I was super excited to read this! Magically people in a magically library! Color me intrigued.

The characters were definitely interesting. So much sexual tension everywhere. But also a lot of shadiness going on. No one quite trusts one another, which isn’t hard to believe as only five of the six would move forward.

What I didn’t expect from this book considering it such glowing reviews was how slow the story was. The theme of this book is essentially the thirst for knowledge, which ultimately becomes thirst for power. But I felt like that part was so overwhelming. Tons of back and forth philosophical debates which really did nothing for the story.

And when finally something interesting happens, the book ends. And not even at interesting cliff hanger.

I’m probably not going to continue with the series. It just wasn’t for me.

A dark academic debut fantasy with an established cult following that reads like The Secret History meets The Umbrella Academy. The much-acclaimed viral sensation from Olivie Blake, The Atlas Six--now newly revised and edited with additional content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

This book is a solid 4.5 stars for me! I truly love dark academia, and the added twists of magical abilities and the secret organizations made this a really addicting read. The six students we follow are all complex characters that are bursting with power, unique personalities, and untold secrets that keep the reader engaged with each chapter. I liked the rotating POVs because I really couldn't decide who I was rooting for and who I wasn't, and each chapter brought something new to the table.

I especially enjoyed the combination of magic and science in this book. Most fantasy books focus on the visual aspects of magic, but The Atlas Six was all about researching and exploring the physical world that allowed magic to exist. It made my science-loving heart so happy to have these unique discussions in a fantasy novel.

The only thing that keeps this book from being five stars for me is that I thought sometimes there was just too much filler information. I wonder though if that's only because I read the extended addition of this book and I might've enjoyed the original better. Regardless, I loved the big twist at the end and can't wait to see where this series goes!

This was such an interesting mysterious read.

I loved the different aspects of the magic , and how it was competitive and forced unlikely partnerships. I liked the different POV’s throughout the story. It think it really helped me connect with each character in a way that I would not have with a single POV. I thought the plot itself was well thought out and pretty unique.

I was pleasantly surprised by this story and am glad to have been able to receive this arc since it allowed me to purchase a soecial edition after enjoying it as much as I did.

I wanted to try this science fiction novel and I am super thankful I did. While it wasn't a five star read for me, it was definitely interesting and kept my attention.

Welcome to the Alexandrian society! A secret society of magical academics whose members are caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity. Every ten years, the world’s six most talented medeians (magicians) are selected for initiation, but only five of them can succeed. With Atlas as a caretaker, the six candidates have one year to prepare, in which they can access the society’s archives. That is, if they can all survive that long.

I’d had this book on my rather for quite some time, but for some reason I never decided to pick it up. This book was first self-published but then it got picked up by a publishing house and they expanded it, and when I saw it on Netgalley I decided to request it, and I got it! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this. I am so glad now I waited to read it.
I really liked this book! The ambience was really good although I really wish there had been some descriptions of the library of Alexandria. The mixed POV gives it a good dynamic and it is really interesting to see each character use their own power, and how that same power is perceived by the rest.

I thought the dynamic between the characters was very interesting, even if most of them weren’t very likeable. The different POVs definitely adds to the story, especially because each character has their own powers.

Flawless, outstanding, absolutely beautiful and creative writing. Olivie Blake has created a beautiful world that is so easy to fall in love with, with complex and morally grey characters, intense fighting scenes, and a jaw dropping ending. I am obsessed.

A secret society, the lost Library of Alexandria, magic, dark academia.....this book held a lot of promise.
Unfortunately, I found it falling short. I'm torn between 2 or 3 stars. Some things are great, and some things are very hard to look past.

The biggest letdown is the characters. The book is character-driven, which makes things frustrating when the majority of the six main characters are extremely unlikable. One or two, I'd understand. Unlikable characters are common in dark academia stories. But nearly all of them? Especially at first. While some do grow on you, or they get a smidgeon of character development that allows the reader to understand their behavior, most of the first POVs for each character put me off. Some characters POVs were a drag to get through, which really slows the story down. But when the characters are interesting, they are really interesting. So at times I couldn't put the book down and other times I had to really push myself to continue. There's also the trouble with the dialogue. It sounded like all the characters were going through some existential crisis.
"Beauty is nothing. Nothing anyone sees is real; only how they perceive it.”
That, but in almost every conversation. It got to be a bit much.

