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A review by rusereviews
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
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
4.0
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake is a dark academia sci-fantasy and the second book in the Atlas series. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at eighteen and a half hours and is narrated by a full cast. This version also contains the short story prequel to the series, "Sacred Hospitality," at the end of the audiobook.
Six mages were invited to a prestigious magical society though only five remain at the Archives. A rival society is gaining in power. What will they do with all of the knowledge contained in the Archives? Will they preserve the current world order, or burn it down and rebuild?
This book felt like it had a lot less of the academia that permeated the first book. Is it still dark academia if the academics aren't the focus? This book follows their second year in the Alexandrian Society and they're mostly focused on their individual research projects. They'll theorize together every so often, so I guess the academia is still alive.
It also starts a little slow but once we got about a quarter in I was hooked. I listened to the back 65% in one day.
This story is yet again mostly character-driven. So if you like these characters, you will probably enjoy following them through another book. Libby especially has growth here, in dealing with the scenario she was left in at the end of book one. However, some of the choices she makes here won't really have impact until book three it seems. I'm very excited to see what she does and how she reacts to things in the next book.
We gain additional POV characters as well in Gideon, Ezra, and a few others. We get a lot more Gideon in general in this installment. I was glad to learn more about our favorite cinnamon roll dream walker. This also includes more Nico/Gideon time which always warms my heart.
I need the next book to see what my fav dumpster fire mages do next.
Tropes in this book include: time travel
CW: violence, death, alcohol abuse, depression
The publisher provided a audio galley of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
Six mages were invited to a prestigious magical society though only five remain at the Archives. A rival society is gaining in power. What will they do with all of the knowledge contained in the Archives? Will they preserve the current world order, or burn it down and rebuild?
This book felt like it had a lot less of the academia that permeated the first book. Is it still dark academia if the academics aren't the focus? This book follows their second year in the Alexandrian Society and they're mostly focused on their individual research projects. They'll theorize together every so often, so I guess the academia is still alive.
It also starts a little slow but once we got about a quarter in I was hooked. I listened to the back 65% in one day.
This story is yet again mostly character-driven. So if you like these characters, you will probably enjoy following them through another book. Libby especially has growth here, in dealing with the scenario she was left in at the end of book one. However, some of the choices she makes here won't really have impact until book three it seems. I'm very excited to see what she does and how she reacts to things in the next book.
We gain additional POV characters as well in Gideon, Ezra, and a few others. We get a lot more Gideon in general in this installment. I was glad to learn more about our favorite cinnamon roll dream walker. This also includes more Nico/Gideon time which always warms my heart.
I need the next book to see what my fav dumpster fire mages do next.
Tropes in this book include: time travel
CW: violence, death, alcohol abuse, depression
The publisher provided a audio galley of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Alcoholism