I keep trying with this author but I don't think her books are for me.

I found the writing incredibly meandering and the characters mostly unlikable. I can appreciate their flaws but they didn't have very many redeeming qualities.

I loved the idea of this story and thought that maybe I'd finally found the Olivie Blake book for me. But that was not the case.

I do think many will love this story and be able to appreciate it more, so the book does deserve some marks for that.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

This book is all about the characters, and Olivie Blake really knows how to write them in a way that makes you feel invested - even when they’re messy, morally questionable, or downright unlikable. That’s honestly one of her strengths as a writer, taking characters who are loud, flawed, and complicated, and making you root for them despite it all. One of the best parts is how immersed you get in each of the characters and how believable their dysfunction feels. The sibling dynamics are chaotic and often tense, and their relationships with each other feel so real and raw - full of grudges, guilt, and that complicated mix of love and resentment that often comes with family.

The whole story feels like a deep dive into their personalities, ambitions, and how they deal with the huge expectations placed on them by their father, both when he was alive and after his death. You get to see each sibling’s different take on success, ambition, and happiness, and how they process their grief and the pressure that’s haunted them since childhood. It’s like a messy, raw exploration of how their upbringing shaped them and how each of them has their own ideas of what it means to be happy and successful. They all have different lines they’re willing to cross, different ways they seek validation, and it’s fascinating (and sometimes painful) to watch them navigate that.

As always, Olivie Blake’s writing is gorgeous. It’s got that signature lyrical quality, but it’s also sharp and snappy when it needs to be, especially in the dialogue. The way she balances poetic prose with quick, witty exchanges really brings the characters to life and makes their interactions feel so authentic. The plot itself is messy and chaotic, but that feels intentional - it mirrors the characters’ own lives and how tangled up their ambitions have become. It’s definitely more character-driven than plot-heavy, but that actually works for this kind of story.

The one thing I found a little lacking was the fantasy/magical powers element. It’s just not explained much at all, which didn’t ruin the story for me, but I was definitely curious about it. You never really find out how the siblings got their powers, where they come from, or how they work, and while that’s not the focus of the story, I couldn’t help but want to know more. I get that the magic is more of a backdrop to their ambition and how they use it to shape their identities, but I’m just the kind of reader who likes to have a bit more world-building detail.

All in all, though, this book really nails that character-driven story vibe. It’s chaotic, intense, and beautifully written, and even when the characters are at their worst, you still end up caring about them. It’s one of those stories that’s more about the people than the plot, and it’s done so well.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed the ride. The beginning was tough, so much rapid-fire intellectual sparring, so many characters who felt like they existed purely to deliver clever dialogue. But once I settled into the rhythm of it, I started to appreciate what Olivie Blake was doing— she’s a huge character builder after all.

The chaotic sibling dynamic was one of my favorite parts. The jealousy, the rivalry, the way they push and pull at each other—it all felt so raw and real. Those moments of messy, complicated connection made the book for me. And honestly, I don’t think I would have gotten through some of the heavier, more meandering parts without the audiobook. The narration really helped bring out the emotion behind the words and kept me engaged when my attention might have wandered otherwise.

That said, I’m definitely more of a lover of world-building, and that’s just not Blake’s thing. She’s all about building strong characters, and exploring deep relationships with heavy dialogue, which is fantastic if you’re in the mood for it, but I did find myself wishing for something a little more grounded at times. Still, once I got past the initial struggle, I was glad I stuck with it.

I went into this book with hesitation but was pleasantly surprised. I have a lot to say, so let’s try some structure:

Visuals: I’m clearly a judger of books by their covers 💁‍♀️, and this one -- stunning. It set the scene perfectly, my head was spinning before I even started reading (just like that cover did!).

Story: It’s often compared to "Succession" (never watched), but if rich people fighting for money and power while being deeply wounded by their rich, neglectful parents is the vibe, then yeah, that checks out. 😂 This was sloooow. Sometimes suddenly very fast. The entire plot unfolds over about a week, with jumps in time and space that somehow make it feel even longer.

Fantasy: I wouldn’t call this fantastical. Maybe magical realism? But mostly, it felt like superstition and belief rather than actual magic. For me, this book was about different versions of love - and love can be pretty fantastical in its own way.

Characters: You know that saying, "He/She/They is SUCH a character"? Well, everyone in this book is SUCH a character. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. They’re eccentric, sometimes ridiculous, definitely well thought out. In short: a group of mostly rich, spoiled millennials (oxymoron, I know). 😂 I both hated and loved them all - so, success? The siblings were clearly messed up - and I felt for them!

Format: The timeline jumps all over, the POV shifts constantly (sometimes mid-paragraph), and it’s just generally chaotic, but in an interesting way. Also, an omnipotent, god-like narrator voice! Haven’t read one of those in ages, and I loved the reveal of who it was. We get multiple perspectives, which worked well. My favourite parts were a couple of scenes written as a play. Brilliant.

