I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love Olivie Blake's brain, and this book felt like she effectively opened the hatch and let us crawl around inside it.

I can fairly confidently say that this isn't going to be the kind of book that will appeal to the masses, but (not to be too "not like other girls" about it), I'm delighted that I cannot count myself among them. From the very start, I ate up every page of this. This is very much a no-plot-all-vibes book, and if you are intrigued by the concept of what is essentially a 500 page character study of a cast so equally insufferable and relatable that you have no choice but to wonder whether you yourself are, in fact, actually the villain of everyone's story, then this book will be right up your alley.

I had expected this book to be more thematically similar to The Atlas Six since it was well-set up to explore comparable themes of who deserves power and whether it inevitably and inherently corrupts. However, I think this book was actually more on par with Alone With You in the Ether (one of my favorite books in the entire world, I might add) in the way it focused more on each individual character's internal struggles, failures, and general mental health crises. Add to that the fact that this book is so deeply exemplary of Olivie's particular writing style that even if her name weren't on the cover you could spot it as hers from page one, and this book was almost formulaically guaranteed to make my 2025 favorites list.

Granted, I can objectively recognize that this book was probably longer than it needed to be, and that there were a number of questions left unanswered, but I simply enjoyed being inside it far too much to care. I have a feeling that this is a book that I will end up loving even more on reread because I think taking as long to finish it as I did threw me out of what had otherwise been a complete and blissful immersion into the innerworkings of these miserable, idiotic geniuses' heads.

I think if you already know you enjoy Olivie's writing style and sense of humor, then you should drop every other thing on your TBR to consume this next. If you've read her other books before and didn't gel with them, then this one almost certainly will not work for you since it's pretty much an amalgamation of all the things people feel most strongly about in her books, then dialed up to 11. As a near-unconditional fan of everything she writes, I am completely and utterly thrilled at whoever gave her the go-ahead to turn up the volume.

GIFTED AND TALENTED was a really interesting novel because it wasn’t what I was expecting. I was thinking it was going to be very science fiction heavy book almost, which wasn’t the case at all. Instead, this is a close examination of the interworkings of family dynamics and relationships between people on a large scale, with billions of dollars on the line and some light sci fi elements. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it is a heavy read that very much focuses on the characters themselves.

The writing in the book is excellent. The narration style was different, in a good way. It was snarky, and self aware, almost like Deadpool but in a book about unlikable children of an insufferable tech billionaire. It had a voice and a style that I enjoyed.

And, honestly, each character was a bit unlikable in their own way, which was also cool. I started rooting for them, even though I was over them also. It was an intricate character analysis in some of the best ways.

But, the plot does meander because of it. This was a 512 page book and it could have been maybe 100 pages left and I still would have understood what was going on. And the sci fi elements? Their powers? That wasn’t even a large part of the book honestly. Truly, and this is me putting my English teacher hat on, it feels like the powers are there to signify something deeper, like Gatsby and his green light. Interesting and cool, but not what I needed or wanted

Overall, this was a good book that I did enjoy. It’s not one you can fly through or one that is light. Read this if you like extremely character driven novels, good and unique writing, snarky commentary, and unlikable charterers.

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thayer Wren the CEO of Wrenfare Magitech we learn is dead. The story right from the beginning quickly introduces us to his three children who are telepathically and electrokinetically gifted. They truly believe they are up to inherit the Wrenfare throne with their father having passed on.
The three adult children are named Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh.

Olivie Blake, who I have read before always does a great job at fleshing out interesting driven characters who you are equally horrified and impressed by. You constantly alternate between rooting for them, and waiting for the choices to blow up in their faces.

I did choose to not finish this book at around 15% due to not being able to connect to the storyline, characters, or author’s writing style. In the future I would give this author another chance since I loved other books by her such as the Atlas series and “Alone with you in the Ether”.

This was pretty good. Olivie Blake’s writing is so immaculate and atmospheric and this was absolutely that. I’m excited for this to be published and everyone starts to read it. It’s definetly worth the read.

3.5 stars for me! This was a hard one for me. This is actually my first Olivie Blake book so I was excited going into it! I will be totally honest and say that I heavily considered Dnf'ing this book around the 45% mark because I was having a hard time getting into it and staying engaged. The story contains some flashbacks but for the most part happens within the course of a week. It's about three siblings who have recently lost their overbearing, overly driven, distant father are forced to come together for the reading of the will and the announcement of who will succeed him. About 50% through the book, the tone went from toxic siblings to redemption and parenthood which was interesting. I think I will be thinking about this one for a while. I did find myself skipping and skimming multiple paragraphs that just felt unnecessary or like too much repeated info dumping.

Another great book by Olivie Blake. They never disappoint. This story of rival siblings was very entertaining. My library will be purchasing this title.

Thank you to @netgalley and @torbooks for providing this eARC for my review!!

⭐️: 4/5

Olivie Blake is consistently one of my favorite authors, and I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her to date. Her writing style and the wry, tongue-in-cheek observational references that are so typical of her books make for a great reading experience. What really always shines in her books though are her characters and they way she makes them so interestingly flawed, so you know you can’t ~like~ them, but you also can’t help but either relate to them, or root for them. In this book, it was specifically Blake’s characterization of Meredith who shined. The way that she, as a character, was portrayed as unlikable and abrasive and terrible, and all these things, but still everyone in the book wanted her to like, love, or respect them was parallel to the way that the reader is intended to feel about her, and relate to her, which was a really clever trick. The narrative voice was also a great added layer to the story.

This one started as a bit of a slow burn, and it really took me a decent amount of the book to really get invested in the story and the characters, or really see the point in general of the book, but once I got there, I really liked it. I was also a little intimidated by the length of this one, and while it did take me a little longer to read than usual, due to both the length and the slow start, I ultimately think it did need the whole, long length to get the points and story across fully. Blake continues to be a favorite author of mine, and now I’m even more motivated to continue reading though her pre-Atlas series books!

Dysfunctional sibling dynamics? Corporate chaos? Childhood trauma and the crushing weight of expectations? This book has all this and more in an utterly messy, character-driven story that had me deeply invested..
Three siblings gathering for the funeral of their father, Thayer Wren, the genius CEO of Wrenfare Magitech. Meredith, the eldest, is the overachieving, perfectionist daughter who always strives to prove herself. Arthur, the middle child, is the youngest congressman in history and a people pleaser. And then there’s Eilidh, the youngest, a former star ballerina turned marketing executive who is often overlooked and underestimated. With their father gone, the question remains, who will inherit his empire, and at what cost?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for this digital e-arc.*

What a brilliant, beautiful, hilarious, irritating, and overall engaging and amazing book! I literally loved this even though I had no idea what was happening half the time. The pretense is a billionaire dies and his three kids reunite to get through the week of his estates, his billion dollars business, and deal with each other. I don’t usually read books about family dynamics but this got me hooked like reality TV gets you hooked and I hated the characters but I also loved them but I also wanted them to fail and yet by the end I was rooting for them. It was endlessly amusing and I chuckled a lot. I think the best way to describe this book is- shit happens and family can be trying but ultimately we’re all human and that brings us together if we want it to. “God” really does have her humorous ways.

Thank you so much to Net Galley for the ARC!

This was absolutely spectacular! It is a stunning study in family dynamics with a twist of magic that I could not put down.

I went into this expecting everything I love about Olivie Blake’s writing and she delivered that plus more!

Olivie Blake is a master at creating dynamic and complex characters that feel so delightfully (and sometimes irritatingly!) real. The characters in Gifted & Talented are no exception; while Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh aren't perfect or likable at times, they are so complex and nuanced that they really make this intensely character-driven story work.

Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh Wren are called together to hear the last will and testament of their father. Their father Thayer Wren is an extremely successful man, a giant in the tech industry. His sudden death throws not only his children, but the entire industry, into speculation as to who will be given the reins to the company to carry on his legacy. Burdened by professional and personal troubles of varying catastrophe, the three Wren siblings wait to see what the will and testament says, and contemplate how much the inheritance is correlated with their father's opinion of them.

