Gifted & Talented was a novel based on a rich, but highly dysfunctional family which was intriguing. The Wren siblings each have their own personalities and I enjoyed how there was a list of characters and three equally fantastic and brilliant siblings, Meredith, Arthur and Eilidh.

After their father, Thayer Wren dies, all three siblings fight for inheritance. Their fractured relationship made for great entertainment in this highly coveted book. It's a long book and is similar to the TV how, Succession. Despite having not watched the TV show, I like that this was also slated as the book-version of it were filled with ambition and greed and worth every single page.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC!

4.5 stars
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'd read Olivie Blake's grocery list at this point. Her writing is so incredibly lush and laugh out loud funny, particularly when making commentary on the capitalist hellscape we find ourselves in.
Gifted & Talented is pitched as Succession with magic. Though I haven't seen Succession, I see the parallels and really loved Blake's take on deeply unlikeable characters vying for generational wealth and acclaim. Despite how unlikeable each of the Wren siblings is, I found my self rooting for them, wanting each of them to find (if not happiness) fulfillment in their baffling lives. This is not the first time Blake has taken a plot I'd otherwise be uninterested in and made it something deeply engrossing through beautiful, character-driven writing.
Would highly recommend to anyone who likes character studies and family drama, commentary on how we as a society treat gifted children, and criticism of late stage capitalism!

Olivie Blake’s writing is so stunning and so unique. This is a brilliant character driven, contemporary fantasy about success, greed and sibling rivalry.

It will make you laugh, cry and have your jaw dropping. It’s emotionally complex and it’s done so well.

Only Olivie Blake can you make you fall in love with the most obnoxious characters. It’s brilliant.

Olivie Blake is back. Three telepathically and electrokinetically gifted children stand to inherit their dead fathers massive company and fortune. except all three of them have a lot going on, so who stands to inherit it and what will they lose along the way?

I love how indepth and well written the characters are. You are fully immersed in their personalities and psyches and their highs and lows. they are not specifically good or bad people, they are just real people, withreal problems they are trying to solve and you may not root for them but you sure do empathise at times.

Of course Blake's writing is as strong and poetic as always, and doesn't just give you all the answers, you have to really pay attention to the nuance. but with some fabulous scathing sharp comments and satire thrown in the balance it out.

I could absolutely see this as a cutting-edge tv drama and i was hooked to find out what happens and what was being revealed about who along the way.

loved every second.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. Olive Blake is not your usual fantasy writer. There’s definitely a “something more” to her books that take on qualities that often can’t be named easily. Literary is certainly one of those qualities and without a doubt she can come up with unique approaches to the genre. This book is definitely a “something more” with many quirks to it not found in the usual fantasy/urban fantasy book. It’s not an easy read initially and its structure, voice and style are all again, not your usual fare for this genre. There’s so much that would be classed literary in this book and I think sometimes it takes from the strength and the power of the book.

It centres around three adult siblings living in a contemporary world except magic exists as an accepted component. With the news of the death of their very powerful and wealthy father Meredith, Arthur and Eilidh scrabble to create the best impression of themselves as the debate about who will become heir to the business empire that their father built. Each of them have been recognized as gifted in different ways but somehow through the years those gifts have somehow twisted in on them and instead of making them shining beacons they each struggle as failures, both in their outward gifts and those slightly twisted magic gifts they possess that are ultimately dangerous to themselves and to the world. These struggles have left them lacking in ways that ultimately challenge them as they grapple with their father’s legacy.

The story shouts out “Succession” with magic in some ways and the siblings have many unlikeable qualities while at the same time Blake invites sympathy for them as the novel peels back some of the siblings’ history and motivations. Thayer, their father is not dissimilar to the father figure in “Succession” in my view, and there is no real sympathy evoked for him in his brutal first generation success story of seizing opportunities employing methods without mercy. Above all, though, the story is a social commentary on the ills of a society fraught with corruption, ruthlessness and no social conscience and the ill effects of those in power who manipulate society for their own benefit. The message is powerful and almost allegorical and the story is structured in a manner that has sections that are even labelled “God speaking” and paragraphs that punch through the fourth wall and speak directly to the reader, as if it was God or at least one of the angels acting as narrator and observer of events and emotions. There is some humour in the banter, some modern society inside jokes too sprinkled about that give it a bit of flavour. All in all it’s a read that will be set apart from other reads as Blake sets about to challenge both the literary style and messaging approach of the fantasy genre.

As usual, Olivie Blake makes you work for it, but it tends to pay off in the end! Gifted and talented is her most layered novel yet, reading like a family drama with just a bit of the supernatural mixed in. Could this have done without it? Maybe. But then it wouldn’t have been an Olivie Blake book-i feel like one of her signatures is this particular brand of mystical/subtle magic that adds to the *vibe* of her prose. I loved the intrusive narration here-it’s unusual but was really supporting the style.

This was such a great read!

Absolutely loved the sci-fi aspect including the different powers sibling had. It was definitely giving Umbrella Academy vibes which I ate up!

Normally I can struggle with the multiple POVs but I actually thought this was very well written and I didn't get lost at all! The jokes between Arthur and Meredith was entertaining and written like a true sibling relationship! T

Overall a great read and I would definitely recommend - I will always read Olivie Blake and she's done it again!

Thank you to NetGalley for Providing me with an eARC for an honest review!

I keep trying with Olivie Blake, because her books Should be right up my street, but I can just never find the appeal. I really thought I would like this one. Complicated siblings relationships in the aftermath of their father’s death, dark, mysterious. It really did appeal to me.
However this book did absolutely nothing for me. I didn’t care about any of the characters and found them mostly unlikeable. I wasn’t intrigued to find out what happens. The writing was meandering and confusing at best.
I loved the idea of this novel but I think it’s time for be to give up on Olivie Blake.
I know many will like this, and there were parts I could like, but the chore of reading it just made it so unenjoyable for me.

I really thought I would like this book. Complicated siblings meeting and dealing with the aftermath and inheritance of their father’s death. So many elements of this appeals to me. Plus the reputation of Olivie Blake having beautiful writing had me sold.
However this left me feeling almost nothing. I dragged myself through this book as I didn’t care for any of the characters. I wasn’t compelled to find out what happens. The writing was flip floppy and confusing at times. I see elements of this famed beautiful writing but the switch (or surprise) of an omniscient but not really omniscient narrator left me confused and frustrated.
I also read half of this book with a corrupted file and got a fixed version after 50%. It didn’t change how little I enjoyed reading this.
2.5⭐️ There are parts I could like, but the chore of reading this drags down the rating.

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