And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet. Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter.
Poppy is precocious and pretty – and meeting her completely takes Laurel’s breath away. Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.
What happened to Ellie? Where did she go? Who still has secrets to hide?
“When I read a book it feels like real life and when I put the book down it’s like I go back into the dream.”
First Impressions: Filled with Goosebumps
I was super excited to pick up Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, especially considering my love for thrillers. I was also reading this book at the same time as a friend of mine, so it was great to be able to talk to someone about the book while I read.
Overall, I relatively enjoyed this book. It was an intense, fast paced thriller, and at some points almost impossible to put down. Before I read the book, I tried to stay away from any summaries, since I heard that it’s better if you go into it knowing very little about the story. I was happy I did this, because I was not expecting the way this story would go. It was a very dark concept, but I enjoyed its originality. It was very complex, and had multiple layers to the story, which made it confusing at times. But, by the end of the book, it felt like all of the pieces had come together.
“If she could rewind the timeline, untwist it and roll it back the other way like a ball of wool, she’d see the knots in the yarn, the warning signs.”
The Story: A Puzzle Full of Pieces
While I felt that the story was a little predictable at times, it was still a very enjoyable read. I appreciated the layers of mystery in the story, especially the confusion surrounding Floyd. Since we knew for a fact that Ellie was missing, it was nice to have more than one mystery element to keep you on your toes.
“A man who can’t love but desperately needs to be loved is a dangerous thing indeed.”
The Characters: Conflicted Feelings
I also enjoyed learning more about the characters, especially because Jewell gave us heavy insight into each of the characters backgrounds and stories. Each character felt very strong willed and passionate, and you could easily tell what was important to each of them. It was also interesting to see how certain pieces of the story developed, especially because readers were finding out through Laurel. Even though it was relatively early when I figured out the mystery, it was still exciting to wait for the rest of the characters to catch on.
A small issue that I faced while reading was I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. I don’t know if this was because I didn’t find them relatable, or if I just had a hard time liking them. Of course you felt sympathetic for Laurel, but she was a hard character to like. I was immediately suspicious of Floyd and Poppy, and felt weird about him and Laurels relationship. Because I had a hard time caring for Floyd and Poppy, I found it more difficult to engage in the story, but otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.
“Stories,’ she says, ‘are the only thing in this world that are real. Everything else is just a dream.”
Final Thoughts: Give It a Read!
Even with my light criticisms, I still thrououglhy enjoyed the book, and would absolutely recommend it to people. It was a great thriller/mystery, and is great if you want an intense, fast paced story to keep you entertained. Please check this book out and I hope you guys enjoyed!
She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls some say were witches. The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously, one after another, right on Godwin grounds.
★ “Ex Scientia Ultio
From knowledge comes vengeance.”
First impressions: A Sapphic Mystery
I initially picked up this book because I was so excited to finally read a sapphic mystery/thriller. Most sapphic books I’ve read lean towards romance, so this felt just like what I was looking for. It ended up being exactly what I hoped for, and more. In fact, it became one of my favorite reads of the year.
Even though it was released in 2021, I think this novel is still severely underrated. I hope more readers discover it, because it truly feels like a hidden masterpiece.
★ “You can still feel history in these halls; at any moment you might turn the corner and find yourself face to face with a ghost from the past.”
Dark Academia: A Perfect Example
This book is truly a dream for those who love the dark academia genre. The gothic atmosphere, old history, and threads of witchcraft make this read unforgettable. Set in a century-old college campus, the setting helps bring out feelings of the past colliding with the present. Every detail, such as the dormitories, the whispers from the girls of witchcraft, and the secret history, adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty.
★ “But I’m not haunted anymore. Maybe I never was.”
The Story: Full of Secrets
What I loved most about this story was the unpredictability of the plot. I was never completely confident about which direction the story would go in, and just went I thought I had figured it out, the story veered in a completely new direction. There was this constant sense of unease you felt while reading, and I absolutely loved it.
It reminded me in some ways of If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, one of my personal favorite books. The similarities in tone, story, as well as just feeling and aesthetics, only deepened my connection to A Lesson in Vengeance. This, along with the whispers of witchcraft and underground covens, made this a sapphic story unlike anything I’d read before.
★ “I still feel her fingers tangled up in the threads of my fate.”
The Characters: All Full of Complexity
The characters are incredibly well written, especially Ellis Haley. She is complex, magnetic, and impossible to thoroughly understand. Throughout the story, you feel that something is going on with her, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. She is a 17-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner who drinks bourbon, smokes cigarettes, and writes her novels on a typewriter. This is such an interesting character choice, but it works so beautifully.
Throughout the story, Ellis plants doubt not only in Felicity’s mind, but also in ours as we read. Felicity herself is an unreliable narrator, who is struggling with psychosis and grappling with what is real and what is just in her mind. We are only able to see the world as she does, and that limited perspective made it nearly impossible to uncover the truth until the very end.
★ “The question isn’t whether magic is real. It’s whether I can touch it without being consumed by it.”
The Ending: What Do I Think?
I have seen that many readers find themselves indifferent to the ending, or conflicted about how they feel about it. I, personally, loved it, and it felt like the perfect way to close the story. It was both fitting for the characters as well as emotionally impactful for me as a reader.
While I was surprised that the ending didn’t have a “paranormal” conclusion, it still felt like the perfect way to wrap up the story. The entire book thrives on misdirection, keeping Felicity, along with the reader, unsure of what is real and what isn’t, and so the ending stayed perfectly true to this spirit.
★ “For coffee-stained girls in libraries.”
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Masterpiece
A Lesson in Vengeance is a dark mystery unlike any other sapphic book I’ve ever read. It’s unsettling, atmospheric, and beautifully written, and perfect for readers looking for a sapphic mystery/thriller. For readers of Dark Academia and those who have a love for witchcraft, please get a hold of this book; you will not be disappointed!
The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.
★ “Forever is a gift… and a curse.”
Introduction/First Impressions: A Long-Awaited Read
This book was one that I had on my shelf for a while, waiting for the right time and the motivation to remove this book from my growing TBR list. The time finally came over the summer, and I wish I had read this book much sooner than I did.
I had very little prior knowledge of the story or even the characters, and since I purchased it a while before I got to reading it, I didn’t remember what had intrigued me, what had pulled me in. I figure that it was the name Olivie Blake that convinced me to set some time aside to enter this world, as I have enjoyed all of the other worlds that she has created. Other books of hers, such as The Atlas Six and the books that followed, have always intrigued me, and I was excited to see what else she had to offer.
Seeing as Masters of Death was released in 2018, before The Atlas Six in 2020, I wondered whether or not this book would have the same feel to it, or if it would feel like something else entirely. I am happy to report that Masters of Death did not let me down, even in the slightest.
★ “Everything’s a game if you play it right.”
Plot & Themes: It’s Never Just a Game
The quick summary on the back of the book shows that it begins with a simple real estate agent who has a ghost problem, and she needs to be rid of this ghost to sell the house. However, the book evolves into something much more complex: an epic quest to ultimately save humanity.
The story was one that I had never read before, and the plot was so unique that I was hooked almost instantly. With so much information that is unveiled throughout, your interest is kept piqued the entire time.
Upon my first read, I initially had some confusion on certain elements of the story, especially when the immortal game was being played. I found myself going “what?” more times than I would like to admit. But it is all worth it in the end when the story comes to a close, and all of the information that was presented to you finally clicks into place. By the end of the book, all of the confusion you might have felt was worth it, and you feel as if you had just gone on the journey yourself. There is no shortage of plot twists and fantasy elements to keep you on your toes, and the concept and themes of high stakes will certainly have you wondering what happens next.
