📝 What is The Atlas Six about?:
Every decade, six uniquely talented magicians are chosen to join the prestigious Alexandrian Society, promising a life of unparalleled power and prestige. Each recruit, driven by their own motivations, must navigate perilous alliances and rivalries, knowing that betrayal and danger lurk at every turn. They are prepared to fight relentlessly for their place, even if it means not all of them will survive the year.
📚 Genre: fantasy
🎧 Format: E-bOOK
💞 Feels: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Loved getting to know all of the characters through their different POVs. Even though, there were a lot of perspectives I didn’t get overwhelmed. All of the characters were distinct from each other. They truly became real people to me, who were endearing, frustrating, annoying and quite scary. Following Libby, Nico, Tristan, Reina, Parisa and Callum through this trial was eye opening.
I liked the character study of all of these different personalities and how they clashed against each other. The one issue I have with the plot is not knowing Atlas or Ezra’s motivations. I’m not supposed to understand yet, since this is the first book in a series. It’s all a mystery and I definitely think I need to re-read this book and take notes…but maybe after I finish the series when I know where it’s going.
The plot was definitely secondary to me, I just liked reading about the hijinks they were causing in each other’s lives and the race to survive the trial. Those two elements seemed like enough of a hurdle to me; so Atlas and Ezra having some additional nonsense going on was not necessary in my opinion. But there has to be a larger game going on to make this into a series.
I didn’t think this would be my first Olivie Blake book. I’d seen a lot of gushing over Alone With You In the Ether, so I’d planned to read that book. But when the library book is finally available, you jump at the chance to fit it in your reading schedule. Also, I did not realize The Atlas Six was part of a series, bad research on my end ’cause I really did not need to start a new series.
Character development
The book beginning and ending with Libby, Nico and Ezra was a nice full circle. At the beginning we’re definitely in a love triangle/love-to-hate situation and somehow by the end the tables have turned and I don’t know who’s an ally and who’s a foe. All I know is I’m on Libby’s side; protect Libby!
I’ve heard that my allegiances to characters will change through the series; i.e. villains will grow on me and become heroes. I’m skeptical…seeing as I already like them all how they are. But what do I know; as my favorite podcasters (House of R) like to say, “I love a character on an arc!”
Getting technical
After reading some books this year with multiple perspectives I was afraid I’d grown tired of that writing structure. I really hated the multiple perspectives in House of Flame and Shadow and Children of Anguish and Anarchy. Yes, I’m still mad about those two books and how they both abused the use of excessive viewpoints.
I wanted to know what each one of the 7 (!!) characters who gave their perspective were thinking, feeling and experiencing within the story. How they related to each other and interpreted other’s actions revealed more of the story to me. When characters viewpoints switched, I was happy, because new POVs propelled the story forward. I knew we’d come back to the other characters eventually. I did wonder how many chapters Callum was allotted; because it felt intentional that he didn’t have many chapters from his POV. Callum was in many of Tristan’s chapters. Callum truly is an enigma.
You’ll like this book, if…
You’ll like this book, if you enjoy methodically plotted stories of character driven fantasy stories. The world building takes a backseat, and you’re okay with that…it’s more about vibes – dark academia vibes.
✅ Spinoff novella nomination:
A prequel of Atlas’ time as an initiate could be interesting.
What are you reading? Let me know in the comments.