Gifted & Talented is a story of family legacy, of inheritance, of trying (and failing, or perhaps not?) to live up to the crushing expectations of people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. The magic system is interesting, but takes a backseat to the complex family dynamics. I would have perhaps liked to see more of the Wren's magical abilities in another story, but the focus here was on the internal journey Meredith, Arthur, and Eilidh had to go on. The voice of God narration was snarkily fun, and really reminded me at times of A Series of Unfortunate Events in terms of narration style. Overall, a fascinating character study!

Gifted and Talented is a fascinating character study wrapped in a genre-blurring narrative. At its core, it follows three deeply dysfunctional siblings in the wake of their father’s death, weaving between past and present to unravel the tangled dynamics that shaped them. Each sibling is unapologetically morally gray - self-absorbed, messy, and often oblivious in a way that feels both darkly humorous and deeply compelling.

What sets this story apart is its approach to magic. Rather than existing as a structured system, it feels almost incidental, blending seamlessly with the novel’s sci-fi-leaning elements. This unconventional take makes the world feel unpredictable and offbeat, much like its characters. Their interactions and the frequent fourth-wall breaks evoke the sharp wit and chaotic energy of Arrested Development, making for an entertaining and wildly original read. If you love the Bluths, you’re going to love the Wrens!

I highly recommend this one to readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling, morally complex characters, and a touch of dark humor. Thank you so much to Tor for the advanced ebook!

When CEO Thayer Wren dies, his three children vie to be his successor. Eldest Meredith seemingly has it in the bag- she is the head of her own company and perfect in every way. But she has a secret she will do anything to suppress. Middle child Arthur seemingly has it all-the youngest congressman fights for a better world- but behind the scenes his life is falling apart. Youngest Eilidh, the once famous, gifted dancer who flew too close to the sun, now lives in obscurity as an executive in her dad's company. She may not have the drive or success of her siblings but she has one thing her siblings didn't- her father's love.
Gifted & Talented is Olivia Blake's fantasy take on Succession. Full of dark humour and biting nature, this book will appeal to readers of K. F. Kuang's Yellowface.

THIS APP WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY :)

I was not a fan of Olivie Blake's Atlas Six, but when I heard she was writing another book, specifically a magical book of darkness and Succession vibes, I was tuned in. The cover alone is intriguing and accurately depics three powerful siblings at war with each other. GIFTED & TALENTED dives into this powerful Wren family and theur dynamics.

Thayer Wren, the visionary CEO of Wrenfare Magitech, is dead, leaving his three gifted children vying for the throne. Meredith, the biotech genius, hides a dark secret; Arthur, the ambitious congressman, is losing everything; and Eilidh, the former ballerina, seeks validation from her late father’s fortune. As each struggles with their own personal demons, only one will claim the inheritance—and the power that comes with it.

I truly enjoyed the POVs of each of the siblings in their own different ways. Meredith is a complete Slay ICON queen b psychopath, who may have been my overall favorite. Arthur is sensitive and sexy, where he dabbles in polyamory (whether his wife actually agrees on this is still out for the jury) and Eilidh is probably the most normal of the Wren family. The other characters are more down to earth than this trio, and they round out the bunch in fun and messy ways. GIFTED & TALENTED is a book about the three siblings and their journey for power and acceptance. This book is a character-driven family saga at its core, with magic sprinkled in at times, so I would say this book is magic-lite at best (win for me!). I would have given this book a total 5 stars, but midway through the pacing slowed down in ways that I didn't expect, which caught me wanting to take a break from the story. That being said, I did read this saga in only a few days because the overall story kept me completely hooked. If Olivie Blake continues down this journey for her books, this reader will be tuned in!

GIFTED & TALENTED by Olivie Blake won't be for everyone, but for those that appreciate Blake's writing style and off putting characters, you're in for a treat. This book is pitched as SUCCESSION with magic, and while I agree on the complicated sibling dynamics front, I personally found the magic to be a bit underwhelming, but that makes sense as the core of the story belongs to the messy family dynamics of the Wrens, and their less than desirable relationship with their late father. Blake describes these characters as being bitchy, lost, troubled and sad souls so you have to go into their arcs knowing that you'll mostly be disappointed with their bad choices. But if you're able to power through the slow pacing and unnecessarily long page count, you just might find a satisfying ending.

