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Lovely Tangled Vices
The Locke sisters are the last of a dwindling line of witches, cast aside by the coven council and left to their own devices in the magicless town of Knot's Landing. While Ariadne's raw talent attracts the attention of a morally questionable pseudonymous profiteer, Aurora's careful plotting leads her to a sorority of witches whose sinister past can't quite be compelled to die. As each sister's choice results in unexpected allies, inadvisable loves, and even less desirable enemies, they soon find themselves on opposing sides of a festering conflict, forced to choose where they stand amid bitter rivalries for loyalty and power. Bad blood between witches means long-hidden truths will eventually out—but when it comes to the wars between sisters, nothing is more valuable than the secrets they keep close.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2018
10 people are currently reading
872 people want to read
About the author
Olivie Blake
45 books17.1k followersOlivie Blake is the pseudonym of Alexene Farol Follmuth, a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.
Olivie has penned several indie SFF projects, including the webtoon Clara and the Devil with illustrator Little Chmura and the viral Atlas series. As Follmuth, her young adult rom-com My Mechanical Romance releases May 2022.
Olivie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and new baby, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.
Olivie has penned several indie SFF projects, including the webtoon Clara and the Devil with illustrator Little Chmura and the viral Atlas series. As Follmuth, her young adult rom-com My Mechanical Romance releases May 2022.
Olivie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and new baby, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 13, 2024
I like and don't like the ending at the same time
very tangled, indeed
very tangled, indeed
Want to read
March 29, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/29/2020)! 🎁
August 23, 2021
Things went up and down in this book, it made me conflict a LOT but that’s what made me love it so much too? It was enthralling to read and even if I was disappointed at one stop everything came to conclusion quite “lovely and tangled”, it clicks.
Now Olivie please give me and Ariadne novella, I beg PLEASE.
EDIT: changed my rating to 3.5 stars after some thinking because mainly like i said i felt so contradicted and because i think ariadne’s character was made injustice.
Now Olivie please give me and Ariadne novella, I beg PLEASE.
EDIT: changed my rating to 3.5 stars after some thinking because mainly like i said i felt so contradicted and because i think ariadne’s character was made injustice.
October 24, 2022
need olivie to write more books about witches because she writes them so well. i think my main “issue” is how her books about witches more or less are structured the same way and plots flow in similar ways. i read one for my enemy, masters of death, and lovely tangled vices pretty spread out (about a 6 month difference between each) but still when i read this book it did end up feeling repetitive.
June 28, 2023
Ariadne deserved better. Aurora shouldnt have been the focus. Nicholas pissed me off. Nobody gave a fuck about ian. Celeste had potential. Actually ariadne shouldve gone crazy at the end but wtv.
This book tried so hard but it will never be masters of death.
This book tried so hard but it will never be masters of death.
August 23, 2021
#JUSTICEFORARIADNE. loved the writing style.
the three stars are for ariadne locke. i’d give her the whole universe.
the three stars are for ariadne locke. i’d give her the whole universe.
September 1, 2023
2.75/5 Stars
February 5, 2022
5/5 stars 🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮
Another reread of an Olivie Blake book for me yet again 🗝
Twin Sisters. Unknown power. A sorority of witches. Witch hunters. Sister Crows. Blood Oaths. Magical heists/thievery. Betrayal. Cocktail recipes. This book has it all!! Also I am an unapologetic Ariadne Locke fan, she is the best; I don’t make the rules.
I read it last year and couldn’t curb the feminine urge to reread it once again, and thought I would add a review for it. I love how engrossing Olivie’s worlds and words are, and how you never know what will happen because her characters are so multi-dimensional. It’s so easy to get swept away by the writing and I love the banter between the characters.
Some quotes I loved:
"People often want a fairy tale. They're tricky things, though, aren't they? The thing about fairy tales is they're nothing without some essential kernel of truth, and people are often foolish enough to think that's the beauty of them. They're wrong, of course. People think truth and beauty are the same thing; not so. The Locke sisters are proof of that, and that's the kernel in this story."
"There is always someone who makes us weak."
"Now, though, the crumbling facade was a relief to behold; the strange feeling of magic curling around the corners seemed comforting instead of threatening, as if it were a haunting by a long-familiar ghost."
I just seriously cannot recommend this author enough. Little Chmura (the illustrator) knocked it out of the park again with her incredible artwork: The Locke House, the TKM House & fun character sketches are depicted and trust me you want to see this art. Olivie included recipes for drinks by the Tau Kappa Mu witches in the beginning, so make yourself a Death in the Afternoon and crack open this under-appreciated gem 🥂🏠
Another reread of an Olivie Blake book for me yet again 🗝
Twin Sisters. Unknown power. A sorority of witches. Witch hunters. Sister Crows. Blood Oaths. Magical heists/thievery. Betrayal. Cocktail recipes. This book has it all!! Also I am an unapologetic Ariadne Locke fan, she is the best; I don’t make the rules.
I read it last year and couldn’t curb the feminine urge to reread it once again, and thought I would add a review for it. I love how engrossing Olivie’s worlds and words are, and how you never know what will happen because her characters are so multi-dimensional. It’s so easy to get swept away by the writing and I love the banter between the characters.
Some quotes I loved:
"People often want a fairy tale. They're tricky things, though, aren't they? The thing about fairy tales is they're nothing without some essential kernel of truth, and people are often foolish enough to think that's the beauty of them. They're wrong, of course. People think truth and beauty are the same thing; not so. The Locke sisters are proof of that, and that's the kernel in this story."
"There is always someone who makes us weak."
"Now, though, the crumbling facade was a relief to behold; the strange feeling of magic curling around the corners seemed comforting instead of threatening, as if it were a haunting by a long-familiar ghost."
I just seriously cannot recommend this author enough. Little Chmura (the illustrator) knocked it out of the park again with her incredible artwork: The Locke House, the TKM House & fun character sketches are depicted and trust me you want to see this art. Olivie included recipes for drinks by the Tau Kappa Mu witches in the beginning, so make yourself a Death in the Afternoon and crack open this under-appreciated gem 🥂🏠
February 21, 2024
Ariadne deserved better.
Slow start and middle, picked up in the last quarter or so.
I'd say it's a good story to be read in autumn, around Halloween, due to obvious reasons.
Slow start and middle, picked up in the last quarter or so.
I'd say it's a good story to be read in autumn, around Halloween, due to obvious reasons.
September 19, 2025
EVERY. DAMN. TIME. olivie blake writes perfectly perfect stories and I will continue to devour them. especially when they are witchy love triangles.
January 2, 2019
All you had to say was “witch sorority,” and of course I’d be hooked! My favorite thing about this author’s writing is her characters. They always have such compelling backgrounds, personalities, and motivations. Olivie is especially great at representing women and the complexities of their relationships with each other. My only wish is that it was longer! I would have loved to get to know these characters even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes compelling women characters, magic, and beautiful prose.
When you’re finished, read Masters of Death.
When you’re finished, read Masters of Death.
April 11, 2020
I thought I knew how this would end, and I definitely didn't get it right. Fell in love with each character. Just lovely.
Read
October 11, 2024loved the concept not the execution
June 21, 2022
3.5
before i even finished the book, when i was about 3/4ths through, i already imagined what i would write in my review. “aurora is a nasty bitch” “prospero is a classless whore” were thoughts that often ran through my head every time i read a scene between them, and while still true (to me at least), they are no longer statements i feel as strongly as i did before.
SPOILERS
i guess you could say the ending was good, but from the way the story began, i would not have imagined it to conclude that way. i had reason to believe ariadne would be the main character and even more reason to believe it was her and prospero that would end up together. and what was the point of making ian a love interest for aurora if it only lasted 4 seconds and it’s him and celeste that are together in the end?
END
it kind of feels like olivie blake had a lot of ideas for the plot and tried to throw it all together. luckily some of them stuck, but some of them also fell off. all in all however, the book was enjoyable.
the only thing i can’t forgive olivie for is how ariadne got treated. no amount of reconciliation in the end will make me forget what was done to her in the midst of the story. ariadne i’m sorry i couldn’t protect you.
before i even finished the book, when i was about 3/4ths through, i already imagined what i would write in my review. “aurora is a nasty bitch” “prospero is a classless whore” were thoughts that often ran through my head every time i read a scene between them, and while still true (to me at least), they are no longer statements i feel as strongly as i did before.
SPOILERS
i guess you could say the ending was good, but from the way the story began, i would not have imagined it to conclude that way. i had reason to believe ariadne would be the main character and even more reason to believe it was her and prospero that would end up together. and what was the point of making ian a love interest for aurora if it only lasted 4 seconds and it’s him and celeste that are together in the end?
END
it kind of feels like olivie blake had a lot of ideas for the plot and tried to throw it all together. luckily some of them stuck, but some of them also fell off. all in all however, the book was enjoyable.
the only thing i can’t forgive olivie for is how ariadne got treated. no amount of reconciliation in the end will make me forget what was done to her in the midst of the story. ariadne i’m sorry i couldn’t protect you.
October 15, 2024
Lovely Tangled Vices by Olivie Blake was a perfect fall read with witches, magic, a bit of mystery, and dark academia vibes.
This book has a little of everything, but the story mainly focuses on the Locke sisters who are twins and the last of a dwindling line of witches.
They are pulled in separate directions, as Ariadne gets caught up with a mysterious profiteer and Aurora is led to a sorority of witches with a sinister past. Yet somehow these choices tangle their paths together and they find themselves on two different sides of a conflict.
A few of my favorite quotes:
•"But what is a fairy tale, if not the lovely trappings of an ugly truth?"
•"There is always someone who makes us weak"
•"It's only a wise man who fears getting what he wants. I, on the other hand, am generally an idiot, and vastly more afraid of the opposite."
•"There is always a particular sense of peacefulness that can't be trusted; always a stillness that precedes a storm."
I will never stop recommending books by Olivie. She is one of my favorite authors, and I always find her stories to be captivating. I love the complexity of her characters and plotlines.
This book has a little of everything, but the story mainly focuses on the Locke sisters who are twins and the last of a dwindling line of witches.
They are pulled in separate directions, as Ariadne gets caught up with a mysterious profiteer and Aurora is led to a sorority of witches with a sinister past. Yet somehow these choices tangle their paths together and they find themselves on two different sides of a conflict.
A few of my favorite quotes:
•"But what is a fairy tale, if not the lovely trappings of an ugly truth?"
•"There is always someone who makes us weak"
•"It's only a wise man who fears getting what he wants. I, on the other hand, am generally an idiot, and vastly more afraid of the opposite."
•"There is always a particular sense of peacefulness that can't be trusted; always a stillness that precedes a storm."
I will never stop recommending books by Olivie. She is one of my favorite authors, and I always find her stories to be captivating. I love the complexity of her characters and plotlines.
March 3, 2022
3.5 stars
Now if you know me you know I’m a huge Olivie Blake fan and I’m currently trying to get through her whole backlist because she’s my favorite author, and while this book was still really well written, the premise was really interesting, and I’d still recommend it to everyone I didn’t love it. Simply because one major plot point that happens in this book made me so mad and frustrated and nothing could seem to make up for that fact. I saw it coming too, Olivie does a great job at spreading clues throughout the book to lead up to it, but I still didn’t like it. In fact, I physically wanted to throw this book at a wall because it made that angry. Now maybe that’s a good thing because it got me that emotionally invested?? I don’t know. Maybe you will actually enjoy the plot point more than I did and you won’t be mad at all who knows! But being that angry really decreased my enjoyment of this one :(
I did love the sisterhood aspect of this book though and the message that it sends about that (in both the sorority sense and more importantly between sisters). That made me really happy ❤️ Also Ariadne I love you.
Go read Masters of Death, Atlas Six, and Alone With You in the Ether though all 5 stars!! And La Petite Mort if you want short but fun vampires/Monsters in New Orleans vibes!! Stan Olivie always!!!
Now if you know me you know I’m a huge Olivie Blake fan and I’m currently trying to get through her whole backlist because she’s my favorite author, and while this book was still really well written, the premise was really interesting, and I’d still recommend it to everyone I didn’t love it. Simply because one major plot point that happens in this book made me so mad and frustrated and nothing could seem to make up for that fact. I saw it coming too, Olivie does a great job at spreading clues throughout the book to lead up to it, but I still didn’t like it. In fact, I physically wanted to throw this book at a wall because it made that angry. Now maybe that’s a good thing because it got me that emotionally invested?? I don’t know. Maybe you will actually enjoy the plot point more than I did and you won’t be mad at all who knows! But being that angry really decreased my enjoyment of this one :(
I did love the sisterhood aspect of this book though and the message that it sends about that (in both the sorority sense and more importantly between sisters). That made me really happy ❤️ Also Ariadne I love you.
Go read Masters of Death, Atlas Six, and Alone With You in the Ether though all 5 stars!! And La Petite Mort if you want short but fun vampires/Monsters in New Orleans vibes!! Stan Olivie always!!!
July 26, 2022
I loved it!
How can you not love a book about witches that starts off with a cocktail recipe called “Death in the Afternoon” (which I am totally going to try one day.
I liked a lot about this book. I loved the romance and the fact the villain was a woman and that it was so smart and written very nearly perfectly.
It did dawdle a little before the half way mark (as a book usually does when it’s gearing up for its climax). I also wish that it had some smut (personal preference). But mainly I just wished it was longer because it was so good and the ending made me so happy. (I swear HEA are like popping Molly- instantaneous serotonin to the brain).
If you are a fan of this authors and fairytales and witches and just things that are good, then I say pick this up!
How can you not love a book about witches that starts off with a cocktail recipe called “Death in the Afternoon” (which I am totally going to try one day.
I liked a lot about this book. I loved the romance and the fact the villain was a woman and that it was so smart and written very nearly perfectly.
It did dawdle a little before the half way mark (as a book usually does when it’s gearing up for its climax). I also wish that it had some smut (personal preference). But mainly I just wished it was longer because it was so good and the ending made me so happy. (I swear HEA are like popping Molly- instantaneous serotonin to the brain).
If you are a fan of this authors and fairytales and witches and just things that are good, then I say pick this up!
February 15, 2023
Format-Physical
Perfection as always. This author is my favorite for a reason and this book just further cements that. I loved how this was such a different type of witchy story. The way the sisters’ both has their own stories that slowly tied in together was really fun. And of course the writing was gorgeous.
I need to make the drink in this book but it seems a little intimidating 😂 Maybe one day.
Perfection as always. This author is my favorite for a reason and this book just further cements that. I loved how this was such a different type of witchy story. The way the sisters’ both has their own stories that slowly tied in together was really fun. And of course the writing was gorgeous.
I need to make the drink in this book but it seems a little intimidating 😂 Maybe one day.
November 14, 2018
4.5 stars...a little witchcraft in itself. Twin sisters, a Duke, a sorority, a reluctant witchhunter and a whole host of interesting characters fill the pages of this reflection on sisterhood and power. What a fun, engaging read.
November 15, 2018
Another excellent story by Olivie Blake!
I loved it! If you're looking for a story with good writing, dialogues that make you chuckle (even while the plot gives you heart palpitations), and excellent female representation then definitely give this a go.
I loved it! If you're looking for a story with good writing, dialogues that make you chuckle (even while the plot gives you heart palpitations), and excellent female representation then definitely give this a go.
May 28, 2019
Olivie is always a joy.
January 4, 2022
#JUSTICEFORARIADNE ☹️
January 11, 2022
YESSS okay i really enjoyed this book lvoe aurora and the whole thing it was good and ariadne
May 1, 2022
Got bored with 20% left.
December 31, 2023
olivie blake never disappoints <3
January 1, 2021
It’s 2:30 am and I had to finish this.
Justice for Ariadne Locke.
Can that be it. That’s my whole review.
Justice for Ariadne Freaking Locke full stop. The end.
Justice for Ariadne Locke.
Can that be it. That’s my whole review.
Justice for Ariadne Freaking Locke full stop. The end.
November 20, 2019
THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!! It has everything you could possible want. Betrayal, Mystery, Heartbreak, Love, Family, Adventure, SISTERHOOD AND MAGIC!! Olivie Blake does it again! Her plots are so original, unguessable. Absolutely loved!
August 27, 2021
Ariadne is such a good character
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews