Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny and highly entertaining! i was a bit unsure about it at the beginning, as the narrative pings around so much that it leaves the reader with a sense of overwhelming vertigo, while simultaneously remaining unmoved. almost like a first draft, maybe: the part of the writing process during which you're still allowing yourself to be entirely unrestrained, and just indiscriminately write down every single idea that crosses your mind. but as the story went on and tentatively found its focus, i grew to really enjoy it! in a way that prolonged forced proximity might make best friends out of two classmates who would ordinarily have little in common, but still.
i especially liked what the book had to say on the subject of (im)mortality, and the concept of the immortals game (once i managed to grasp it) was very cool and intriguing! i also gradually became incredibly fond of all the characters and their relationships: particularly fox's familial relationship with death, and his romance with brandt. it's been a while since i've last felt this giddily invested in a fictional love story. i've only finished two of olivie blake's books so far, so i can't be sure whether this actually applies to all of them, but i do believe that characterisation is one of the main strenghts of her writing - and in the start you just have to go along with the ride, and trust that in time she will make you care about these people enough to also care about the story (although, admittedly, this is more effective when the character ensemble is smaller). and in this specific instance, the story proved to be captivating in its own right!
death is my firm favourite, but i am also uniquely obsessed with brandt. aita fordeceiving a great number of people, killing a guy, and making a deal with the king of vice (among other things) in order to gain the ability to tell my ex-situationship i'm love with him ? serious answers only.
the main reason i picked this up is that i loved olivie blake's prose in gifted and talented, so i feel the need to point out that the writing style here was quite different - and rather than complain about that one page-long sentence, i sort of wish that there were more of those. i heard some people say that the writing in this book is more similar to the writing in the atlas six: which i left unfinished after two chapters, precisely because of the issues i mentioned at the start of this review. still, i find the way that olivie blake plays around with the act of storytelling so addictively fun! i only wish it were slightly more focused and consistent.
i especially liked what the book had to say on the subject of (im)mortality, and the concept of the immortals game (once i managed to grasp it) was very cool and intriguing! i also gradually became incredibly fond of all the characters and their relationships: particularly fox's familial relationship with death, and his romance with brandt. it's been a while since i've last felt this giddily invested in a fictional love story. i've only finished two of olivie blake's books so far, so i can't be sure whether this actually applies to all of them, but i do believe that characterisation is one of the main strenghts of her writing - and in the start you just have to go along with the ride, and trust that in time she will make you care about these people enough to also care about the story (although, admittedly, this is more effective when the character ensemble is smaller). and in this specific instance, the story proved to be captivating in its own right!
death is my firm favourite, but i am also uniquely obsessed with brandt. aita for
the main reason i picked this up is that i loved olivie blake's prose in gifted and talented, so i feel the need to point out that the writing style here was quite different - and rather than complain about that one page-long sentence, i sort of wish that there were more of those. i heard some people say that the writing in this book is more similar to the writing in the atlas six: which i left unfinished after two chapters, precisely because of the issues i mentioned at the start of this review. still, i find the way that olivie blake plays around with the act of storytelling so addictively fun! i only wish it were slightly more focused and consistent.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SO GOOD!!!!! all the characters were so loveable and it was a really light read while also somehow being dark and mysterious!!!! all the art in it was STUNNING, and i absolutely ADORED the way the plot developed and kept me on my toes the whole time!!!! there were so many twists and turns that i didnt know what to expect next, and the ending left me very satisfied and contented!!! overall, the writing is absolutely GORGEOUS as per usual with Blake's works, and i cannot wait to read more of her stuff in the future!!!! i adored the character development and the extent of their motivations and flaws, and the world-building was beatifully done and structured beatifully!!!!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5/5
The first 100 pages were great. We were setting the scene for a vibrant and fun story about immortal and paranormal beings and their journey’s.
But then this “game” came up and the entire plot unraveled. The next 150 pages was a confusing, rambling mess with too many character dialogues without any specification. I couldn’t keep track of who was talking, what was happening and why it all mattered.
There were too many characters and too many love connections and it felt hurried, and underdeveloped.
I was going to dnf this book with 50 pages left. I will say the ending somewhat redeemed it- which is why i added half a star to my rating.
Quite a disappointing read.
The first 100 pages were great. We were setting the scene for a vibrant and fun story about immortal and paranormal beings and their journey’s.
But then this “game” came up and the entire plot unraveled. The next 150 pages was a confusing, rambling mess with too many character dialogues without any specification. I couldn’t keep track of who was talking, what was happening and why it all mattered.
There were too many characters and too many love connections and it felt hurried, and underdeveloped.
I was going to dnf this book with 50 pages left. I will say the ending somewhat redeemed it- which is why i added half a star to my rating.
Quite a disappointing read.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Masters of Death is complex, convoluted and a complete nightmare to get your head around initially. I was past the 50% mark and still had no real clue what was going on. However it's also beautifully written and engagingly told, with strong characterisations - thankfully as the characters were probably the only reason I continued reading for a while until I got the gist of what was going on - and an edge of humour throughout.
Another reviewers comment was this could have been good if it hadn't been written by a squirrel on crack. I can kind of see the complaint. This is messy, it's chaotic and very little is explained, leaving the reader floundering trying to get a hold of anything that makes sense. It does all come together in the end and things become clearer, but it's an uncomfortable plod at points to get that far.
There's a lot of back and forthing going on here as well, with the author constantly pushing you into the past to explore one character or another's backstory. It makes the novel as a whole seem fragmented and uneven. The pacing could have been improved significantly if some of these elements were removed.
All in all, an interesting novel but also a confusing one and has been alikened to watching squirrels bickering. Lots of squirrel analogies going on here. It's pacing was uneven, it's messy and convoluted and opaque. Yet I will admit I enjoyed it - at least once I figured out what the hell was going on.
Another reviewers comment was this could have been good if it hadn't been written by a squirrel on crack. I can kind of see the complaint. This is messy, it's chaotic and very little is explained, leaving the reader floundering trying to get a hold of anything that makes sense. It does all come together in the end and things become clearer, but it's an uncomfortable plod at points to get that far.
There's a lot of back and forthing going on here as well, with the author constantly pushing you into the past to explore one character or another's backstory. It makes the novel as a whole seem fragmented and uneven. The pacing could have been improved significantly if some of these elements were removed.
All in all, an interesting novel but also a confusing one and has been alikened to watching squirrels bickering. Lots of squirrel analogies going on here. It's pacing was uneven, it's messy and convoluted and opaque. Yet I will admit I enjoyed it - at least once I figured out what the hell was going on.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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