Olivie Blake can write complicated, beautiful, unlikeable but loveable characters in all-encompassing, messy relationships like no one else.

Meredith Wren, the eldest and striving for perfection, is CEO of her own magitech company, Birdsong. She is a woman in power, arrogant, ambitious, and one-minded.
Arthur Wren is the second-youngest congressman in history, able to love anyone and desperate to be loved. He is currently married and in a three-way relationship with a heiress and race car driver.
Eilidh Wren is the youngest, favoured by their father and working for his company Wrenfare following an injury which killed her dream, her sense of self - at one point primed to be the world’s most recognizable ballerina.
Following their father’s death, which of the Wrens now deserved the Wrenfare throne?

Blake’s writing is something to be devoured delicately. Addictive, toxic, beautiful. It reveals something about the world, humanity, ourselves.
This also brought in some concepts that were explored in her short story collection Januaries.

<b>Like before Babel had fallen, some prior versions of themselves were laid in the same brick, sharing the same mortar, such that they’d always been able to speak the same language no matter what forms they took.
</b>
This is contemporary except for the fact that there seems to be some sort of weird trends around the siblings. Meredith seems very persuasive. Arthur appears to be in a situationship between himself and every electrical current. Eilidh keeps bringing about mini apocalypses.

So, completely normal for a completely normal family.
They all have a complicated relationship with their father, with each other, with how they try and cope with growing older and being saddled with so many expectations. Of inheriting a legacy, being a prodigy, doing something do worth with their lives.

<b>Ballet was both delicacy and contortion. Like girlhood, ballet was art meant for consumption; it was virtuous because it was beautiful pain.
</b>
Finally, Olivie Blake’s writing style.
It is just so unique. We have an unreliable narrator, an unreliable and unconventional writing style, different formats, and a whole lot of ways of showing love.

No doubt about it.
Olivie Blake is GIFTED AND TALENTED.

Physical arc gifted by Book Break Pan MacMillan.
My neighbours definitely heard me squeal when I opened my post.

And another amazing book from Olivie Blake. IMO she can do no wrong!

I love Olivie's writing, it's wonderfully pretentious. She really knows how to write unlikable characters which are incredibly loveable.

It's stated as succession with magic. (But I've never seen succession, it's on my to-do list).

Thayer wren is dead and we are reading about his three children are dealing with the aftermath. They are all awful, for different reasons.( And I mainly blame Thayer for EVERYTHING!)

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for approving me to read one of my most anticipated reads early.

I have so many thoughts and feelings about this book, but let’s start with the obvious.. Olivie Blake is brilliant and I will happily read anything this author writes.

Gifted & Talented is unique, and at first I couldn’t quite mesh with this style of writing as it’s so different to anything else I’ve read. The story is told by a very unreliable narrator and it feels quite broken or disconnected, and at first I wasn’t vibing with it.

After about 20% I saw the brilliance, the characters and the view point are very unlikeable if we’re being honest, but I found the characters and especially Meredith to be oddly endearing and by the end I was quite emotionally attached to the story and it’s characters, I’m not even sure how I managed to become invested considering again that they are so unlikeable at their core. The message of the story feels obvious but once you reach the end it really sinks in, people are just people and we create our own expectations or interpretations of who we’re supposed to be, well that was my take from it anyway.

Thoroughly enjoyed this and I’m rating it 4.5 stars.

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Panmacmillan for providing me with an advance copy of this remarkable book.

Olivie’s unique writing style sets her books apart from many others. I particularly enjoyed the narrative style of this book, which captivated me from the outset.

The story follows the lives of three siblings: Meredith, Arthur, and Elidith, whose lives are upended by the death of their tech billionaire father, Thayer Wrens. Thayer, a dysfunctional father, had equally dysfunctional relationships with his children, who, in turn, became troubled adults. The question on their minds is who will inherit the CEO position of his company, Magitech.

Meredith Wren, the eldest, is a successful and ruthless businesswoman who has “cured” mental illness through her company. She has an ex-boyfriend journalist determined to expose her as a fraud. Meredith is deeply flawed, possessing arrogance, ruthlessness, and bluntness, but her ultimate desire is her father’s approval.

Arthur Wren, my favourite character, is the middle child and a congressman (whose election may be at risk). He is the most people-pleasing individual you will encounter. One of the youngest congressmen to date, he is married to a lawyer while engaged in an open relationship. Arthur simply wants to be loved, which makes him endearing. He is an enjoyable read, and one cannot help but root for his success.

