Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

104 reviews

allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

Academic rivals are a trope that I typically take only minor interest in. School was more often a collaborative than competitive affair for me, so it clashes with my experience, leaving me baffled at who has the energy for it. This book had me convinced within the first chapter. YES Libby, Nico is clearly the worst. Continue with your banter. Shoot to emotionally maim. Not only was I convinced, but I was having a great time. 

In fact, all six POVs quickly brought me under their thrall by eliciting strong reactions with their voices. I could give an itemized summary of how I feel about any of them and why because each character is so carefully formed and fills a specific role in the group. The sometimes vicious competition among them adds another layer, as I came to support certain alliances while wishing other liaisons a swift death for the threat they posed to themselves or others through their choices. I found myself irrevocably interested in all the characters' sharp edges, their darkest thoughts, their jangling worries at odds with their lofty ambitions. I admired the unexpected pathways the characters followed, the twisty growth to their relationships, and the queer (pan representation at minimum--most of the characters seem fairly fluid in terms of sexuality) and BIPOC representation (Black, Japanese, Persian, and Cuban protagonists). 

I did get stuck on a couple points. For one, my initial investment in the characters was a bit frayed by the end. This was partially due to choices made in the quest for power and partially related to the way the cast would fixate on each other's perceived weaknesses, amplifying them for the reader. A related concern is that I'm not sure there was a single relationship I wouldn't ultimately categorize as toxic and/or unbalanced. It's not glorified, which I appreciate, but I personally need at least one strong, supportive bond to hold onto in a story. It's what keeps me motivated and excited to come along for the darker bits. 

In terms of world-building, the magic system isn't necessarily revolutionary, but the periods of academic contemplation regarding different abilities and talents left me in the dust as a matter of both mental fortitude and attention span. I may be a science teacher, but honestly, ew physics. 

I liked that the story seems to be winding up for some intriguing commentary on power and institutions, on knowledge and ambition. Already, there were some fun asides and acute observations that I highlighted as fuel for my dark, cynical worldview that Tristan would surely appreciate. Dark academia fans will especially find a lot in these pages to live up to the hype. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism

leahrosiee's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ok I finally finished this with the audiobook. It is good, the ending surprised me and the sexy academia vibes were excellent. 
Full cast audiobook could really redeem any book for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Alcohol

aliyachaudhry's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Classism

sofiareadings's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

vonny3492's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

justagrlandherdog's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

doodeedoda's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing and Suicide attempt

Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

ajthequeen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Drug use

bookishnatalia's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship

nicole_m's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a good book. The theme was dark academia. Wonderful read for the fall. <Spoiler> I would have like for their to have been more action. For instance, at the end I was like that’s it, but in almost a good way

. Overall, nice book and I recommend to those who like what is stated above. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Outing, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

If the warnings above trigger you then i don’t recommend this book. If not give it a try if you like and enjoy!