Vampire, reaper, angel, death, demons and more.... sign me up.

Olive Blake knocks it out of the park with this story. We follow Fox the godson of death and Vi a vampire trying to sell a haunted house. The story is not linear, you don't get all the answers straight away you find them out slowly as you progress through the fantastic world building. Blake has a way with words that keep you turning the page even when you might not understand that minute whats going on but you do you find out. I think the characters all had interesting stories that make it fun to find out more about each of them. The humour and sarcasm in this book had me smiling and laughing it just fit so well. I think this is an incredible fun, thought provoking, unique book. I mean the game is a great concept to read about. Pick this book up you won't regret it.

Thank you to Tor for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

I’ve gone back and forth for a few days now trying to decide how I want to rate this book, and I think I’ve finally settled on 3.75.

If it was rated on writing alone, it would be an easy 5 stars. Olivie Blake’s prose is spectacular - every word, sentence, and paragraph has been expertly crafted and packs a punch. I mentioned in my reviews for AWYITE and OFME that she has an unrivaled talent in taking a feeling I’ve always struggled to put into words and doing so effortlessly and eloquently. Masters of Death is no different: the writing is beautiful, and as always, has left me feeling hollowed out and haunted days after finishing the final page.

The cast of characters, a ragtag motley crew of supernatural beings, are delightful, too. I loved the ‘vibes’ of the plot, with these spooky creatures living day to day lives, as well as the themes explored and questions proposed, like what makes us human, what does it mean to love another, the intricacies of immortality, etc.

It was the narrative plot itself that lost me. Initially, I adored the non-linear structure, with information being given to us in fits and starts, but at a certain point there was so many references to The Game, The Truth, etc. that I thought I had missed something crucial and would constantly be going back and rereading to try and get answers. Even now, having finished and, for the most part, understood, there are so many things that don’t make sense. I don’t require every book to hand information to me neatly wrapped up in a bow, but I personally felt Masters of Death became so convoluted and ridiculous, and I would find myself putting down my tablet and reaching for something else to read.

I’m really glad I read it, and recommend it to others. Maybe they’ll get on with it better than I did.
I can’t wait to read more of Olivie’s books in the years to come.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake is exceptionally clever, incredibly witty, fast-paced, and a little bit camp. I adored it. It's surprisingly funny, and I found myself quoting several lines (okay, pages) of dialogue to my husband due to their absolute genius. He said they were very reminiscent of Terry Prachett, but I'm yet to read his books, so I can't currently confirm this.

Viola Marek is an estate agent who also happens to be a vampire. Unfortunately, the house she's trying to sell is currently haunted by an obnoxious (slightly endearing?) ghost who was murdered on the premises. She turns to Fox D'Mora, a medium who turns out to be a complete fraud... as well as the godson of Death. Together, with the help of a lovestricken reeper, a reluctant angel and a pizza loving demon, Vi and Fox must travel across realms and play a high stakes game to defeat a powerful immortal and save the future of mankind. No pressure.

I have to admit, I did begin to find certain characters frustrating at points. When I read the quote:

"As usual, Brandt’s logic was dizzying, and Fox tried desperately not to stumble."

I actually let out a laugh because that's exactly how I was starting to feel about this book! However, they way the story unravelled through flashbacks was perfection. This is an exceptionally clever book.

Blake explores the concept of immortality beautifully. Her writing style never ceases to impress me. She has a way with words that's simply intoxicating. Another fantastic read from an exceptional author.

From the very opening, I was hooked on this book. Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing storyteller, weaving a complex and compelling urban fantasy.
The voices of the characters sung throughout and were the winning factor in my mind. With such a diverse cast, it can be easy for authors to get lost in the midst of such powerful characters, but Blake handles them all deftly. The wit sparkles and crackles on the page. The pace of the novel is expertly handled and never lagged at any point. Honestly, all I wanted to do was keep reading this novel, at the detriment of anything else happening in my life.
I'm immeasurably sad that this is a standalone, because all I want are more of these characters. Frankly, I would read them taking out the trash and be happy for it.

I so wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it ultimately ended up feeling like I was wading through treacle to get somewhere. I'm still not fully sure what the story was actually meant to be about, there were so many characters going off on their own little tangents and it all just felt very disjointed

I've read all of Olivie Blake's books so far, and she's yet to disappoint. A wonderful supernatural story full of a variety of characters and supernatural beings.
I went into this knowing very little about the plot, and I'm glad I did.
Olivie's writing is so engaging and unique. Such a great read!

Firstly, I would like to thank the publisher, Pan MacMillan, for approving me to read a digital ARC of Masters of Death by Olivie Blake. As always, the following views expressed are my own and honest opinions.

Summary:
Masters of Death stars a motley crew of beings including angels and demons, vampires and ghosts, as well a half-gods and nymphs. Viola Marek, both estate agent and aswang (a shape-shifting vampire), calls on the help of Fox D’Mora, godson of Death and fraud medium, to help deal with the ghost problem in the mansion she’s trying to sell.
Things take a turn as they are all drawn into the immortals game, where the only rule is ‘do not lose’, in order to win mastery over death and stop the King of Demons gaining the power for himself.

Thoughts:
Masters of Death takes readers on a journey into the weird and oftentimes obscure world of the undead and immortals. Throughout there is a dry sense of wit and humorous banter between characters. The humour came naturally and often gave me ‘Good Omens’ vibes, which to me is always a good thing.
The pacing was well set and I found myself gripped by the story. As it progressed gradually secrets and past events were revealed to us, building up a picture as to how the characters have ended up in such a precarious position, playing immortals game for mastery over death. Although, some aspects are never fully explained, it is not frustrating but expected in this strange realm of beings and creatures who defy logical comprehension.
The story does sway into romance at several points throughout and though this isn’t my preferred genre, it was done well and worked with the story overall. If anything it added an extra level tension, with both loves and life on the line at the game tables.

The characters were for most part that morally ambiguous shade of grey that I am so particularly fond of. Each were flawed yet likable on different levels. However, I feel the story suffered slightly due to having such a large cast of characters and from switching focus.
In the beginning we were mainly following Viola, Tom (the bothersome ghost) and Isis (Viola’s demon best pal). I really enjoyed the dynamics of this trio and the bickering between Viola and Tom. Unfortunately, for me, as the story progressed these three characters seemed to be pushed aside to make way for Fox and Brandt. Though I liked these two, I wasn’t as invested in their story and found myself longing for more of Viola, Tom and Isis, who were still present but now on the sidelines.
Then there is Mayra and Cal, who are just as intriguing but never get much time in the limelight. Most of what we know about them comes through Fox’s story and I would have loved for more time and depth to have been given to these two.

My other issue was the ending. This may sound odd but it was too wrapped up and in my opinion, too sweet and happy. There is no harm with leaving a few things left undone or leaving some characters a little unfulfilled or even sad at the end. I felt it went a little overboard and veered into becoming slightly saccharine but this is mainly down to the fact that, to me, it jarred with the feel of the rest of the book.

Overall, Masters of Death is a really fun read which pulls you in with its cast of immortal beings and undead creatures. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy with a dose of humour or is fond of ‘Good Omens’ as the tone of the book produces similar vibes and smiles. Whilst there were a couple of areas which, in my opinion, the book fell short on, overall it was a really enjoyable story and easily earnt four out of five stars.

Olivie Blake may be my new favourite author!
Masters of Death is my favourite of hers so far. Something that was written with a sense of humour and lightness but without dumbing down the plot.
A story with death, demons, paranormal, angels and mortals, a story that interweaves all of the individuals together without a clear and obvious path so it keeps you reading and guessing.
This book is told without a clear
I eat path and the characters have depth and feelings alongside their own stories the main plot is clever and witty. It makes you think about life (and death) itself but at no point feels that it’s heavy and depressing.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

“existing for the purpose of someone else’s discomfort”

I want to start this off by saying thank you to netgalley for a digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

as soon as I heard the description and the author I knew I had to get my hands on this book, a real estate agent who is a vampire? the godson of death? demons, pixies, sirens, trolls and more? my little fantasy heart couldn’t contain its excitement.

blake has this way of writing that is so magical it literally sucks you into the world, even when you have no idea what’s happening. like I was so confused throughout some areas of this, but a good confused. like “wow I have no idea what’s happening but I know that I want to find out and I won’t be able to sleep until I finally get my answers” and it was 100% worth it when I did. the plot developed at a steady pace, with flashbacks into the past lives of two characters in particular which i adored. I didn’t feel bored or wishing it would speed up, I was just happy I was there for the ride into the authors mind a little which was wonderful.

summary: vi is a vampire, trying to sell a house that has a ghost trapped inside (the ghost was murdered, and all of his family died untimely deaths so people believe there is a curse on the family.) is, vis best friend who is also a demon recommended fox- the grandson of death who can communicate with the dead and the spirit world to help be rid of the ghost once and for all (except fox can’t really see the dead, he uses death to do so.) when they arrive at the house, there seems to be a problem- death has gone missing. turns out, there’s a gamble game that the immortals play, and the only rule: don’t lose, if you win you can get whatever you want from death, but it comes with a price that the immortals are unaware of. fox, alongside his past lover Brandt (who is a thief, a schemer and a gambler), with the rest of the group must go on to play the immortals game that has been closed for centuries to save death and prevent the demon king from rising into power.

wow, I can’t believe I summarised that correctly? but you can see that it is unlike most of the plots you’ve read before and was definitely a twist on the traditional fantasy im used to, I need to put this out there: I WAS OBSESSED Ed WITH FOX AND BRANDT. them separately as their own characters, their relationship together, the tension and heartbreak in the air when they communicate in real life. it was just everything, there were so many heartbreaking scenes and quotes that I think I will be going back on to remember over and over and over again. the ending was beautiful, I think it was the perfect way to address the readers from deaths POV and say goodbye to this crazy world youve found yourself immersed in, well and truly was one of the weirdest yet most beautiful books I’ve read.

If you’re into magical writing, lots of characters, confusing plots that click in whilst reading and gorgeous artwork throughout books- then check this out,

I really wanted to enjoy this one! The cover is beautiful, the premise is fun and original and to start with an enjoyed the style….but I didn’t enjoy it.
It was all over the place and I just couldn’t keep up with what was going on. It hurt my head.

Masters of Death is a phenomenally brilliant book. Would I say it is one of the best things I have read for a long time? Absolutely yes. Would I say that this is possibly one of the best books I've ever read? Almost definitely. It is an intricate web of events and interactions between an array of the most wonderfully-formed characters and it will stay with me for a long time. I laughed, I cried, I thought of having multiple quotes as future tattoos... It's just impeccable storytelling.

Two of the characters mentioned above, and two at the heart of the story, are Death and his godson, Fox, and their links to the 'Immortal Game'. There is also a vampire real estate agent attempting to sell a house inhabited by a charming ghost, a reaper, an archangel, a couple of demons amongst others, who are all intertwined and involved in a sequence of events, where their choices, decisions, deceptions and risks will either save or cause the destructive of the world as it is known. Masters of Death also contains one of the most beautiful romances (romantic in a very unconventional way, mind you) that I have read about for a long time. (Names withheld to avoid giving spoilers.) I also loved the wider theme of mortality and the message it gives about the soul-destroying but heart-racing ecstasy of being able to feel and what it means to live.

As with the other Olivie Blake books I have read, this book requires and is worthy of your full attention. As you're reading, be prepared to not know or understand everything that is happening but trust that it will all be made clear. It will be and in the most fantastic and beautiful of ways, as all of the knots become unravelled, the plots join up and it is SO satisifying.

I have already re-read parts of it and plan to start re-reading the book in its entirety again, as soon as I've recovered from the first reading. Thank you Olivie Blake, NetGalley and Pan MacMillan in allowing me an early read in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, it's a f***ing perfect book. ("Band.")

A terrific urban fantasy that takes as its main plot line the games that the gods play with the fate of man but here, they also play against each other, with far more terrifying outcomes. Death is a laconic kind of guy. He swears and shirks and most importantly, he gambles. The book opens with Death having finally gone too far. Bound by the god of vice, all manner of characters, spearheaded by Death's mortal godson are dragged into a game in which the stakes are ridiculously high and it looks like nobody can win without losing.

This is funny and clever and for quite a long book, pacy and engrossing. I did find it a little confusing to begin with as there is a sense of you being dropped into the narrative with things you should know but don't. Once I'd got it all figured out, I really enjoyed this.

Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author for letting me read and review this book.




𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱



Fox D’Mora is a "medium" and an absolute fraud apart from being death godson I loved seeing how Fox develops through time and, how he has a blunt guardian angel and a love sick reaper as friends and having Death as his godfather it's interesting to see where his journey goes

Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. She is currently trying to sell a mansion which is haunted by a very annoying ghost who was murdered and has no clue how he died.

Eventually Viola seeks out Fox to help with her haunting issue and they become tied in a quest for answers on not just how the ghost was murdered but why his godfather Death is missing and who has him.

With a group made up of creatures, Demons, an angel, a reaper, a ghost, a demigod and a mortal they try to solve and, wrap up all the mysteries and find out what has happened to death? But out of this group does someone know more?

I really enjoyed the idea and it was an amazing concept, I really wanted to love this book but, there was a lot of detail which you need to absorb and, this is where the book missed the mark for me because, of the amount of detail I felt the pacing was off some places where it jumped too quick, where I was needing to reread what I had just read to understand what was going on next and other places too slow  so it 3.5 ⭐ from me.

I would definitely pick up something else by this author and, haven't been put off by this book as I did enjoy it but it didn't fully hit the mark for me.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC.

This may my favourite Olivie Blake book so far. Various beings from various mythologies find themselves banded together to help a ghost figure out who killed him. In doing so, they find themselves witnessing and playing an immortal game. The only rule? Win.

The first half of the book introduces us to the various characters and how they came to be. The second half focuses on certain relationships and the aforementioned game.

This book has a wonderful level of sass and wit, exploring humanity in an urban fantasy setting.

What happens when you take a ghost, a vampire, a demon, a demigod, an angel, a reaper and a mortal, throw them all together and force them all to grow the fuck up and admit their feelings? This comedic yet oddly thoughtful masterpiece.

At this point, I'd read anything Blake published.

The dialogue and character dynamics in this were 10/10 and I couldn't stop grinning throughout, especially at the end.

If you want something sassy and silly and supernatural with the best characters then read this now.

No one can say Olivie Blake lacks ingenuity. This was witty and odd and enrapturing— slow and bewildering but has left such a fond impression upon me. I have truly never read a book quite like this and I know I never will again.

Olivie Blake really is a revelation.

I’m not quite sure what I think about this book. I definitely enjoyed most of it, but I was also very confused by the plot, which meant that I didn’t connect to the book like I normally would.

I liked the dynamic between the characters, especially Fox and Brandt, and Vi and Tom. I think the way that they each hand to resolve their mistakes from their past was very powerful, particularly Fox who had a great realisation towards the end.

I wish I had more time with Cal, Mayra, and Isis to see more of them as they were each very interesting and different from each other.

My biggest drawback was that, to me, it felt very slow to get to the main plot of the book, which meant the resolution felt slightly rushed. There was perhaps too much hidden from the reader, and it left me confused on what the stakes were or the significance of certain events.

I rated this book 3 stars because I wasn’t as drawn in as much as I wanted to be, and I feel it was missing something to really get me invested in the characters.

Many thanks to Netgalley and to Pan Macmillan for this e-arc. This review is entirely my own.

I will be publishing this review in June.

Thank you to Tor for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

This is the story mortals tell about a man who was the godson of Death, who they say eventually learned my secrets and came to control me, and who still walks the earth today, eternally youthful, as he keeps Death close at his side, a golden lasso tied around my neck with which to prevent me, cunningly and valiantly, from taking ownership of his soul.

Fox is a businessman and the godson of death. Vi is a real estate agent and a vampire.
Together, with a motley crew of other creatures, demons, reapers, and angels, they try to solve the mysterious death of a wealthy estate owner who can’t remember his murder and whose family seems plagued by a curse.
Then Death goes missing, taken captive by the god of Vice and our cast must play in a game where everyone loses even if they win. Yet there’s only one rule: don’t lose.

“Ah, how to put this delicately," Raphael murmured to himself. "Well, you see, Fox D'Mora, your godfather is-“
"Bound to an immortal game by a reprehensible demon king," Gabriel generously provided. "And as a result, we're going to need you to do a few things for us."

Blake has such a way of writing real characters, each with their own distinct personalities, depth, and motivations. Each character have their own story that draws you in with an obsessive addiction following the webs Blake weaves to connect them all masterfully.

Would this even be a review written by me if I didn’t take the time to gush about Olivie Blake’s writing (as always)? It’s evocative, lush, and beautiful. It’s revealing, hurtful, and loving.

Things are so much sweeter when they
have an ending; things are so much more painful when they can be ripped away."

Blake writes standalone fantasies with such mastery that everyone must try her lyrical books a go.

I would not say that this book is an easy read... in the sense that you have to devote your full attention to every word on the pages. The plot is complex and will leave you gasping when you finally figure out what the hell is going on as it unfolds chapter by chapter. The book starts with an estate agent, Vi, (who also happens to be a vampire due to unfortunate circumstances) trying to sell a house but struggling due to a poltergeist whose story is unfinished; Vi calls upon the infamous Fox D'Mora (godson of Death) to help banish her problem. This isn't going to be your beach read but you'll love it if you want a gripping tale. Olivie Blake weaved a tapestry of multiple characters' lives into one cohesive story where it feels that not one character could exist without all of the accompanying ones.

Each character has a distinct personality and history. Olivie Blake ensures that you know each character from the inside out and that you FEEL every emotion that has ever crossed them. I believe Blake is insanely talented in making you fall in love with ALL her characters with completely juxtaposing personalities. The book thrives off of the relationships between the characters and conveying the array of ways that love can exist and flourish.


I would give this book 97% satisfaction and that is because I never really figured out what the "game" truly was. I'm not sure if I missed it or just not intelligent enough to grasp the concept. However, I tend to believe that this was what the author intended; I reckon that she wanted this "game" to feel so immortal that a mortal simply couldn't comprehend the rules of it. I think the game helped us to understand the characters journeys and their development into who they have become. I can truly say that I have never read any story that I could compare this plot to- it was both intricate and unique.

1.25/5 stars! I have tried repeatedly to enjoy this author's writing, but I can't. There are many stories with depth, that require the reader to think, that I have loved. But I don't see that in this author's writing. I see a disjointed story that makes very little sense and leaves the reader with whiplash. It has gotten higher reviews, so maybe its me. But this was a painful read to get through.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review