Author: Olivie Blake | Title: The Atlas Paradox (The Atlas #2) | Genre: Fantasy | Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: October 25, 2022 | Hardcover: 400 pages
Six magicians. Two rivalries. One researcher. And a man who can walk through dreams. All must pick a side: do they wish to preserve the world—or destroy it? In this electric sequel to the viral sensation, The Atlas Six, the society of Alexandrians is revealed for what it is: a secret society with raw, world-changing power, headed by a man whose plans to change life as we know it are already under way. But the cost of knowledge is steep, and as the price of power demands each character choose a side, which alliances will hold and which will see their enmity deepen?”
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This book picks up almost immediately where The Atlas Six ended: Libby has been kidnapped and the question is not just of where she is, but when. The remaining members of the initiate class, whilst they realise this disappearance has saved one of them from being murdered, feel that a part of them has been unfairly taken (in varying degrees), afterall Libby was not supposed to be the sacrifice of this class.
The Atlas Paradox very much excels in developing characters individually as well as their relationships with one another. It also delves further into the struggles and mental impact of a group of young adults, acknowledged amongst the most powerful medians on the planet, who a year ago didn’t know if or when they’d be killed before their first year was done. Naturally this lack of trust in the group has grown given the mysterious disappearance of their fellow initiate, and even more so after their strange initiation “ceremony”. Combined with their various research topics, which they are now left alone to pursue individually, this leads to some interesting belief developments as well as unexpected pseudo-alliances.
I did also like that some of the background characters of book 1: Reina, Gideon, and Callum had more page time, although Callum more out of interest because he’s quite the character. Gideon and Nico are such a great combination!
The pacing of this book can get slow at times; compared to book 1’s “one of you will die” storyline, the purpose of the story is less clear, and many of the POVs take their time revealing plot details. Whilst it could potentially mean the reader feels more connected with the protagonists – discovering more about the society and its rivals in “real time” – it can also be a little frustrating as the pace drags. It does however build up to a rather spectacular ending as the pieces fall into place, it just takes some time for the two storylines to connect. For much of the book the five initiates that are left in the present day spend a lot of time concerning themselves with their own personal issues, understandable, but it does mean that Libby’s POV and her struggle to figure out how to return to her own time is the most interesting narrative for most of The Atlas Paradox.
I am intrigued to see where this series goes; as the initiates have a less restricted access to the library and its resources, the reader is let in on some secrets about the society and its past, and it certainly makes for an interesting subplot for the first 70% of the book. It’s around then that The Atlas Paradox finally finds its momentum: storylines start to come together and Libby finally makes ground on her quest to getting back home. It’s rewarding when it does all start falling into place but it does take some time to get there.
Overall I’m awarding this book 5.5/10. The pacing is the main issue I have with this book, and whilst the insight into the character’s heads is interesting and in some cases (Reina and Tristan) quite heartbreaking, I felt like for the first 60-70% of the book this was too much of a focus. This may be something that a reader into more philosophical readers may enjoy but it personally wasn’t my style. I loved the ending and I’m glad I stuck with it, so I’ll definitely be continuing with the series, I just hope book #3 doesn’t take quite so long to find its feet. I’d probably recommend this to dark academia lovers who love a few morally grey characters, and like taking time to explore a character’s deepest feelings.
[I was sent an Advance Reading Copy of The Atlas Paradox in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions in this post are entirely my own. Thank you Tor and Black Crow PR for the review copy.]
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