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louisegraveyard's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Violence, Death, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
boglord's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Grief, and Blood
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, and Sexual content
lilifane's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Mental illness, and Violence
gabbadabbadoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Murder, and Blood
soniajoy98's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Death, Cursing, Alcoholism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Stalking, Child abuse, Gun violence, Antisemitism, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Confinement
queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition
- 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
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...
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
azrah786's review against another edition
4.25
**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
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
- 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
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
carigillette's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Mental illness