Tone: Snarky, bitchy, funny. 😂 At times, deceptively unassuming. I was bored, intrigued, annoyed, and entertained - sometimes all in the span of a chapter.

Overall: A slow, winding read, but I had a good time. If you like your books with unusual characters, unconventional formats, and a sharp, biting tone, you’ll probably enjoy this.

4/5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gifted & Talented is the latest novel by Olivie Blake- a powerhouse of an author and the mind behind The Atlas Six, Masters of Death and One for my Enemy. I always get excited when I see that Blake is publishing a new book because she has such original stories. She hooks you with an interesting concept (in this case, what happens when three highly ambitious and slightly supernatural siblings have to compete for their father’s company) and breaks your heart by writing about characters in such a detailed and visceral way.

In this case, familial relationships and rivalries are highlighted. The Wren siblings are forced to consider what they would do and who they would hurt to get their father’s company- Wrenfare Magitech. But whilst they are fighting for the power and money that this could give them, what they really want is to be deemed worthy of this inheritance. As they title suggests, they are each gifted and talented in their own way. But, like many who are given this compliment in childhood, they have grown up and become desperate for validation. As a former ‘gifted’ child, I really loved they way that Blake explored this theme.

Nonetheless, I don’t think that this book will be for everyone. The pacing can be quite slow at times as it takes time for the plot to develop. The focus on characterisation is also very strong so there is a lot of self-reflection and plenty of internal monologues which may frustrate people who like more action in their fantasy books. I also know that some people just don’t get along with Blake’s writing style. I personally like that she experiments with form and tries to write in a more challenging, literary style. This allows her to delve deep into her characters and carefully reveals their true selves throughout the book. But, if you don’t love character driven stories or dense prose, this book might just not be your cup of tea.

That being said, I am sure that die-hard fans of Olivie Blake, readers who love books about struggles for succession, and former ‘gifted kids’ will become obsessed with Gifted & Talented.

3/5
Unfortunately this was a DNF at 40%.
There’s nothing bad about the story or writing, it's just that the writing style doesn't suit me but I can see that story was compelling in its own way.
This book feels a bit like a soap opera but not in a bad way – three siblings wondering who will inherit the family business when their father dies and they all kind of have magical powers – but as of 40% the magic element isn't as big of a thing as I'd expected. I am predominantly a fantasy reader so expected a little more from the magic I suppose – especially after reading the Atlas Six which felt quite magical although science based to me. Having said that I did also DNF Atlas Paradox so I think this will be my last attempt with this author – I just find the writing too much for me. It's almost like reading an academic paper. Which again there isn't anything wrong with, I just like to relax a bit more when I'm reading rather than having to really think about what I'm reading. And when I have so many other books waiting to be read I’d rather use my time for those.

This was a powerful and addictive story, which dealt with a number of complex and important topics such as capitalism, ambition, power, success, technology, morality, sexism, social issues and social media influence. The family politics element to this story felt very much like Succession so I was immediately drawn to the characters. There are flawed and deeply troubled characters who struggle with their life choices and with love.

I was very intrigued with where the plot was going and the audio was really enticing. There was a lot of humour which I loved - very sarcastic at times. And the dialogue was gripping. The side characters were also fantastic - Eve was epic.

However, I did feel like there could have been a bit more at the end - it felt like it was just missing something. There wasn’t a huge amount of actual plot and I wanted a bit more from the magical elements.

Overall, an interesting, complex and thought provoking read.

I think Blake puts it best in her acknowledgements, that this “was a lot of book”! At around 500 pages (depending on your edition, my pre-released one was slightly shorter), it’s not the longest book ever, but goodness me, it took some reading. And weirdly, that is not a criticism.

Somehow this book describes the tiniest aspects of human nature and reality just so perfectly, exaggerating some and getting others bang on the money (literally). It’s so brilliant for its writing and characterisation, done in a way that I just know I could never do, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride instead.

When the brilliant CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, a huge corporation with amassed successes, dies, siblings Meredith, Arthur and Eilidh come together to hear which of them will inherit the business.

I’ve never read another book like this. The blurb might have you thinking it’s a wealthy, delayed coming of age story, where the grown up rich kids who were once so talented and gifted realise their own flaws and battle with them. And these rich kids also happen to have strange magic that can do everything from flash a few sparks to bring on apocalypses. (The focus is not here though, don’t let the promise of magic sway you too far - the magic of this story lies elsewhere.)

But it’s oh-so-much more than that, and also, so much less. Rather than a gripping plot, this novel thrives as a warped character study of our three main characters, along with a few others strung along for the ride. They are distinctly unlikeable, but also fascinatingly addictive. As is the story as a whole.