Elidith is the youngest child and a character I deeply resonated with (as the youngest of three). A gifted ballerina, she was forced to retire after a life-altering injury, leading her to work for her father in marketing. Being her father’s favourite has its advantages, but as more revelations emerge, it has her questioning everything. Often feeling like the black sheep and excluded from her siblings’ banter and relationships, she embodies the experiences of all youngest siblings, and her raw honesty and relatability makes you want to read on more

Throughout the book, the author skillfully weaves a tapestry of emotions, including envy, hatred, jealousy, desire, love, and power. This integration of diverse themes is refreshing and engaging, as the narrative unfolds through the perspectives of various characters. We gain insights into their past experiences and relationships with supporting characters, enriching our understanding of their lore. This is a remarkable achievement, considering the brevity of the book’s page count.

The concept of magic and technology is both intriguing and entertaining. Meredith possesses persuasive abilities, Arthur wields electrical powers, and Elidith frequently triggers small apocalypses. The characters’ attempts to harness and control these powers create a captivating narrative.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, devouring it in three distinct sittings. It was a complex and multifaceted work, both messy and beautiful, yet toxic in its nature. The book provokes thought, particularly on human nature and morality, challenging our darknesses and examining the adverse effects they can have on ourselves and others.

I was unprepared for the raw intensity of the book, but I must say that it stands as her finest work to date. It evoked a range of emotions, including tears, laughter, and gasps. I highly recommend reading this book at some point.

Once again, I extend my gratitude to PanMacmillan (specifically, Olivia) for providing me with an advance copy of the book.

Instagram review - https://www.instagram.com/p/DGidI6PI37t/?igsh=dDNia3N5a213eXFv

If i got one thing out of this book, its that I felt an incessant need to go and hug my siblings, and I should be far more grateful for them. Also that happiness is completely what you make it out to be, not what anyone else tells you.

Gifted & Talented is a story following three siblings battling with themselves over their supposed sacred gifts and alleged promised talent, after being brought back together during their father’s death. Eldest daughter Meredith is tackling a blackmail case that will total her whole career, middle child Arthur can’t decide if his love lies with his partners, his wife or his work, and youngest Eildih just wants to be seen an appreciated by someone in her family. All three of them have to deal with (you guessed it for an Olivie book), the consequences of their own actions and how to be happy when the thing they’ve built their lives around crumbles.

Unlike other Olivie Blake books where the action is often philosophical, open ended, and leaves you numb at the thought of your existence, Gifted & Talented is an open and closed case. All the pieces are there, all the journeys are complete, all the morals have been learnt and there isn’t anything for you to do except reread and see *how* all these characters changed and got to where they are. I found it extremely clear what the overarching plot is (all siblings have their own storylines, but they’re all tied together by Thayer Wren’s company), and extremely satisfying to see how all the siblings play a part. All the pieces of the puzzle came together slowly- front it starting out as you needing to pick a side, and a sibling to defend but really none of them are the villain. Happiness is.

Highlights include:
- POV switching mid chapter,
- The use of different writing styles and formatting (mainly case switching and scriptwriting)
- The narrator

Oh my goodness the narrator! I was prepared for an Olivie insert (usually in the form of a character backstory, or some inhuman being) and I thought I got that…but no! We got an extremely unreliable narrator in the form of the Wrens’ childhood best friend, and this was so perfectly written in I couldnt ask for anything else. The beginning people so ruthless and unhinged made much more sense when we realise Lou’s relationships toward the siblings. How much or little she knows of them, and how this reflects her views. Her then being a crucial part of the story, still while narrating everything really brought the unreliability into play. I too, thought Meredith pushed Jamie off the cliff. Our side characters are all loveable, and it’s clear they exist to support the three siblings and aren’t a plot of themselves. I enjoyed the polyamorous representation, and bringing light Arthur’s conflicts about the love he feels for his wife, and the different love he feels for his partners, and the love he has for wanting to *be* loved. Eilidh and Dzyhulia shared a complicated, intertwined story namely one of comparison and gave a great story of ‘the grass is always greener. Jamie and Cass I could write an essay on how they’re foils for each other, and how love comes in different shapes and sizes. Be honest with those you love.

‘We only see each other at weddings and funerals’ is the phrase i’d title this whole thing

And the language? If you love Olivie-isms then this one is filled plenty with them. It’s delightfully unhinged.

Ahh the complexities of life and the desperation to be liked and accepted by your parents.

