), Arthur (a politician), and Eilidh (a former professional dancer) are the children of the recently deceased CEO of the world’s biggest tech+magic company. They travel back to his estate to plan the funeral and see who he trusted (or loved?) enough to leave them his shares in the company. But there are questions about the will, so while the lawyers figure it out, the three siblings turn toward their own personal crises and their relationships to one another.
Admittedly, this book starts off slow. I spent the first 25% or so wondering if I was pushing myself through yet another set of unlikeable characters in a dysfunctional family. But then I laughed for the twentieth time and the side characters were fantastic and suddenly I was deeply attached and rooting for each of them and MY HEART WAS IN IT. The plot was a little predictable, but I didn’t mind at all.
Do I think this is a “can’t miss” book? Probably not. Was it deeply entertaining? Absolutely. If you’re looking for something funny and unserious and also heartfelt, pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder, Car accident
These characters feel marvellously beautifully real and I enjoyed reading about their neurotic, chaotic lives so much. The narrative voice is laugh out loud funny, snarky, opinionated. The writing style is deeply conversational, in a way that pulled me in and almost made me feel like the whole book was engaging gossip I was being told. Each character is so uniquely shaped, charming and offputting in their own ways. They're struggling with very real, relatable things (overwhelming feelings of failure, the death of a parent who treated them terribly, the leftovers of a miserable childhood, various complexes from being driven to succeed in large and spectacular ways and now being on the other side of that success) and also some of the least relatable rich people problems ever (what does it mean to have been on Forbes 30 Under 30 and be 31 now; politician who can't stop checking twitter and absorbing every criticism instead of doing his job; girl who literally has a nepo job despairing that she might not be loved enough in the end to get the ultimate nepo job: inherited CEO!).
You do at points want to hate them, but why bother? They hate themselves enough, quite frankly, for all of us. You may be tempted to feel sorry for them but as the book says:
You do at points want to hate them, but why bother? They hate themselves enough, quite frankly, for all of us. You may be tempted to feel sorry for them but as the book says:
Which you shouldn’t do. Lord knows they don’t need your sympathy. If you give a mouse a cookie … you know how that turns out. But hey, a bad dad is a bad dad.
In the end I found myself along for the ride as they fought, despaired, tried to determine how and if to grieve, and tumbled into chaos after chaos.
There's a lot here about love - familial, platonic, and romantic - and about grief. There's questions of legacy and how much we can even know our parents, in the end. There's the driving question of the book: how to keep failing when you thought you were built for nothing but successes.
There's a lot here about love - familial, platonic, and romantic - and about grief. There's questions of legacy and how much we can even know our parents, in the end. There's the driving question of the book: how to keep failing when you thought you were built for nothing but successes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Eating disorder, Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy