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A review by jessicaofthetower
Masters of Death by Olivie Blake
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I recently finished reading "Masters of Death" by Olivie Blake and had a mixed experience with it. Initially, I found it difficult to get into, with the pacing feeling bogged down in places. However, the book won me over in the last third as the plot picked up pace and character dynamics deepened. The intrigue of the character dynamics and their stories are ultimately what drives this story forward.
The first third of the book spends a lot of time on character introductions and world building that does not necessarily pay off with depth or complexity. The main cast of characters are interesting, flawed and enjoyable but there are many superfluous characters that add little to the plot and are not well or clearly developed. I found their inclusion slowed pacing and clogged up the plot's arteries.
The first third of the book spends a lot of time on character introductions and world building that does not necessarily pay off with depth or complexity. The main cast of characters are interesting, flawed and enjoyable but there are many superfluous characters that add little to the plot and are not well or clearly developed. I found their inclusion slowed pacing and clogged up the plot's arteries.
Another aspect of book that stood out to me was the writing style. It's quite stylized, with a very loud authorial voice that sometimes broke immersion for me. The witty banter, particularly between Fox and Brandt, often felt like it was trying too hard. In other dynamics such as between Tom and Viola it felt more authentic and natural.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters and by the end of the book had connected with most of the main cast of characters, although that process certainly felt slower than typical for me. The tone of the story was generally witty, humorous and philosophical which I think contributed to it feeling quite cerebral and head-lead rather than heart-lead.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters and by the end of the book had connected with most of the main cast of characters, although that process certainly felt slower than typical for me. The tone of the story was generally witty, humorous and philosophical which I think contributed to it feeling quite cerebral and head-lead rather than heart-lead.
Despite these issues, I appreciated the good vibes, overall aesthetic and satisfying ending. If you're a fan of stylized writing and witty dialogue, you might enjoy this book. It took some time, but ultimately, I was glad I stuck with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder