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mhyland's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.75
This took me way too long to find motivation to read it, and the only reason I finally did was because the audiobook was created and made available. The audiobook didn't perfectly sync with this version of the book but overall it was close enough. I did buy this book initially but I don't think I'll keep it, probably will donate it to a local library or put it in a little free library.
I think the beginning was overall sort of slow and eventually picked up as things really started to happen. For me, there was a bit that could've been cut to make the story move along faster.
I like the characters a lot and generally like the premise. Probs one of my favorite dark academia books I've read so far (I've read a few and don't usually really like them that much with an exception or two). I will def continue the series because I'd like to know what happens to the characters. Honestly I don't think I would continue the series without audio assistance tho
I think the beginning was overall sort of slow and eventually picked up as things really started to happen. For me, there was a bit that could've been cut to make the story move along faster.
I like the characters a lot and generally like the premise. Probs one of my favorite dark academia books I've read so far (I've read a few and don't usually really like them that much with an exception or two). I will def continue the series because I'd like to know what happens to the characters. Honestly I don't think I would continue the series without audio assistance tho
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
cnannery19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
watsontheslytherin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Beautiful prose
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Chronic illness, Drug use, Blood, and Alcohol
rhogosch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow,
als ich das Buch gekauft habe, habe ich ja mit vielem gerechnet, aber ganz sicher nicht, dass sich das Ganze zu nem philosophischen Thriller Drama entwickelt (ja das Genre gibt es und zwar seit genau jetzt).
Die Fantasy ist dabei gar nicht im Fokus. Blake verwendet wenig Zeit auf Worldbuilding und versucht gar nicht erst die Mechanik ihres Magiesystems zu erklären. Und wieder erwartend stört es null. Von Anfang an treten die Figuren und ihre Charakterisierungen in den Vordergrund. Im ersten der acht Teile störte es mich noch richtig, dass vermeintlich massiv wichtige Gespräche und Szenen die eben zum Worldbuilding und Charaktereinführung beigetragen hätten einfach gescipt werden. Doch sobald ich mich von meinen Erwartungen gelöst hatte ein Fantasy Schwergewicht zu lesen, Boom unglaublich geniales Storytelling.
In diesem Buch geht es um die Fragestellung was unbegrenzte Macht mit den verschiedensten Persönlichkeiten macht. Wie ihr Ehrgeiz ihr, Streben, bzw. ihr „Hungern“ sie zersetzt und verändert. Würdest du morden um die Naturgesetze formen zu können, jeden Menschen wie ein Buch lesen und umschreiben zu können, um einfach allmächtig zu werden?
Eine Besonderheit spielt dabei Blakes Schreibstil. Wer braucht lineare Zeitachsen wenn man zeitlich zwischen den Kapiteln springen kann und dadurch eine Szene wieder und wieder in neuem Licht betrachten kann. Nur um einfach jedes Mal neue Facetten zu offenbaren und mich zu zwingen meine Meinung jedes Mal zu revidieren. Gedachtes, gefühltes und gesprochenes geht ineinander über. Das hat zur Folge das man wirklich mit den Figuren denkt. Ihr Handlungsmotive nachfühlt und die Szene quasi selbst erlebt. Das hat aber auch zu Folge gehabt das ich Seiten wirklich dreimal gelesen habe und jedes Mal anders verstanden habe. Was schlussendlich darin geendet ist, dass ich den „“ für wörtliche Rede einfach nicht mehr getraut habe.
Als Krönung verändert sich die Art des Textes immer zu den Figuren. Blake verschafft den nervösen Ticks von Libby sprachlichen Ausdruck, genauso wie ich Callums Passagen auch ohne die Überschrift identifizieren konnte, einfach an dem kalten rationalen Satzbau und Wortschatz. Ich würde so weit gehen zu sagen, dass wenige Sätze in diesem Buch zufällig gewählt worden sind.
Einziger Kritikpunkt: Leute bekommt mal eure Triebe unter Kontrolle! Also ernsthaft jetzt. Keine einzige Sexszene hat mich gestört, weil sie nicht einfach nur eine Beschreibung des Aktes waren. Sondern weil auch hier das offensichtliche in den Hintergrund getreten ist und dafür Charakterentwicklung betrieben wurde. Entscheidung wurden während diesen Szenen besiegelt, bzw. dem Leser zum ersten Mal erklärt wieso so gehandelt wurde. Aber letzten Endes war es mir dann doch ein zu großes Handlungsmotiv. Jeder hatte auf einmal ein verstecktes Verlangen, eine geheime Liebe, oder ein darauf bezogenes Trauma. Dabei hätte man noch so viel aus den Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Figuren rausholen können. ich mein ernsthaft jetzt Tristan wird erst als der Kerl charakterisiert, der sich nichts aus Liebe macht nur um dann nen paar One-Night Stands mit Parisa zu haben, woraufhin er ihr auf einmal Loyal aka „verfallen“ gegenüber wird. Um dann durch den Dreier, echte Gefühle für Libby zu entwickeln um, Plottwist, doch nen geheimen Crush auf Callum zu haben. Auch hier wird alles erklärt und ist nachvollziehbar, erscheint mir letztendlich doch etwas überhöht. Zumal einfach bis auf zwei Ausnahmen jede Figur so ein Liebes Fünfeck hatte.
Absolute Empfehlung. Dieses Buch sorgt für frischen Wind und Abwechslung. Gerade für so high Fantasy verwöhnte Menschen wie mich. Achso hab ich eigentlich schon den Cliffhänger am Ende erwähnt…
als ich das Buch gekauft habe, habe ich ja mit vielem gerechnet, aber ganz sicher nicht, dass sich das Ganze zu nem philosophischen Thriller Drama entwickelt (ja das Genre gibt es und zwar seit genau jetzt).
Die Fantasy ist dabei gar nicht im Fokus. Blake verwendet wenig Zeit auf Worldbuilding und versucht gar nicht erst die Mechanik ihres Magiesystems zu erklären. Und wieder erwartend stört es null. Von Anfang an treten die Figuren und ihre Charakterisierungen in den Vordergrund. Im ersten der acht Teile störte es mich noch richtig, dass vermeintlich massiv wichtige Gespräche und Szenen die eben zum Worldbuilding und Charaktereinführung beigetragen hätten einfach gescipt werden. Doch sobald ich mich von meinen Erwartungen gelöst hatte ein Fantasy Schwergewicht zu lesen, Boom unglaublich geniales Storytelling.
In diesem Buch geht es um die Fragestellung was unbegrenzte Macht mit den verschiedensten Persönlichkeiten macht. Wie ihr Ehrgeiz ihr, Streben, bzw. ihr „Hungern“ sie zersetzt und verändert. Würdest du morden um die Naturgesetze formen zu können, jeden Menschen wie ein Buch lesen und umschreiben zu können, um einfach allmächtig zu werden?
Eine Besonderheit spielt dabei Blakes Schreibstil. Wer braucht lineare Zeitachsen wenn man zeitlich zwischen den Kapiteln springen kann und dadurch eine Szene wieder und wieder in neuem Licht betrachten kann. Nur um einfach jedes Mal neue Facetten zu offenbaren und mich zu zwingen meine Meinung jedes Mal zu revidieren. Gedachtes, gefühltes und gesprochenes geht ineinander über. Das hat zur Folge das man wirklich mit den Figuren denkt. Ihr Handlungsmotive nachfühlt und die Szene quasi selbst erlebt. Das hat aber auch zu Folge gehabt das ich Seiten wirklich dreimal gelesen habe und jedes Mal anders verstanden habe. Was schlussendlich darin geendet ist, dass ich den „“ für wörtliche Rede einfach nicht mehr getraut habe.