Olivie Blake has done it again: given us a wholly unique novel with flawed and ‘you-wanna-hate-them-but-you-love-them-anyway’ cast of characters with a fast paced and engaging story, filled with humour and equal parts seriousness (some truly heart felt moments buried right between the ribs of the stressful actions of each stand-out side character—it’s gotta be done). A critique of the rich, grounded in reality whilst also filtering in magical metaphorical elements to make you go ‘wow, I like what she did there… WOAH… that was smart’.

We get God as a narrator (Capital G? You decide!) who shares with us the POTENTIALLY BIASED report of the chaotic and socially out-of-touch lives of 3 children of a recently deceased CEO. Their original goal? To follow in their father’s footsteps… but the real plot? I JUST WANT TO BE LOVED AND I WOULD AND HAVE DONE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO TRY AND FEEL IT.
They’re toxic and competitive and stubborn and idiotic but it just makes sense… Of course they are… just meet them and you’ll understand them straight away.

But trust me… This is one you want on your radar. Blake has a truly skilled way of making you care so much about such a complex cast of characters who you would PROBABLY hate in real life but you still root for them because YOU KIND OF RELATE… even though you are nothing like these nepo babies??? But who doesn’t want to be loved? To be seen? To be appreciated?

It’s extremely character driven but that’s the whole point, because it IS all about them… As well as the incredible cast of side characters who in a way are almost just as important as the siblings.

Oh and forget enemies to lovers… have you ever tried enemies AND lovers? OR Lovers(?) and Lovers(!) — Oh boy does this book STRESS you (blame God(?), who narrates this book in a way that keeps you constantly on edge but in the BEST WAY) but it comes together so well. It’s so expertly done.

Also the moral of the story is that pizza makes life significantly better, it’s proven by God.

THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY 😁 - (Written by Meredith Wren)

Gifted and Talented is a character-driven family saga following three morally questionable and dysfunctional siblings who must come together and face their own failed potential in the wake of their father’s untimely death. This book is a brilliant work of speculative fiction with modern technology being intertwined with magic, and all three Wren siblings displaying talent with their telepathic and electrokinetic abilities.

Meredith Wren, eldest daughter and young prodigy, is set to lose it all as her journalist-ex boyfriend sets out to expose her for the fraud she really is. Arthur Wren, only son and failing politician, wants nothing more than for everyone to love him, and it doesn’t help that he keeps dying. Eilidh Wren, youngest child and former ballerina, has been working dutifully for her father in a 9-5 and wants nothing more than to be confirmed as his favourite, but can’t seem to stop causing the apocalypse. The Wren siblings are the heart of this novel, unlikeable and yet oh so relatable as they truly are the epitome of the gifted kid turned depressed adult. Their personalities and relationships were well-developed, and they all got the attention they deserved, with the secondary characters blending in perfectly and feeling integral to the story.

The all-knowing narrator was witty and fun addition, and helped move the story along. I enjoyed the shifting perspective and loved that we got to see into the mind of not only the Wren’s, but also the accompanying cast of characters.

This book is fast paced, and I was hooked from the start. I did not want to put it down. I finished it last night and already want to re-read. Olivie Blake truly does not disappoint and has solidified herself as one of my favourite authors. I would recommend Gifted and Talented to lovers of Succession and dysfunctional family dynamics.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review*

Gifted and Talented is the latest release by Olivie Blake. It is set over the course of a few days and follows three siblings as they learn of the death of their father and the implications of his will. I really enjoyed this book. It is written with Olivie Blake's typical writing style which I felt worked really well for these rich, elitist characters and their thought processing. The characters are all somewhat unlikeable but I still found myself endeared to them and becoming immersed in their world for the duration of the book. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of character driven stories and enjoy Olivie Blake's writing style.

I enjoyed the deeper meaning that the story was trying to bring across. The expectations and childhood trauma that shape the way we are today as adults. The weight and struggle of having to live up to other people's expectations and wanting to prove oneself.
The fear of failure. The crushing desire to be successful, to make something of oneself. The relentless desire to seek out validation could very well be our demise.
I think this one will resonate deeply with those who have ever felt the pressure to be gifted & talented themselves.

4.5⭐

This was my first Olivie Blake book and now I can't believe I've waited this long. What wonderful insight on the messy nature of families, sibling rivalry and how the pressure of growing up as a "gifted" kid can totally mess with your sense of self worth and achievement as an adult. Pretty much all of the characters in this were terrible people - or at least they were imperfect people trying to achieve happiness through all the wrong methods.

