Reviews tagging 'Blood'

The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake

19 reviews

boglord's review against another edition

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

3.25


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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

It's difficult for me to know where to begin when it comes to this book.

There is so much that took place over the course of 400 pages and to be honest, it's a bit overwhelming. While I struggled a little bit with getting through The Atlas Six due to the slower pacing and the somewhat confusing narrative, I really struggled through this sequel. Not because I wasn't enjoying it (I enjoyed it thoroughly), but because the pacing felt even slower and the plot felt even more confusing.

Normally, I don't feel like an unintelligent human, but these books make me feel like I'm back in high school, attempting to learn a new subject I know nothing about. They're filled with such intelligent and creative writing that my brain breaks a little bit while reading.

That being said, I did really love the story. Since Libby is my favorite character, I really enjoyed how she was such a huge part of the plot. I personally felt as though she was a massive part of the plot in the first book, but it was elevated in this sequel. She was so necessary for the plot to actually take place the way it did.

This installment definitely felt heavy on the character development versus the world-building. It gave us an insider perspective on what was happening in everyones' heads (mostly thanks to Parisa). I'm honestly just fascinated by the way each of these characters operates. They're so dysfunctional and chaotic and yet somehow such geniuses. It's mindblowing.

Mostly, I just look forward to finding out what happens next. These books leave me on the edge of my seat.

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lilifane's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective tense slow-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

At around 50% of the book, I realized that 1. Nothing was happening, 2. More and more questions were coming up, and 3. No questions were answered at all. So I wondered where the story was actually going and how it would be wrapped up in 200 pages. When a new cool topic was introduced quite late in the second half of the book, I was confused because there clearly wasn't enough time to explore it and actually wrap the story up. At 85% it dawned on me that this probably wasn't a duology as I had expected. -_-

Sigh. I was looking forward to this book because I had enjoyed the first one despite the story being so vague. But at least the characters were interesting and most of them fun to be in the head of. And I was curious about the library and what this whole plot was all about. 
So imagine my disappointment when I didn't get answers at all, but even more questions. Plus, the characters were more annoying than before. Don't get me wrong, the ones I loved, I loved with all my heart. But I didn't care for the rest. In the first book, I at least found them intriguing or hated them. But this time I didn't feel anything for the majority of them. And I missed the fun banter from book one.
Plus, despite spending 2 full books in the heads of these characters, their actions are not very understandable to me. Lashing out for no reason at all, every single one of them. I don't understand the motivations of like 80% of the characters. 
The biggest weakness is the absence of a plot, though. There were several strands of plot that lead nowhere, which was frustrating because why even write it when you drop it and never pick it up again? And that one story line that actually felt like the center of the book... ended very abruptly. I was so intrigued by the paradox, and I was hoping to explore it more. But nope, things just happened off page and then the book was over. Literally. 
Despite the weaknesses I  still enjoyed the reading experience for some weird reason, the audiobook was fun to listen to and there were things that kept me going till the very end. I mean, the last page was definitely worth it for me. I just feel we could have gotten there much, much quicker. 

Yes, I will read the third book. Maybe there was a reason for all the unnecessary stuff in this book after all, who knows. 

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gabbadabbadoo's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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soniajoy98's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0


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queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Ultimately not impressed. I just finished 10 minutes ago and feel extremely disappointed. The first book left off with big implications for the second, but it feels like nothing really happened. There was too much internal monologue, too much 'miscommunication' trope, and too much emphasis on POVs that ultimately weren't necessary or interesting. The character alliances in the first book were thrown out on a flimsy plot point just to further the miscommunication between the group, which is the only fuel for plot progression. All of this I could have let pass (solely because I love the characters) if I felt it led to a pay-off, which it didn't.
The narrative of Tristan-Nico-Libby focuses on trying to get Libby back. It is Tristan's singular motivator of the book. And Nico's torment over her absence is obvious but his focus on Gideon helps his character progress. We get a glimpse of Libby and Tristan reuniting in Scotland. But in the end there's no climactic reunion between Libby and Tristan OR Libby and Nico. This was their entire plotline of the book and it was left open-ended. And not like a cliff-hanger, but in a way that I feel there was no climax at all. Part of this, again, is time spent on relationships which prove fruitless, like Belen-Libby, Ezra-Atlas. These POVs are not our main characters, and its just time spent away. There's too many characters and plotlines to juggle, and they are disproportionately balanced.
For me, what started out as a story with intriguing morally-grey characters, suspense and intrigue, eventually turned out to just be tedious and disappointing. Might read the next book for the reunion scenes mentioned in the spoilers. Might just Google it. And maybe I just forget. 

