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noahsmarine's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
phoenixdragon's review against another edition
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
2.5
Had so much potential, plot was alright, world was good, but the ending was so.... underwhelming? I understand its a trilogy so the author probably thought to leave something f9r the next book. But i think every book thats part of a series should still have the ability to stand alone.
erkysbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
nlg_id's review against another edition
1.75
I’m a bit disappointed by this book I think it’s overrated. Some parts were just uninteresting and found myself just skimming the pages. The characters were unlikeable. I liked the fighting scene but that was the one and only cool scene with the rest of the book just being a boring show and tell. Everything had to be told and not left to the imagination. The reveal at the end was pretty good and something I didn’t see coming but that was it. I’m probably not going to finish off the test of the books
nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
3.0
I feel disappointed by this book. I think I should have read it earlier when I was more interested in the dark academia vibe. Although Olivie's ideas and writing style are interesting, there's always something missing in her plots and characters that prevents them from being truly wonderful. I cannot quite pinpoint what it is, and it seems that the author is also struggling to find it.
I had previously read Olivie's Dramione fanfiction, "Paradox," which dealt with the similar themes of time and parallel universes. Although the plot had some holes, the ideas worked well because the characters were already familiar and important to the readers. In contrast, the characters in "The Atlas Six" are so unlikeable, and the dialogues and banter are disappointing. While I appreciate morally gray characters, these characters feel shallow and borderline evil, and you do not feel any connection or relation to them. There was nothing to root for. There is no strong relationship, friendship, or a found family to reward the reader, except maybe for Niko and Gideon. Everyone mistrusts each other until the end, and the plot is very weak. Although I enjoyed the tension between Parisa and Dalton and the rivalry between Nico and Libby, I have glimpsed the spoiler for the last book of the series, and I just do not see the point of continuing with the next book.
I had wanted to read all of Olivie Blake's works, but this book was a waste of potential. What seemed to be a character-driven plot was not delivered as the character lacked some essence, and the change of POVs made it difficult to enjoy the story. Most of the characters were so insufferable, that I found myself suffering through their POVs to get to the one that interested me the most.
This year, I will not waste my time on books that do not bring me joy just to tick all the boxes. So this is a "no" from me with this series. I still feel respect for Olivie and her ideas, and I wish her to finally find that integral missing part to her writing and probably stick to standalones? Preferably not in a New York setting?
I had previously read Olivie's Dramione fanfiction, "Paradox," which dealt with the similar themes of time and parallel universes. Although the plot had some holes, the ideas worked well because the characters were already familiar and important to the readers. In contrast, the characters in "The Atlas Six" are so unlikeable, and the dialogues and banter are disappointing. While I appreciate morally gray characters, these characters feel shallow and borderline evil, and you do not feel any connection or relation to them. There was nothing to root for. There is no strong relationship, friendship, or a found family to reward the reader, except maybe for Niko and Gideon. Everyone mistrusts each other until the end, and the plot is very weak. Although I enjoyed the tension between Parisa and Dalton and the rivalry between Nico and Libby, I have glimpsed the spoiler for the last book of the series, and I just do not see the point of continuing with the next book.
I had wanted to read all of Olivie Blake's works, but this book was a waste of potential. What seemed to be a character-driven plot was not delivered as the character lacked some essence, and the change of POVs made it difficult to enjoy the story. Most of the characters were so insufferable, that I found myself suffering through their POVs to get to the one that interested me the most.
This year, I will not waste my time on books that do not bring me joy just to tick all the boxes. So this is a "no" from me with this series. I still feel respect for Olivie and her ideas, and I wish her to finally find that integral missing part to her writing and probably stick to standalones? Preferably not in a New York setting?
maysshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Hi everyone!
I was on the fence with this book, cause people seems to either liked it or hated it.
In my case I enjoy the reading experience, but I’ll be honest: if you are not familiar with quantum theory, string theory, space bend, black holes and time as a dimension, as well as astral projection you will be lost and you’ll get bored really fast (most likely DNF the book) cause the book is based on those concepts (or at least our characters powers) but the author doesn’t stop to explain the different theories in details, so either you knew the concepts and you love how cleaver it sounds, or you don’t understand a single word or the meaning behind it.
On another hand I do want to read the sequel to this book, to know how everything ends; but wasn’t a fan of the “big plot” in the end. Is like you never saw that coming, but it was because there was not “building up” towards that point, like you cannot focus a book on 7 characters and out of no where make the story about other 2 characters that were not the focal point (or at least it didn’t work for me). If the last 25% of the book, was settled as the first 25% it will be more powerful and sensical from my perspective.
I was on the fence with this book, cause people seems to either liked it or hated it.
In my case I enjoy the reading experience, but I’ll be honest: if you are not familiar with quantum theory, string theory, space bend, black holes and time as a dimension, as well as astral projection you will be lost and you’ll get bored really fast (most likely DNF the book) cause the book is based on those concepts (or at least our characters powers) but the author doesn’t stop to explain the different theories in details, so either you knew the concepts and you love how cleaver it sounds, or you don’t understand a single word or the meaning behind it.
On another hand I do want to read the sequel to this book, to know how everything ends; but wasn’t a fan of the “big plot” in the end. Is like you never saw that coming, but it was because there was not “building up” towards that point, like you cannot focus a book on 7 characters and out of no where make the story about other 2 characters that were not the focal point (or at least it didn’t work for me). If the last 25% of the book, was settled as the first 25% it will be more powerful and sensical from my perspective.
wolfmouse's review against another edition
2.0
DNF at 31%.
Wow, what a disappointment. The first few chapters had me really excited about this book. Five hours into the audiobook, I was exhausted by it and had no interest in trudging onward to see if things got better.
This book is all telling, no showing, with zero reprieve in the most literal sense. It’s seemingly pure dialogue, if you can call it that. Meaningless banter between characters that barely progresses the plot. Honestly, what plot? A third into the book and I have no real sense of what the Alexandrian Society is, what any of the characters hope to accomplish, or a grounded, definable setting. They might as well be endlessly bickering from within a void.
Also, murder is okay? A quarter of the way through the archives are invaded and Nico and Reina single-handedly dispatch and kill a bunch of intruders, and it’s…not a big deal? Or really talked about at all? Is this a universe where twenty-two-year-olds encounter violence and death to the extent that such carnage warrants no reaction? Tristan is the only one who seems remotely out of sorts in this situation and even that was like, eh.
Ugh. Whatever. This was a waste of time, but I can at least strike this from my queue forevermore.
Wow, what a disappointment. The first few chapters had me really excited about this book. Five hours into the audiobook, I was exhausted by it and had no interest in trudging onward to see if things got better.
This book is all telling, no showing, with zero reprieve in the most literal sense. It’s seemingly pure dialogue, if you can call it that. Meaningless banter between characters that barely progresses the plot. Honestly, what plot? A third into the book and I have no real sense of what the Alexandrian Society is, what any of the characters hope to accomplish, or a grounded, definable setting. They might as well be endlessly bickering from within a void.
Also, murder is okay? A quarter of the way through the archives are invaded and Nico and Reina single-handedly dispatch and kill a bunch of intruders, and it’s…not a big deal? Or really talked about at all? Is this a universe where twenty-two-year-olds encounter violence and death to the extent that such carnage warrants no reaction? Tristan is the only one who seems remotely out of sorts in this situation and even that was like, eh.
Ugh. Whatever. This was a waste of time, but I can at least strike this from my queue forevermore.
marlbetweenpages's review against another edition
4.0
Richtig gut. Ich mag die Charaktere super gerne aber manches ist verwirrend und manches zu vorhersehbar. Ich glaube ich habe vieles an dem Magiesystem nicht wirklich gut verstanden.
sm_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Alexandrian Society, caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity, are the foremost secret society of magical academicians in the world. Those who earn a place among the Alexandrians will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams, and each decade, only the six most uniquely talented magicians are selected to be considered for initiation.
The latest round of six: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, both physicalists. Reina Mori, a naturalist. Parisa Kamali, a telepath. Callum Nova, an empath. Tristan Caine, an illusionist.
When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they will have one year to qualify for initiation, during which time they will be permitted preliminary access to the Society’s archives and judged based on their contributions to various subjects of impossibility: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. The six potential initiates will fight to survive the next year of their lives, and if they can prove themselves to be the best among their rivals, most of them will.
Rating: 4/5
This book was geniuinely so incredibe and complex that iI can't even form any coherent thoughts on it. Let me make this clear: this book was amazing, mindblowing, and insane.
For some reason… both everything and nothing happened in this book. I feel like my mind was stretched and compressed repeatedly while reading, and if you asked me to explain what really happened in this book I would completely blank.
Basically it's an intriguing mixture of magical competition, six mysterious competitors, dark academia, books, and a ton of lies to unravel.
My one critique was how long this book seemed. Although it was only 330 pages, and I've read much longer books, the complexity of the plot made it seem much more drawn out.
My favorite part of this book was how character based it was. With revolving POVs from each character, the reader is offered insight into their thoughts and motivations- which is something I love in books.
I recommend this novel to lovers of mystery, magic, and dark academia book fans.
The latest round of six: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, both physicalists. Reina Mori, a naturalist. Parisa Kamali, a telepath. Callum Nova, an empath. Tristan Caine, an illusionist.
When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they will have one year to qualify for initiation, during which time they will be permitted preliminary access to the Society’s archives and judged based on their contributions to various subjects of impossibility: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. The six potential initiates will fight to survive the next year of their lives, and if they can prove themselves to be the best among their rivals, most of them will.
Rating: 4/5
This book was geniuinely so incredibe and complex that iI can't even form any coherent thoughts on it. Let me make this clear: this book was amazing, mindblowing, and insane.
For some reason… both everything and nothing happened in this book. I feel like my mind was stretched and compressed repeatedly while reading, and if you asked me to explain what really happened in this book I would completely blank.
Basically it's an intriguing mixture of magical competition, six mysterious competitors, dark academia, books, and a ton of lies to unravel.
My one critique was how long this book seemed. Although it was only 330 pages, and I've read much longer books, the complexity of the plot made it seem much more drawn out.
My favorite part of this book was how character based it was. With revolving POVs from each character, the reader is offered insight into their thoughts and motivations- which is something I love in books.
I recommend this novel to lovers of mystery, magic, and dark academia book fans.