Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

28 reviews

amelianotthepilot's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

ugh this was so good i dont know what to say except i cant believe she did [REDACTED] dirty like that :(

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Murder, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death

lqvekanej's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence

Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts

stormeno's review

emotional mysterious 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Medical content, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Classism, Blood, Cancer, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

itsheyfay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Cancer, Cursing, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Police brutality, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

indusnm's review

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

Lots of thoughts on this. At some points I got incredibly confused and wasn't sure if my brain was just tired or I had forgotten things about the first book. But at the end of the day, Libby's arc made sense to me, and the last chapter and the author's note spoke to me. I'm not going to say I enjoyed reading this book, but I am glad I read it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Gun violence

aileron's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective 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

1.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Abandonment

takarakei's review

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!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gun violence

Moderate: Grief, Classism, Alcohol, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

Minor: Police brutality, Dementia, and Cancer

celery's review against another edition

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Dementia, Ableism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Racism, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Addiction, Classism, Gore, Infertility, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Stalking, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, War, Drug use, Grief, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Confinement, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, and Violence

kassidyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Mental illness

Minor: Cancer, Drug use, and Grief

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Murder, Cursing, and Sexual content

Minor: Confinement, Cancer, and Dementia