Reviews tagging 'Dementia'

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

9 reviews

bessadams's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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

3.5


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bookedandbusy's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

4.0

I enjoyed this one, but the last 77 pages felt very drawn out to me, it felt like it could’ve been wrapped up much sooner, but, I did like the ending! And the first half and middle of the book were great too, it was just the drawn out dialogue to the end that got me. 

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aliyachaudhry's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

"I'm actually an elite member of a secret society"

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takarakei's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

I finished this a few days ago and haven't stopped thinking about it.

This series is so hard to form coherent thoughts around because it really is so unique and unlike anything else I've read. To quote Ms Olivie Blake herself: "The relationships will be the plot, because relationships are all that matter. They're all we can ever take with us. They're the only real things we leave behind."

I've seen some mixed reviews of this book and I truly don't know what people were expecting having read the first two books? The characters are the focus. Their relationship dynamics are what makes this series interesting. The point of this book is to make you think about our existence. It's a rumination on the meaning of life. Do our choices matter? Is it all worth it?

Does that mean that this series it not for everyone? Absolutely! But I for one actually look forward to rereading this series for the rest of my life!

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celery's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0


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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-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

Despite the mixed reviews I actually really enjoyed this pacey, emotional rollercoaster of a read—which sees the stakes get even higher for all six of our protagonists.

And if (like me) you loved how deliciously complex and character driven the previous instalments were, then this is definitely worth picking up. 

Our depth-filled cast of morally grey characters were just as complicated (and willing to lie, cheat or commit murder) as ever before. And the emotions conveyed in their strained and rocky relationships has quickly become one of my fave aspects of the entire series— which (unsurprisingly) managed to once again keep me on the edge of my seat. 

But I do admit that, by the end I did feel like I’d been through the emotional wringer along with our MCs, and have needed some time to truly digest everything that happened before I could write this review. 

With gloriously underhanded, Machiavelli- level plots and an opening that sees most of our characters on different continents (before eventually converging) there was literally never a dull moment. However, I do think that the pacing was a little too quick at times, which meant some of the important scenes didn’t resonate quite as much as I wanted and, as such, lost a little of that delicious, Dark Academia-esque essence that first drew me in. 

That being said, I loved the buddy-comedy style dynamics that developed between Callum and Reina, and liked getting to know more about Parisa’s past and private life. But my heart is still trying to come to terms with THAT shocking turn of events. I can’t say anymore without spoilers so I’ll just say, keep some tissues handy—you’re gonna need them! 

I’m also still impressed with Olivie Blake’s ability to weave a tale about six slightly unhinged, magic nerds and their dysfunctional relationships, into an intricate and timeless allegory on humanity’s innate (and perpetual) quest for power, and the corruption that ultimately arises from trying gain it. 

Given the world’s current political climate; the ending, though angsty and heartbreakingly bittersweet, did feel like the perfect way to conclude this jaw-droppingly plot twisty series. Just don’t go into this expecting a happy outcome for everyone. 

Also, a huge thanks to Black Crow PR and Tor/ Pan MacMillan for the finished copy. 

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writerres27's review against another edition

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

4.5

4.5 stars overall. This book, and this series as a whole, was an emotional and philosophical rollercoaster. Above all else, I very much respect and appreciate Olivie Blake's ability to raise extremely contradictory yet equally valid feelings and convictions about society, existence, and human nature. I've identified heavily with many of the characters and their various imperfections and convictions across the entire series, and I found this conclusion to be an almost perfect conclusion for each of them. Perfect in the sense that it's *correct* and realistic, not necessarily that it's what we all hoped and dreamed for the characters. Also, as an aside, I recommend reading the acknowledgements if you've followed the series. It's a nice contextualization of why certain choices were made. Specifics (and spoilers) below!!!

Plot:
This is where the 4.5 fails to reach a full 5 stars. As is the risk of writing a story with many POVs, there are certainly circular, repetitive parts of the plot. This can make it confusing to follow the story's timeline and made the pacing inconsistent, though I'm sure that is somewhat intentional given the commentary the book makes about time. I just ultimately felt that, while I was in general agreement with the various plot decisions Blake made, because they felt accurate and authentic to the story, some of them weren't necessarily satisfying. I would also say that the numerous, intertwined conflicts occurring throughout the series and, specifically, this book, was also a challenge. Not an unwelcome one, as I feel they were all sufficiently explored and concluded, but it was definitely a lot going on that some readers may not do as well with as others.

Characters and Relationships:
This. This is where the bulk of the story falls. Every important character, as well as every important dynamic between characters, is dealt with one way or another. There are no loose ends, not really anyway, and the only characters whose storylines are left open are done so in a way that still gives the reader sufficient closure. At the end of the day, Blake achieves the goal of humanizing all of the characters, both for their humanity and their lack thereof. They are flawed, they are relatable, and they are real. To take such divisive and controversial characters and find a way to place them all, more or less, on equal footing by the end is a difficult thing to accomplish. Yet here we are. Normally I don't get into the nitty gritty in reviews, but I will give commentary on each of the main characters/relationships I appreciated in this story:
-Callum: The closest to understanding and redemption you could possibly get with this type of character. His ending is perfect, I can't imagine it ending any other way for him. If you'd told me at the beginning of the series that I'd be slightly misty eyed at Callum's death, I would've laughed. But Blake achieves the very difficult feat of using Callum to demonstrate that good and bad are subjective, that good people can do bad things and bad people can do good things, and that who you are and what you stand for can change and evolve from moment to moment. Callum grew on me in a way I could not have ever guessed.
-Parisa: The identity crisis we've all been waiting for. All I've wanted for Parisa all series is a sliver of authenticity, vulnerability, and humanness. We finally get it. To watch Parisa rise and fall throughout this book was affirming, to be quite honest. To watch her lose her poise, to crumple, and to still inevitably persist was validating.
-Reina: To accept the role she pushed so hard against for so long. A painful yet beautiful evolution. And for her to be able to shed her stubbornness, accept help, and embrace what is meant for her by the end was very fulfilling. Maybe it's just because she reminds me of a younger version of myself, but Reina's path was one of the hardest and, ultimately, most satisfying to follow.
-Tristan: Shockingly, I have the least to say about him. I hope (in the universe where the story continues) he gets satisfaction from the changes he's made, the things he's discovered, and the life he's able to lead now.
-Libby: Probably the most divisive character. As a reader who was frustrated by her continuously, but always ultimately understanding of her, I felt satisfied with this as the only logical ending for her. Some things, ultimately, never change, even if the entire world around us does.
-Nico: I cried. So very much. I saw so much of myself in Nico over the course of these books, especially this one. He is relatable, precioso, and deserving of goodness in a way the other characters aren't. Which is, of course, why he had to be the one to die. Despite having an itching feeling that this may happen, I was still shocked when the time finally came. Especially after all that was said between him and Libby the night before, which was perhaps one of the most *real* scenes I've ever read, it was so hard to accept and yet so prophetic.

Complex characters with even more complex relationships. I felt a strong satisfaction simultaneous with a deep ache to see their stories end how they did. As a series based on rage, pain, existential questions and no real answers, I knew I would have conflicting feelings when the end finally came. I'm just relieved none of these feelings were disappointment. I don't think the end could have gone any other way, and I feel Blake probably knew that from the beginning. I think she did a lovely job. I'm very happy to have read this series and look forward to a day down the road where I can read it again with fresh eyes and a different state of mind.

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risemini's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-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? No

4.25


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blakeandbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

I have absolutely loved this series. Olivie Blake’s writing is nothing short of art with meticulous details and information at every turn. Every character is their own complete person, a universe in themselves. I could honestly read about each of them in their own separate books. After the end of TAP, I was wondering what would happen to all of the characters and how Blake would finish out the series. The audiobooks are works of art, so I highly recommend listening to them.

As for the final installment, I left feeling a bit disappointed. I felt like so much happened and yet nothing at all? I don’t really know if I can put it into words, but this book was just “okay” compared to the other two.

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