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terminalthiccness's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
haddy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
Probably one of the most disappointing second books in a series I’ve read.
I feel like the end of the first book had been set up so well and nearly every plot point just fell flat.
The pacing was erratic and miscommunication (or just complete lack of communication altogether) between characters oftentimes was unrealistic and infuriating, and just all round too dramatic without anything actually happening?? Tiny petty conflicts were blown way out of proportion, relationships which were tentative at best were looked upon with insanely high regard and longing, and the absolute lack of drive and willingness to cooperate just left me feeling like so much was lacking in this book. In my first review of the first book I said I felt that all the characters were likeable. Now I feel like I can only stand one or two characters overall (looking at you and Nico and Gideon 🫶). But genuinely, who am I even supposed to route for at this point?? Is that the point itself??
That being said, Olivie Blake is still a great writer and that’s what got me through it. This, as well as the point that some characters still do mean a lot to me and I was still somehow intrigued about what was going on did save the rating slightly. I’m just sad about what was done with the plot.
At this point the only reason I might read the third book is because I have some morbid curiosity about how the storyline can get even worse.
I feel like the end of the first book had been set up so well and nearly every plot point just fell flat.
The pacing was erratic and miscommunication (or just complete lack of communication altogether) between characters oftentimes was unrealistic and infuriating, and just all round too dramatic without anything actually happening?? Tiny petty conflicts were blown way out of proportion, relationships which were tentative at best were looked upon with insanely high regard and longing, and the absolute lack of drive and willingness to cooperate just left me feeling like so much was lacking in this book. In my first review of the first book I said I felt that all the characters were likeable. Now I feel like I can only stand one or two characters overall (looking at you and Nico and Gideon 🫶). But genuinely, who am I even supposed to route for at this point?? Is that the point itself??
That being said, Olivie Blake is still a great writer and that’s what got me through it. This, as well as the point that some characters still do mean a lot to me and I was still somehow intrigued about what was going on did save the rating slightly. I’m just sad about what was done with the plot.
At this point the only reason I might read the third book is because I have some morbid curiosity about how the storyline can get even worse.
ionab46's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
0.5
mi040409's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.25
blackrein's review against another edition
4.0
While the beginning was a bit of a slog (the initiation ceremony? What the heck was that?). There wasn't a lot of building on the world or the magic as a whole. A lot of it was still vague and theoretical.
There was lots of character building, though, and i still immensely enjoyed loving and hating each character in turns. I would happily punch Callum, lol. Super happy Libby got her moment to shine towards the end
Nice amount of funny banter between characters to the point i was laughing out loud.
I listened to the audiobook and special shout out to the voice actors. Lots of enthusiasm and proper inflection of emotion throughout the whole thing.
There was lots of character building, though, and i still immensely enjoyed loving and hating each character in turns. I would happily punch Callum, lol. Super happy Libby got her moment to shine towards the end
Nice amount of funny banter between characters to the point i was laughing out loud.
I listened to the audiobook and special shout out to the voice actors. Lots of enthusiasm and proper inflection of emotion throughout the whole thing.
micardila's review against another edition
2.0
More of the stylistic and plotting things I didn't like from the first. Characters remained one-dimensional. What led me to read this second one was the Atlas big plan to change the world and Ezra wanting to stop that. This book didn't delve into any of that and was just focused on the whole Libby-missing-how-do-we-get-her-back plot line. Then people who weren't the Forum were trying to kill everyone?? Very confusing. Again, the close third POV chapters made the whole story feel disconnected and jumpy. It felt like chapters were missing. Anyway....didn't even finish the last few chapters because I got bored. After reading a summary and reviews of the Atlas Complex, I don't plan on continuing.
Loved the concept, but execution was reads like an academic who only got their plotting and character development ideas from reality TV and trite high-school movies.
Loved the concept, but execution was reads like an academic who only got their plotting and character development ideas from reality TV and trite high-school movies.
withyly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
alina_books's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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? Yes
2.75
ccpprrjj's review against another edition
dark
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
3.5
Well, I definitely liked this book more than the first one. I still didn't love it, but it didn't drag as badly as The Atlas Six did. Once more, the beginning of this book was the best. It was intense and action-packed and really explored the characters well in an interesting way. And then, once again, it stagnated. The characters didn't make many meaningful developments and I had a hard time of tracking the plot and who likes who (maybe because it's been about two years since I read the first book. . .). But I do enjoy (some of) the characters as they are and I have hopes for the relationships that they'll develop in book three.