Als Krönung verändert sich die Art des Textes immer zu den Figuren. Blake verschafft den nervösen Ticks von Libby sprachlichen Ausdruck, genauso wie ich Callums Passagen auch ohne die Überschrift identifizieren konnte, einfach an dem kalten rationalen Satzbau und Wortschatz. Ich würde so weit gehen zu sagen, dass wenige Sätze in diesem Buch zufällig gewählt worden sind.
Einziger Kritikpunkt: Leute bekommt mal eure Triebe unter Kontrolle! Also ernsthaft jetzt. Keine einzige Sexszene hat mich gestört, weil sie nicht einfach nur eine Beschreibung des Aktes waren. Sondern weil auch hier das offensichtliche in den Hintergrund getreten ist und dafür Charakterentwicklung betrieben wurde. Entscheidung wurden während diesen Szenen besiegelt, bzw. dem Leser zum ersten Mal erklärt wieso so gehandelt wurde. Aber letzten Endes war es mir dann doch ein zu großes Handlungsmotiv. Jeder hatte auf einmal ein verstecktes Verlangen, eine geheime Liebe, oder ein darauf bezogenes Trauma. Dabei hätte man noch so viel aus den Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Figuren rausholen können.
Absolute Empfehlung. Dieses Buch sorgt für frischen Wind und Abwechslung. Gerade für so high Fantasy verwöhnte Menschen wie mich. Achso hab ich eigentlich schon den Cliffhänger am Ende erwähnt…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Genocide and Rape
praaliine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i hate them. i hate all the characters, they vex me so much. what annoys me even more is that i can’t stop thinking about them?? all i know is, i need to know more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
monstrouscosmos's review against another edition
I really enjoyed the world building, and the exploration of each character as individuals as well as their group dynamics. the perspective taking of the chapters was also interesting, and the narrators all added nuance to their performances in ways I appreciated (especially during internal monologues). unfortunately Part 6 definitely got too trigger heavy for me, and I found the expositions started to get both much longer and much less believable. not the book for me, unfortunately!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
I put all the triggers I remembered in "moderate", though some would definitely be better described as "minor" or "graphic".amybfox1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.5
So
In theory I enjoyed this, the world building, the magic system the characters…
BUT ITS SO LONG 😂😂
This is a type of book that is so different that anything I’ve read before. I think the character switching was a double edged sword? I loved how it broke it up but it also meant that I didn’t know where I was at any given point and I had to keep double checking who the narrator was at that point.
HAVING SAID ALL THAT
I really did enjoy it and im looking forward to reading more of this universe
In theory I enjoyed this, the world building, the magic system the characters…
BUT ITS SO LONG 😂😂
This is a type of book that is so different that anything I’ve read before. I think the character switching was a double edged sword? I loved how it broke it up but it also meant that I didn’t know where I was at any given point and I had to keep double checking who the narrator was at that point.
HAVING SAID ALL THAT
I really did enjoy it and im looking forward to reading more of this universe
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Child death and Terminal illness
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book and think its now in my top of all time. It's a dark academia fantasy book that's got such heavy harry potter influences without being copy and paste it was delicious.
6 adults from around the world (literally) are chosen to be apart of the secret society that protects/uses the library of Alexandria. First off I was already impressed that the characters were actually diverse and from all over the world since most books seem to say things like 'you are the top most powerful in the world' and then they all come from NYC/the US which is definitely not realistic. This cast of characters comes from Japan, US, England, South Africa, and France. The story is told from all of their perspectives which is interesting and complex, giving you everyone's separate motivations, secrets, and personalities. Elizabeth "Libby" Rhodes is an anxious bookworm rule follower white girl from NYC and Nico de Varona is a Cuban wealthy privlidged golden retriever adhd sunshine boy from NYC. They are 'physicists' as they study physical magic (ie levitation, gravity morphing, etc) and have recently graduated from magical NYU lol. They are class rivals and love/hate each other but are also equally extremely overly powerful. Reina Mori is an emotionally repressed classicist booklover who works at a coffeshop from Osaka and is a 'naturalist' (can control plants) but she is more than just a normal naturalist she doesn't put any effort into manipulating plants, they just feed off her energy and emotions. Tristan Caine is a anxious low achieving son of a mafia guy. He has worked his way up to corporate ladder with his powers and by dating a CEO's daughter he plans to eventually marry her and inherit the company. He is an illusionist (can create illusions) but not actually...it's more accurate that he can completely see through any and all illusions without trying. Parisa Kamali is a slut(positive) she is beautiful and uses her beauty and body combined with her power of mind reading to infiltrate anyone and get what she wants/needs. She is from Iran but lives in Paris and lol this is one of my biggest problems with the book is that her name is Parisa and shes from Paris. It's the only lazy thing in the book. Last but not least Callum Nova is the character we don't know much about. He is wealthy and good-looking and from South Africa where his family owns a rich international cooperation. His magic is empathy...
Overall the worldbuilding is very interesting, a very small percent of the world is capable of magic but only simple things like prestigitation-esque (warming things, turning on lights, opening doors) and are called witches. Then an even smaller percentage of that population are qualified and magical enough to be called medians and attend magical colleges like magical NYU. Then an even smaller percentage are considered for the atlas six initiation. The Atlas Six are six people chosen from around the world to be inducted into the Alexandrian society that protects the library of Alexandria (which has moved around over the years and now resides in England as most stolen things go lol). The 6 must attend a year of within the society before collectively choosing 1 of the 6 to eliminate and then becoming initiates.
This book has it all truly, It's diverse, it brings up deep moral dilemmas such as who deserves to have access to knowledge, should everyone know everything or is that dangerous, would you kill for what you want most in the world, are evil and good so black and white, and the morals of fantasy elements such as mind reading and emotional control. It was truly delicious.
But what really had me even more full-throttle invested is the clear harry potter influence. Atlas Blakely, the man who chooses the 6 and the caretaker of the society, is clearly a Dumbledore character- he's older, aloof, reserved, and only shows up to inconveniently drop lore before unhelpfully disappearing, he clearly has an alternative perhaps evil motive. Then we have Nico. Nico is so obviously a James Potter it hurtssss meeee. Nico is an energetic golden boy who cares so deeply for his friends and will do anything for them. He so obviously gryffindor but is so obviously James in the way he is attractive and knows it, has curly black hair, taught himself difficult magic in order to shape shift and be able to help his best friend. Like guys its right there. And if that's not obvious enough, he has two roommates, one a shapeshifter who changes into a black dog and is annoying but everyone loves (cough cough sirius black), and the other a guy inflicted with a genetic problem who is not quite human and has horrible parents and a tragic past (see Remus J Lupin). And no these roommates arent copy paste wolfstar, in fact the romance doesn't seem to be between those two, but they are blatant enough for me and i ate that uppppppp. Furthermore, I think the 6 clearly fit in hogwarts houses (Libby+Nico in Gryffindor, Paris+Callum in Slytherin, Reina in Ravenclaw, and Tristan as Hufflepuff). Apparently the author used to write harry potter fanfic under the same name so I think these aspects are obviously purposeful.
I loved this book 10/10 loosing my minddddd at the end! I also don't get surprised very often by plots and this one really had me going. This is the first booktok book that I've actually thoroughly enjoyed and understand the hype.
6 adults from around the world (literally) are chosen to be apart of the secret society that protects/uses the library of Alexandria. First off I was already impressed that the characters were actually diverse and from all over the world since most books seem to say things like 'you are the top most powerful in the world' and then they all come from NYC/the US which is definitely not realistic. This cast of characters comes from Japan, US, England, South Africa, and France. The story is told from all of their perspectives which is interesting and complex, giving you everyone's separate motivations, secrets, and personalities. Elizabeth "Libby" Rhodes is an anxious bookworm rule follower white girl from NYC and Nico de Varona is a Cuban wealthy privlidged golden retriever adhd sunshine boy from NYC. They are 'physicists' as they study physical magic (ie levitation, gravity morphing, etc) and have recently graduated from magical NYU lol. They are class rivals and love/hate each other but are also equally extremely overly powerful. Reina Mori is an emotionally repressed classicist booklover who works at a coffeshop from Osaka and is a 'naturalist' (can control plants) but she is more than just a normal naturalist she doesn't put any effort into manipulating plants, they just feed off her energy and emotions. Tristan Caine is a anxious low achieving son of a mafia guy. He has worked his way up to corporate ladder with his powers and by dating a CEO's daughter he plans to eventually marry her and inherit the company. He is an illusionist (can create illusions) but not actually...it's more accurate that he can completely see through any and all illusions without trying. Parisa Kamali is a slut(positive) she is beautiful and uses her beauty and body combined with her power of mind reading to infiltrate anyone and get what she wants/needs. She is from Iran but lives in Paris and lol this is one of my biggest problems with the book is that her name is Parisa and shes from Paris. It's the only lazy thing in the book. Last but not least Callum Nova is the character we don't know much about. He is wealthy and good-looking and from South Africa where his family owns a rich international cooperation. His magic is empathy...
Overall the worldbuilding is very interesting, a very small percent of the world is capable of magic but only simple things like prestigitation-esque (warming things, turning on lights, opening doors) and are called witches. Then an even smaller percentage of that population are qualified and magical enough to be called medians and attend magical colleges like magical NYU. Then an even smaller percentage are considered for the atlas six initiation. The Atlas Six are six people chosen from around the world to be inducted into the Alexandrian society that protects the library of Alexandria (which has moved around over the years and now resides in England as most stolen things go lol). The 6 must attend a year of within the society before collectively choosing 1 of the 6 to eliminate and then becoming initiates.
This book has it all truly, It's diverse, it brings up deep moral dilemmas such as who deserves to have access to knowledge, should everyone know everything or is that dangerous, would you kill for what you want most in the world, are evil and good so black and white, and the morals of fantasy elements such as mind reading and emotional control. It was truly delicious.
But what really had me even more full-throttle invested is the clear harry potter influence. Atlas Blakely, the man who chooses the 6 and the caretaker of the society, is clearly a Dumbledore character- he's older, aloof, reserved, and only shows up to inconveniently drop lore before unhelpfully disappearing, he clearly has an alternative perhaps evil motive. Then we have Nico. Nico is so obviously a James Potter it hurtssss meeee. Nico is an energetic golden boy who cares so deeply for his friends and will do anything for them. He so obviously gryffindor but is so obviously James in the way he is attractive and knows it, has curly black hair, taught himself difficult magic in order to shape shift and be able to help his best friend. Like guys its right there. And if that's not obvious enough, he has two roommates, one a shapeshifter who changes into a black dog and is annoying but everyone loves (cough cough sirius black), and the other a guy inflicted with a genetic problem who is not quite human and has horrible parents and a tragic past (see Remus J Lupin). And no these roommates arent copy paste wolfstar, in fact the romance doesn't seem to be between those two, but they are blatant enough for me and i ate that uppppppp. Furthermore, I think the 6 clearly fit in hogwarts houses (Libby+Nico in Gryffindor, Paris+Callum in Slytherin, Reina in Ravenclaw, and Tristan as Hufflepuff). Apparently the author used to write harry potter fanfic under the same name so I think these aspects are obviously purposeful.
I loved this book 10/10 loosing my minddddd at the end! I also don't get surprised very often by plots and this one really had me going. This is the first booktok book that I've actually thoroughly enjoyed and understand the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death