★ “There is nothing more telling about a person’s character than the silent wishes they keep to themselves, buried in the little nooks and crannies of their hearts.”
Characters & Relationships: A Cast of the Dead and Undying
One of my utmost favorite things about reading is being able to understand a character: embarking on their journey, living their lives through them, and understanding who they are at their core. Watching a character change as the story progresses and finding out more and more about them until their journey ends at the last page is so rewarding, especially when you can imagine their lives long after that final page. Olivie Blake supplies us with so many characters to follow, each with their own unique stories and personalities that make it almost impossible not to immerse yourself in their journeys.
It is no easy feat to have so many characters and keep them all well-developed, but Olivie Blake does this beautifully and effortlessly. At one point or another, each had their moment to shine, and they are all equally distinct and memorable. With an array of both mortals and mythical creatures– demons, vampires, demi-gods, angels, reapers, and ghosts–there is no shortage of characters to love and root for.
I especially enjoyed the relationship between Fox D’Mora and Brandt Solberg. Their relationship was explored intimately and deeply, but we also were able to see them grow and learn who they are as individuals outside of this relationship. Similarly, I loved the dynamic between Viola Marek and Tom Parker. Their playful banter felt very refreshing, and while they ultimately got together in the end, Viola’s character was never defined by him. She was not tied or restricted to Tom’s story in any way, and she was able to grow and blossom on her own.
Mayra Kaleka and Calix Sanna’s relationship was also very comforting. We got to see them explore their relationship and watch as their love for each other overcame boundaries that kept them apart. Viola’s friend Isis was also a great addition to the story, and her quick and witty humor, as well as her experience as a demon, helped bring a new light to the book. Even smaller characters, such as the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael, and even Death himself, left an impact on readers that left you wanting more time with them.
★ “Brandt Solberg had never been a good man, but what did that matter?
Fox hadn’t fallen in love with his goodness.”
Representation: A Beautiful Portrayal
One element of this book that I loved was the relationship between Fox and Brandt, and how their relationship was portrayed. Before reading, I hadn’t known (or had forgotten) that there was an LGBTQ+ couple in the book. As someone in the LGBTQ+ community myself, it felt refreshing and validating to see their relationship so perfectly handled and well-written. It felt both authentic and natural, and this was so inspiring to see.
Their relationship was not used as a major plot device and was never made out as unusual in the narrative; they were simply just two people in love. This subtle representation made me so happy to see, and so excited to see how their relationship would play out.
★ “That pain you feel? That’s love.”
Writing Style: Blake’s Lyrical Craft
Olivie Blake is such a talented author, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style in Masters of Death. The dialogue was engaging, and we were able to learn so much about the characters through how they interacted with each other, instead of just through exposition. We saw the characters through the eyes of the other characters, instead of just as a reader.
Each new chapter brought a different character’s perspective, allowing us to see situations through different characters’ eyes, as well as with their different emotional angles. This helped give a deeper look into what they were thinking and their different reactions to these situations. I also love how beautifully and seamlessly Blake was able to bring us to the past while also keeping us in the present. This helped reveal what motivated certain characters in the present and allowed for a cleaner way of unveiling new information about the story’s mysteries.
★ “To glimpse what a person’s heart beats for, though, is to understand who they are.”
Final Thoughts: A Story that Lingers like a Ghost
Overall, Masters of Death was an amazing read, and I loved being fully immersed in this exciting world through Blake’s beautiful writing and intricate storytelling.
With this beautiful writing came equally beautiful artwork on the physical book. The inside cover art–both front and back– and the illustrations woven in some of the chapter breaks made it that much more enjoyable to read. Those small, thoughtful details added so much to the reading experience and made the book memorable long after I turned the final page.
If you are looking for a fun, witty, and magical experience, then Masters of Death is definitely worth the read!
★ “To have lived is, as he tells it, reward enough in itself.”