Edit 5 minutes after finishing the review: I just read my review of the first book and forgot to mention the increased amount of pseudointellectual bullshit in the internal monlogues. Way too much freshman 101 class theories and not enough character interaction to make up for the increased use of the miscommunication trope to keep the plot going. Honestly I had high hopes for this book...

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azrah786's review against another edition

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4.25

 [This review can also be found on my BLOG]

**I was provided with an ARC of the book by TorUK & Black Crow PR for a blog tour in exchange for an honest review**

CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, suicidal thoughts, death, alcoholism, drug use, depression, kidnapping/confinement, toxic relationship, grief, emotional abuse, fire, sexism/misogyny, sexual content
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The Atlas Paradox is a sequel that is just as mind bending and absorbing as its predecessor. Be ready for lots more intrigue and scheming and a brilliant expansion on the powerful character study that was the basis of The Atlas Six.
We get to further familiarise ourselves with the individual characters and the way they think, as well as explore their understanding of one another in the aftermath of the events that concluded the first book.

"A person was only ever himself. So much of what they became, who they were, was inseverable, irreversible. If to others that meant irredeemable, then so be it.


The competitive atmosphere that was heavily present in the first year is tamed down a little as the second year sees the initiates go about independent study however, there is still a dominant air of tension arcing across the multiple plotlines that the story is split into.

The rivalries are still very much present between the characters as is the element of mystery surrounding the Alexandrian Society and its well-guarded secrets that the characters are trying to unmask. Add to that the threat from the Society's enemies as well as Libby’s situation and this book is jam packed full of a thrilling set of affairs that are all beautifully encapsulated by Blake’s elaborate and eloquent prose.

This series really stresses the academia part of dark academia with how the narrative is full of such highly intellectual conversations and introspection that as expected, you’ll only half understand. We get a more meticulous exploration of some of the characters powers alongside compelling twists and reveals that are slowly putting all the pieces into place for the endgame.

"A chink in the armour, Parisa thought. Funny how those things could undo you little by little over time. All it took was a tiny fracture to destroy an entire foundation."


The multi point of view was once again balanced extremely well if not better since there were a few more perspectives to read from in this sequel. I absolutely loved that we got to see more from Reina and also Gideon, two characters who weren’t in the limelight as much previously. I did have a minor issue with the chronology in some of the chapters though since there were times when the story would double back on itself when events went forward in one chapter and then were returned to from a different perspective quite later on. It was a little bit jarring.

Furthermore, this sequel does have sort of a middle book syndrome feel to it but regardless of this I was never bored of being back in this world or with these characters that Blake has created. I loved being back with them all and their chaos and messiness.

"But perhaps it was all their mutually assured destruction that was making her so very annoyed with this current state of affairs, because it was not fun at all to exist without a rival."


As ever the character interactions are just so addictive to follow. For the most part our usual subjects were hardly ever all together in one room but we do see an interesting shift in dynamics and new alliances form. Nico and Tristan? Remarkable! Callum and Reina? Formidable! I did not know how much I needed to see these partnerships come to be!

Now the ending didn’t have as big of a shock factor as book 1 however, it sets up everything very nicely for the finale and I can’t wait to see how everything goes down!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars 

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uranaishi's review against another edition

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

4.0


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carigillette's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

4/5⭐️s

Wow what a trip. This was addicting, frustrating and magical.

I struggled with the rating. On one hand the multiple POVs slowed me down as a reader and sometimes lost my focus. 

BUT on the other hand I could not put it down. I would end each chapter with verbally saying out loud (everywhere I read this) WHATTT WHERE IS SHE GOING WITH THIS???

I could not predict each twist this book had. The ending leaves you grasping for more BEGGING FOR MORE.

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