A review by khaotixkaiya
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

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

3.75

I really enjoyed the concept of the book which colors my overall opinion of the book, and why I kept reading it.
I 100% agree with other reviews that the writing style is not my favorite, it was dry and somewhat self-important. It was a strange tandem of random information but much character information given to the reader. That also seems somewhat in-line with the plot of the book itself though? All of the characters are prodigies, geniuses or exceptional in some way.  And they all, to some degree, think highly of themselves and have blind spots. Whether with characters that seem to have a god complex or the few that are so self-deprecating it becomes self-centered and indulgent.
Spoilers incoming!
I was impressed with the growth of some characters, and the disclosure of others. From the beginning I found most of the characters, except for Reina, to be taxing. Libby is so anxious that she doesn't realize her potential (a gripe most of the cast also has with her). Nico is martyrs himself regularly, yet is constantly berating Libby for not realizing her worth to the group. Tristan is so emotionally repressed it's almost difficult to imagine how he made it where he had before meeting the Society, I'm honestly not sure how he's still standing with the levels of manipulation the other characters enact.

Which leads me to Callum, an "empath", and Parisa, a telepath. Callum is, as the author acknowledges, a walking time bomb. I don't generally take the time to diagnose characters, but Callum is chillingly and eerily detached, I truly believe he is sociopath. He has no qualms about manipulating others, whether through emotions or mental chess. For his own gain or entertainment? It's truly up to his moods, and when questioned says it's for multiple characters betterment. Callum's by far the most disturbing character in the book. And when he attempts to prostrate himself to prevent the other characters from outsing him? The internal motivation the reader is lead up to (again my personal interpretation as Blake doesn't tell the reader much) is still disturbing. I will 100% give it to Blake, this character is one of the most emotionally disturbing I've ever read. Parisa is also another disturbing character, though for much different reasons. While she also has no qualms about manipulating others, she is much more upfront about her... deadliness? She is an honest whore vs Callum is a lying bishop. Neither are good characters, but with one you know what you're getting. Although I didn't really like Parisa's personality and choices, I could almost always understand why she was doing them.
Personally, Reina is my favorite as she feels like the reader inputted into the story. She's an OP character, she just wants to read her books and enjoy the access given to her along with the peace it provides. She seems to be a reader, or author, insert and I enjoyed almost every part of the story she truly featured in.
 
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and have every intention to read the next.
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