Reviews

Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on.

Fox D’Mora is a medium, and though is also most-definitely a shameless fraud, he isn’t entirely without his uses—seeing as he’s actually the godson of Death.

When Viola seeks out Fox to help her with her ghost-infested mansion, he becomes inextricably involved in a quest that neither he nor Vi expects (or wants). But with the help of an unruly poltergeist, a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel, a love-stricken reaper, and a few high-functioning creatures, Vi and Fox soon discover the difference between a mysterious lost love and an annoying dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as they thought.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!