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azrah786's review against another edition
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.
**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
--
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Confinement, Death, Blood, Alcoholism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Misogyny, and Grief
uranaishi's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Violence, Alcohol, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Minor: Deportation, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Chronic illness, Classism, Cancer, Death of parent, Drug use, and Racism
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