The prose is mesmerising. Long, wordy sentences that could only be described as verbose - they put my long sentences to shame! They often need deciphering, read multiple times to extract a double or hidden meaning. I can practically hear my English teachers screaming at me to “read between the lines” here! But the result of all this is oh-so-rewarding. The story feels like it would make an excellent adaptation for TV, but I fear that would miss all the intricacies that are unwritten.

The witty and cutting narration is utterly brilliant; the epitome of a flawed narration. I enjoyed how this reveals the story to the reader in parts, and how it influences our perception of what is going on.

I felt I would identify with parts of this book before reading it - for some background, I come from a family business and was that stereotypical bright young child that now lives on the edge of burnt out. This meant that for me, the book revealed a few uncomfortable truths! But the parts I actually identified with most closely are those of a person whose storyline weaves under the entire book (you’ll know more when you read it!), who describes a very stark reality of life with a difficult small child. Those parts resonated SO strongly with me and could only be written by someone who has experienced them - the final scene especially, the small blue Adirondack chair.

Finally, back to the characters again. How gorgeously and luxuriously they’re written - in equal parts distressing and distressed! The three Wren siblings alone are complex and complicated, and together, even more so. They are flawed and toxic and they hate each other and they love each other. The “side” characters are even so stunningly fleshed out and brilliantly written - Yves, in particular, is a gem.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book - the publishers especially, as they sent me a physical copy of the book when my eBook version was corrupt!

[Will edit once I read the physical copy]
I have to submit feedback before having finished the book as I am physically unable to finish reading via the ARC. I don't know if others came across this problem - but when I open the book on my Kindle, no matter the font, the text is distorted. Letters missing and/or mixed up, as well as random symbols throughout the text. I really wished I could read it prior to being published and tried pushing through, but the way it's formatted makes it impossible. I reserved a place in the queue for this book via my local library and will be the first one to read it and will publish the review as soon as I can.

As others have mentioned, a hard document to read. Will update once I have a chance to properly read.

unfortunately the copy i received is making it very difficult to read this cause of some errors. i tried to pull through cause this is an anticipated read but it’s not working for me and impossible to fully process everything going on. it’s a low rating for now cause i only got to read 5% until deciding to put this on hold. will definitely come back for a full review once i’ve read the published book.

thank you netgalley and pan macmillan for the arc <3

Gifted & Talented was a such a unique read. The book is complex and nuanced and it does require a little critical thinking to understand some of the underlying messaging. But even so, Olivie's Olivie's writing style and the way it reads like a dark comedy in a lot of places really elevated the experience for me.

I really liked the magic system in this books, and how it does feel like in a way parts of their magic - for Arthur and Eilidh at least - could also be manifestations of their mental blocks or trauma.

Arthur has a desperation to be loved and will do anything for it, and it feels like he's losing his loved ones and his political campaign he gets the 'yips'. Eilidh has compact physical and mental trauma after a career ending injury, and lots of internal rage at living in her siblings shadow, hence the biblical plagues.

I also really enjoyed Meredith's character on several layers. Yes, in my ways I can see how she is a hated character for the way she acts. How her behaviour can be seen as blunt or cruel or dismissive, when really she has a good heart and she is just terrible at expressing it the way her siblings do. You can see the many sides of her, the ones you like and the ones you don't.

I also really enjoyed how much diverse representation was in this book! We had strong female characters, we had references to metal health and neurodiversity, we had polyamory and queer relationships - we love to see that!

The book is brilliant in its simplicity. The overarching story is simple - rich, asshole patriarch dies and now his kids have to pick up the pieces. It is Olivie's writing style, the complex characters and family drama and nuanced relationships she creates that bring so much depth and life to the story outside of that simple plot. And for that, I loved this book.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 :)”

Gifted & Talented was like the Kardashians on crack - and I absolutely loved it. This book is quite different from Olivie’s other books, which can mean that this book is not your cup of tea (do try though, I say threateningly). The magic system was so unique too, I wish I got to know more about it!

None of these characters are good, they’re flawed and bordering on morally black sometimes. No one writes a flawed character like Olivie does. At the end of the book I was so attached to all of them it made me sob when I reached the end (my fav colour is morally grey I guess).

the vibes™:
- magic ™
- sibling rivalry
- fucked up version of the inheritance games i guess???? lol
- morally grey characters
- unique magic system
- family

Olivie Blake has done it again! Gifted & Talented is a masterclass in messy, character-driven storytelling, packed with dysfunctional family dynamics, corporate chaos, and the suffocating weight of expectations. The Wren siblings (Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh) are forced to reunite after the death of their father, Thayer Wren, the genius CEO of Wrenfare Magitech. Each carries their own baggage: Meredith, the ruthless perfectionist; Arthur, the charming but desperate-to-please congressman; and Eilidh, the overlooked former ballerina turned corporate strategist. With their father gone, the question looms: Who will inherit his empire, and at what cost?

This book is wildly addictive. The siblings are deeply flawed, often unlikable, and yet—somehow—Blake makes you root for them by the end. Their dynamic is a chaotic mix of biting banter, buried resentment, and unexpected humor, making their relationships the most compelling part of the story. Told through multiple POVs (including a few surprises), the narrative takes some getting used to, but once it clicks, you’re fully immersed in their world.

Blake’s writing is sharp, poetic, and darkly funny, laced with brutal truths about ambition, trauma, and the desperate need for validation. The Wrens aren’t just fighting for control of their father’s company they’re wrestling with the scars of childhood, the pressure to succeed, and the fear of failure. And then there’s the magic-subtle, strange, and woven seamlessly into their lives.
If you love complex characters, messy relationships, and writing that makes you laugh before it stabs you in the heart, this is your next obsession.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 rounded to 4.

Siblings Meredith, Arthur and Eilidh are insufferable and unlikeable. I think that's meant to be the point of the book, but I really found it difficult to care enough about them to really enjoy the read. While the world this is set in - a mirror to our own where the marriage of magic and tech is as mainstream as Apple products and Uber - is compelling and interesting, I couldn't engage fully with the characters so it made it a struggle to get through. I think Blake is an incredibly talented writer - I've said this many times before, but I find myself enjoying their short stories much more than their full novels. The vibes are always immaculate in their full-length books, but sometimes the substance is missing for me.

This gets 3.5 stars as I can't fault the sometimes beautiful writing, and though the plot meandered around a lot, it was still a coherent read.

Disappointing “fantasy” novel

I chose this book to review, having read and enjoyed one of the author’s previous books, and because I enjoy fantasy fiction. It should be said, straight off, that the fantasy element is relatively negligible and incidental and the novel is much more about the relationships between the main characters, about happiness and love. Thayer Wren’s three children get together with an assortment of “partners” after their father’s death. Revelations and changes in attitude and in relationships ensue. The author loves comparisons: there’s barely a page without a “like ….” which certainly lengthens the text and is presumably there to show the writer’s love of language. As the novel is character-driven, these are well-developed. So I found the experience disappointing, the fault perhaps being mine as I expected more fantasy and less soap opera. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gifted & Talented is a tale of family, love and chaos. Whilst it is an urban fantasy in that there are very real magical moments, the core of the book is a contemporary family saga with a bit of magic sprinkled in. It follows the three Wren siblings who make up a most dysfunctional family. All are very different from one another, but they each have complicated lives and some quite urgent problems reaching a peak at the same time as the death of their father.

It is at times fairly slow-paced which allows us to dive deep into each sibling's situation and what led them to that point. Despite being slower paced, there is still so much going on in this book. It explores legal complications, betrayals, childhood trauma, attempting to live up to expectations as a 'gifted' child, and of course, relationships. Familial, parental, romantic and more, relationships are the focus of the story. The protagonists aren't always likeable, but they are always fascinating.

Recommended to fans of character-driven fiction, and definitely fans of Olivie Blake's other work. Whilst it is very different to the Atlas series, it still has the same feel to it.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this eCopy to review

I recently finished reading Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake, and I must say, it was quite an intriguing journey.

The story revolves around three siblings, Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh Wren, who possess extraordinary telepathic and electrokinetic abilities. Their father, Thayer Wren, the brilliant CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy and a fortune that any of his gifted children could inherit.

Meredith, the eldest, is a textbook overachiever who heads her own biotech company and has recently cured mental illness. However, she's hiding a secret that could ruin her reputation. Arthur, the second-youngest congressman in history, is struggling with his personal and professional life, hoping that inheriting his father's throne might turn things around. Eilidh, once a famous ballerina, now works as a marketing executive at her father's company after a life-altering injury.

The plot thickens as the siblings navigate their rivalries, dangerous abilities, and the weight of their unrealized potential. The story is a fascinating blend of family drama, fantasy, and speculative fiction, exploring themes of ambition, identity, and the complexities of sibling relationships.

Blake's writing is engaging and thought-provoking, making it easy to get lost in the world she has created. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique struggles and motivations. The pacing is steady, with enough twists and turns to keep me hooked until the very end.

Overall, Gifted & Talented is a compelling read that I would highly recommend to fans of fantasy fiction. It offers a fresh perspective on the gifted child trope, delving into the darker aspects of their lives and the pressures they face.

I had never read Olivie Blake before but was tempted in by the pitch. I'd argue it's too long - and takes too long to get to where it needs to go - but the ending was great and very satisfying. The characters really grow on you, in spite of their initial unlikeability. Grateful for the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. 3.5*

Unfortunately this author is not for me. I did not like the writing style at all. I really wanted to love this book but I couldn’t. Also didn’t like any of the characters