Olivie is a master of character. Meredith, Arthur and Eilidh felt so real and each of their voices was distinct in its own unique way. Meridith is such a MEAN person but I loved her POV, her unabashed pragmatism and avoidance of emotion. Arthur is a clingy kitten at heart, and Eilidh was one of those people that pretends to be sweet and innocent so much they genuinely believe it themselves. Some of the thoughts these characters articualted such specific feelings that it had me saying "omg, yes!" Meredith and Lou in particular had me laughing a lot. This book is FUNNY

The magical was almost incidental as magic. It was useful to move along the character development and the plot (incentive to find Lou, and of course Meredith's company) but it could easily have been replaced with something non-magical and I don't think it would have made much of a difference. It was fun though so I'm not complaining.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor/Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. I’m a huge Olivie Blake fan and this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Sadly, the file uploaded for the book has corrupted formatting for me so reading the copy in this state is painful and I would not want to taint my experience of the book through a corrupted format. I have a copy preordered so I will elaborate on this review (if I can still edit it) as soon as I’ve read my copy after the release. I’m sure it will end up being a 5 star, based on my previous experience with Olivie Blake’s books, her continuously maturing story telling and prose and the general premise of the book. I hope to be able to read it very soon, I was super excited about the advanced copy.

Well, who doesn’t love a dysfunctional family with daddy issues? Olivie Blake has knocked it out of the park again with her love-to-hate trio of recalcitrant siblings whose lives are unavoidably slammed together when their father dies unexpectedly. Each has their own personal ordeal they are facing before you add “family” into the mix. Corporate fraud, political candidacy, faltering extra-marital relationships and life-changing trauma make a stressful dynamic even more fractious. And then we add magic into the mix.
Brilliant, as always.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.

Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake is a compelling exploration of family dynamics, ambition, and the complex intersections of personal talent and inherited power. Following the death of Thayer Wren, a tech mogul with a reputation for revolutionizing modern technology, his three gifted children—Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh—are thrust into a fierce competition for the inheritance and control of his empire. Each sibling carries their own brand of brilliance, flaws, and unresolved issues, making for a tense and character-driven read that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

Blake’s writing is razor-sharp and immersive, capturing the underlying rivalry, resentment, and desire for validation that pulse beneath the surface of this dysfunctional family. Meredith, the accomplished eldest daughter, is the most outwardly successful, but her internal struggle with imposter syndrome is palpable and relatable. Arthur, the ambitious congressman, is running out of time to prove his worth, and Eilidh, the once-famous ballerina whose career was derailed by an injury, yearns for the validation she’s always sought from her father. These three complex, flawed characters are at the heart of the novel, and their interactions are a masterclass in tension and psychological depth.

The supernatural abilities of the Wren siblings—telepathy and electrokinetics—add an intriguing layer to the narrative, heightening the stakes of their personal conflicts and the broader battle for control of Wrenfare Magitech. However, it’s Blake’s exploration of the emotional toll that these abilities, and the expectations that come with them, take on the characters that makes this book so compelling. The tension between the siblings, each vying for their father’s approval and inheritance, is palpable, and the subtle psychological manipulation at play is both captivating and heartbreaking.

While the character-driven drama is excellent, the pacing does slow in places, particularly when the story veers into introspective or philosophical territory. At times, the balance between the action-driven plot and the deep dives into character motivations can feel uneven. That said, the emotional payoff and the unraveling of the Wren family dynamics make it well worth the read.

Gifted and Talented is a thought-provoking, slow-burn thriller that examines the price of success, family loyalty, and the crushing weight of unrealized potential. Olivie Blake’s keen understanding of human nature and her ability to craft deeply flawed yet fascinating characters make this a standout novel, particularly for fans of complex family dramas and speculative fiction. While it may not offer the high-speed thrills of some other books, it will keep you engaged with its compelling character work and psychological depth.

She does it again!

I have loved Olivie Blake's writing ever since "One for my Enemy" fell into my hands.
Now, this story is definitely far from a tragic Romeo & Juliet retelling, but it is just as fantastic, nerve wrecking and brilliantly done.

As the story of the three siblings unfolds, I couldn't help but form a connection with them. Even though they are definitely not the most likable characters with a questionable moral compass at best, the author made me root for them and question my OWN moral compass at times with her spectacular storytelling and perfectly executed character development.

She combines fantasy, family drama and the ruthless corporate world like it's the most natural thing in the world - blending these themes together almost seamlessly and creating a story that will have you gripping the edge of your seat the entire time.

This book is a breath of fresh air in my collection. It is a deeply vulnerable, honest and messy exploration of childhood trauma, the exhaustion of other people's expectations for you and how it affects you as an adult. Olivie Blake created characters that will hook their claws into the darkest corners of your heart and never let go.

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.