Special thanks to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gifted & Talented
By: Olivie Blake

Fantastic. Amazing. Witty, Clever. Wonderful. Gosh I just love Olivie. She has such a unique writing style that draws you in immediately. Thank you so much Tor books for this ARC. As soon as the book begins, we are introduced to three ridiculously outrageous in their own way siblings. Meredith is the eldest of the family, and she is working on the release of an app that is supposed to cure depression… then there is Arthur who is deep in his partying, drugs, and.. erm.. his thruple with his wife on the side? Then we have Eilidh who is more of a softer character.. once a ballerina star but now forced to settle for working for her fathers company after a career ending injury. When their father passes away unexpectedly, the three are forced together as they face off to figure out who their father left his company too and other items in his will. “When there’s a will, there’s a war” sums this book up perfectly. Loved that their was even a flare of magic in this. The characters are so twisted and quirky. This book really had it all. Couldn’t put it down. This releases 4/1! Can’t wait for more from Olivie.

Does it make sense to say that I loved and hated this book? Ultimately, I don’t think it was a good fit for me, but to say that I didn’t like it wouldn’t be accurate at all. This is a complex and interesting story filled with beautiful writing and deeply flawed characters. The story contains some flashbacks but for the most part happens within the course of a week when three siblings who were expected to be prodigies from their exceptionally intelligent and shrewd father find out that their last living parent has died. The book takes place as they come together in the wake of his death to plan for his funeral, and, most importantly, to find out to whom their father left his company.

My favorite part of this book was the dry humor - many times the writing had me chuckling out loud, even as I was filled with disdain for the characters. They are so ridiculously awful, and the omniscient yet unreliable narrator’s comments were absolutely hilarious. I think the book could have been trimmed down significantly for a stronger impact. There were so many passages that I found myself glossing over because either the writing was repetitive or I was just bored.

I think it’s very likely that I am just not smart enough for this book. I still don’t really understand the nature of the family business, the app that the oldest sibling was developing, or what the magic inside of them was all about. Thankfully, I had Yves Reza, the drug-toting, polyamorous racecar driver, to keep me invested! I’d read an entire book just on Yves’ character - so fantastically crazy and lovable! But the rest of the characters? Yeah, they kind of suck.

Picked this one up purely because it was described as "Succession with magic," and it didn't let me down. While I did have some difficulty following at times (I was also lost a majority of the time watching Succession), it was still thoroughly enjoyable. I did wish there was a little bit more magic, or delves into the siblings' powers, but there was enough to keep me interested for the entire book. I did read this a little faster than normal to meet the deadline, but you can guarantee I'm picking up a special edition when it releases to do a reread when I can spend more time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

3-4 stars

Thank you so much NetGalley for an E ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve teetered between loving and really disliking Olivie Blake’s novels — I really disliked The Atlas Six, but Alone With You In The Ether is one of my favorite books of all time. I’m really excited for this book to come out and was happy with what I ended up reading.

I think the way she crafts her magic systems are incredibly unique and I have always found her characters to be interesting. This novel explores the tainted and flawed Wren siblings and their shock and scramble for power when their father suddenly dies. I loved the modern take on magic and how it is immediately transformed into a commodity and a means of production to further the lives of the money hungry. I also loved this sibling dynamic (reminds me a lot of Succession, which I am obsessed with) and how deep we go into their character design and thought process. The Wren siblings all come from privileged backgrounds; all from Ivy League schools that thrust them into incredibly successful careers. Behind these carefully constructed facades are lives built on lies and deceit. I thought it was fantastic how Blake crafted these facades and tore them down by getting us into the nitty gritty with the siblings and how much their lives are really messed up.

Overall really good — my one thing is that it should’ve been shorter. Blake could have easily shaved off 100 pages of repetitive language.

Ideal for readers who enjoy emotionally charged family sagas blended with magical realism, exploring the complexities of sibling rivalries and the burdens of unrealized potential.