You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Following the death of tech magnate Thayer Wren, his three gifted but deeply flawed children spiral into a battle not just for inheritance, but for identity, validation, and love. We have exploration of sibling rivalry, power, the definition of love, and the emotional wreckage of unrealized potential.
I loved these characters. I hated these characters. And I saw pieces of myself in every single one of them. Olivie Blake does not disappoint—this book is messy, funny and the storytelling is perfection.
I loved these characters. I hated these characters. And I saw pieces of myself in every single one of them. Olivie Blake does not disappoint—this book is messy, funny and the storytelling is perfection.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
It didn't have to be flawless; it didn't have to be perfect; the audience would always leave, she would always remain. What was still there when the lights went out?
When I first picked up this book, I thought I knew what I was getting into. As someone who went from being a "gifted and talented" kid to a burnt-out adult, the summary on the dust jacket made me think, "Damn, this is going to hit home, isn't it?" And it did, just not in the way I expected. Instead, I found it surprisingly reassuring.
About 60% into the story, it clicked: the premise I'd read wasn't truly the main point. This book, rather, is an incredibly thorough character study. So much so that I often felt like I was watching a slice-of-life romantic comedy (with a heavy dose of comedic elements) or, uncannily, looking directly into a mirror.
At 27 years old, I found myself relating to all three siblings in various ways. However, it was Meredith who resonated with me the most, even though I initially didn't like her characterization. Then it hit me – that was precisely the point. I couldn't like her because I saw myself in her, like someone who flew too close to the sun despite battling massive imposter syndrome.
This story wasn't an easy read, but not because of its content. It was due to the unique writing style, which is by no means a critique of Olivie Blake's work—I'm quite familiar with her writing, actually. If anything, I was wholly impressed. The chaotic narration, which I initially thought belonged to some omnipotent god (until it didn't), was so masterfully done that every theory I concocted ended up being wrong. It was, for lack of a better word, unique.
I could go on a tangent about this book, but I'll spare you. What an experience! This isn't the kind of book I would sit down to read again and again, but it definitely could be one I'd reference or look at more than once.
a weird, idiosyncratic novel full of weird, idiosyncratic characters. everyone in this book is so messy, and it takes some time to get into, but ultimately a pretty enjoyable read.
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this book, and it's not that I didn't like it at all...I just didn't get pulled into the world in the way I thought I would. I expected a bit more science-fiction and magic and for me, it felt like a lot of that was overshadowed by toxic family drama. If you are wanting a soap-opera-esque play by play of a powerful father's funeral and the crazy family hi jinks that occur in the days after, you may enjoy this more than if you go into it thinking there will be a bunch about magic and technology. It almost feels like an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" where you can't really get behind any of the characters themselves, but the story says something bigger about life in general and shows you how not to live. Definitely a toxic family in this one. I really enjoyed some of the witty moments and the parts of the book that made me laugh or shocked me as well as the art included and moments where the story was told in a new way (transcripts/dialogue/etc.). I just wish there had been more of those. For a very long book, it wasn't one that I raced to pick up to read every night. Definitely not a bad book in any way, just not one that had the unputdownable quality for me. Glad I read it and I did enjoy parts of it, but it took me almost an entire month to get through. It almost felt like for me, the "book will make you happy" fell a bit flat like the tech in the story, and that was possibly on purpose, but I'm not certain. An interesting read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
I'll admit that for a moment at the beginning, I thought this book might not be for me. This changed though. This book offers so much. I find that it explores the characters much more than I expected as this is very much positioned as a fantasy book. I can get on board with that branding, but it also doesn't fit completely. That's why I would recommend this not just to fantasy readers, but also to readers who enjoy explorations of family dynamics and how people become who they are.
The characters in this book are not always likeable and they make bad choices, but that is really the point of the novel. We slowly explore how these characters got where they are, without necessarily making the reader sympathise or agree with the choices they make.
Lastly, I would like to comment on the narrative style. It seems a bit chaotic at the start, and I was not sure I like the breaking of the fourth wall. But actually, it turned out to be a great way to tell this story.
The characters in this book are not always likeable and they make bad choices, but that is really the point of the novel. We slowly explore how these characters got where they are, without necessarily making the reader sympathise or agree with the choices they make.
Lastly, I would like to comment on the narrative style. It seems a bit chaotic at the start, and I was not sure I like the breaking of the fourth wall. But actually, it turned out to be a great way to tell this story.
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
I really enjoyed this book. Is it my favourite Olivie Blake book? Not quiet, but it comes really close and I think if you loved the razor sharp wit of Masters of Death, you'll probably also enjoy Gifted & Talented.
This is very much a character-driven book with little plot and a lot of existential vibes, which might not make it a book for everyone but will be a highly enjoyable novel for some.
Character work was outstanding and I loved seeing how each one of the three explored grief through the lens of their supernatural abilities.
It's chaotic, it's funny, it's sad, but ultimately, it's also a book about being comfortable with who you are, however loathsome you find yourself.
This is very much a character-driven book with little plot and a lot of existential vibes, which might not make it a book for everyone but will be a highly enjoyable novel for some.
Character work was outstanding and I loved seeing how each one of the three explored grief through the lens of their supernatural abilities.
It's chaotic, it's funny, it's sad, but ultimately, it's also a book about being comfortable with who you are, however loathsome you find yourself.