Gifted & Talented

Struggled to get into the book. Gave up by chapter 9. The writing style felt so contrived and forced which took away from the plot of I could seam the plot together which would have been helpful. Seemed like a compelling read if not so hard to track.

Gifted & Talented was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and it really hit the mark. Part Succession, part magical realism, the story centers the Wren family as they come to grips with the death of their tech mogul father. Rivalries, unmet expectations, and magical abilities come to a head as the three siblings try to ascertain who will inherit the Wrenfare empire—any maybe their father’s approval—once and for all. This book won’t be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. I am a true Olivie Blake stan, and this book delivered all of the wit and chaos that I have come to know and love in her work. Something I appreciate about Blake is that while the stories she writes are so different, I can immediately feel her distinct voice and sense of storytelling. I highly recommend this to those, who like me, like something a little weird—you’ll have a great time.

This isn’t just a book, it’s an experience, a ride through chaos, sharp wit, and unsettling family dynamics that leave you wondering what just happened. It moves fast, then slows down, then throws something at you that you didn’t see coming. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reread, and mutter, “Wait, what?” more times than you’d like to admit.There’s no shortage of quotable lines, either. Some are funny, some are profound, and others just hit differently. If you go the audiobook route, do yourself a favor and speed it up a notch. It heightens the manic energy and makes the humor shine even brighter. Speaking of humor, it won’t be for everyone, but if it works for you, it really works.The first few chapters are a jumble of confusion as Blake throws the reader headfirst into the tangled backstories of the Wren siblings. It’s overwhelming, but once things settle, the real intrigue begins. That is, until you realize you have no idea who Lou is and who’s telling this story. Let’s just say their identity is part of the fun. The reveal? Brilliant. And Lou’s identity? An unexpected twist that makes you rethink everything.Now, about the world-building. The Magitech industry, with its roots in electromagnetic waves dating back to Tesla’s era, offers a fascinating backdrop. But despite being placed in the fantasy genre, magic isn’t really the driving force here. Sure, the siblings have their abilities, but this isn’t a story about spellcasting or grand magical battles. No, this is a story about deeply flawed people making bad decisions, tangled in dysfunctional family dynamics that steal the spotlight.And let’s be honest: Gifted and Talented does not offer a single truly likable character. Some had potential, but you wouldn’t want to sit down to dinner with most of them; they’re either morally gray or downright terrible. That said, the morally gray ones would make for some fascinating conversation, but don’t believe a word they say.This was my first Olivie Blake novel, and I completely understand the hype. It’s unpredictable, clever, and relentless. A book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

I just read a book with a lot of asides and detours and it stopped me from enjoying that book. This book has the same, but it was written in such an engaging way that I was asking for the ride and on board the entire time. I actually finished this 19 hour audiobook in 3 days because I had some mind numbing work to do and this gave me the will to live. I've even gone to my Libby app and looked for every other available book by the author and have them on hold. Maybe it's because this book was witty and full of dark humor and, as a previously perfectionistic gifted student who had "potential", was entirely relatable. The characters were crazy and engaging.

This was a bit odd and out there for me. It was enjoyable but not sure the sci-fi aspect was for me. I do love olivie Blake’s writing - it’s just so well put together. The Wrens are a family that everyone loves to hate and the back story of which one will take over the company was great. Read if you are into sci-fi for sure.