The world-building and magic system are interesting yet confusing. There's a lot of secrets and mysteries, it was hard to keep track. Both this and the characters, I almost wish the book were longer so that the author had more room to really flesh everything out. The magic was my favorite part of the story, that and the Society. I wish there were more explanations or history put into the story. But the overall premise is fascinating. My hope is that this will all happen in the next book. Although I gave it a "just okay", there's something about it that compels me to read the next book. I may not rush out to grab it, but I would like to see if it improves upon the story. However, if it doesn't pay off, I'm going to be extremely grumpy about it.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Atlas six by Olivia Blakes takes us into a world of dark academia, magic, romance and a creative storyline that will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end of this book. Every detail is perfect and although the writing style is a little bit harder to understand is so worth it once you get to know the characters.

One of the best parts of this book is the multiple points of views, Blake did such an amazing job because we’re talking about 6-7 points of views, but she managed to make it interesting and because of this factor you wanted to keep reading to know what each character was thinking

The romance in the book was to die for and really I can’t wait for the second book to come out because of course it ends in a cliffhanger

THIS BOOK IS WORTH THE HYPE!!! I loved the characters and their dynamics. The premise is so good and I absolutely loved this.

Rating: 3/5
This book caught my attention within the first few paragraphs. I was instantly intrigued and loved the characters and world as it was first introduced. Olivie Blakes writing is phenomenal and her use of prose is very well done. I, however, found the magic system to be very complex and hard to understand as interesting as it was. It was explained really well but there were so many concepts that were explained that it was hard to keep up. At times, it felt like there was a lot of telling and a lot less showing (which made it feel like you were reading an essay on how to explain magic using physics).

In terms of the characters, I loved them all and loved how they worked together. However, I felt like we got to know the characters on a surface level. A lot about the characters was kept a mystery too long into the book, that it was hard to make sense of anything while reading.

So all in all, a complex magic system and surface level characters do not make for an enjoyable read. Do I want to read the next book? Yes, it ended in a cliffhanger and I'm intrigued enough to want to know what happens. I'm also hoping the magic and world will make more sense as we keep reading.

I haven't read a fantasy book like this. It's so unique but yet so complicated.
The atlas six is a dark academia that is based around the idea that the Alexandra library didn't burn down and is actually a secret society. 6 magicians have potential to be selected into the society, however only 5 are chosen.
The characters were incredible, the writing was magical and I was constantly wanting to keep reading. It was such a shame I ended up rating it lower than I would of liked. It would of given it 4 stars however, I got very confused with all the different POV's and that definitely took away from the experience of how magical and beautiful the writing was. That is the only main fault (personally) of the book but it is quite a big once and hence to why I gave it 3.4 stars. Maybe a reread is needed and then I'll have a higher opinion of this book!
If you love morally grey characters, a complex magic system, constant twists and turns then this book is 100% for you!
Thankyou so much NetGally for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. Absolutely going to go out and buy the physical copy so I can see all the amazing artwork throughout the book!

Exemplary! Impossibly to put down! The Atlas Six follows the lives of six characters each possessing their own set of special powers while they go through initiation into a secret Society. You won’t be able to wait for the next book!

The first thing you might think is, "MAGICAL COMPETITION? I am expecting epic magic battles on every page". And you'd be wrong. The Atlas Six is a multiple POV novel that is fueled by character development. Once you've re-framed your expectations, you are treated to a story which allows you to know each nook and cranny of a character. To hear what makes them tick, to see the secrets they try to hide on their surface. If you love rivals, people hiding from their own secrets, trying to escape boredom, and discover answers, then this is for you.

Once I got accustomed to the slightly slower pacing - because we keep switching between POVs - I ended up sinking into my fascination for these characters. Talk about a fantastic set of diverse characters as well! By the end of the book, I became fully committed. Not only are there breadcrumbs, clues, and pieces of a character that bloom, but also The Atlas Six ends up concluding with an explosive finish. Blake takes the time to have readers get to know the characters. All the magical talents, untapped potential, and puzzles as they figure out the secrets of the Alexandrian society.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It was a wild ride reading this stunning book! I don't know where to start.
I was literally hooked the moment I started this book and still am pleasantly surprised. Absolutely have to appreciate books with a solid beginning which intrigues the reader.
The plot was simple but it had so many little plot twists and turns which thoroughly invested me and so shocking, iykyk. I really loved the academy and it's studies more than I thought I would but it got a bit boring sometimes, my fault not the author's, because understanding and learning different theories and concepts is difficult but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I have never ever read a book with more in-depth characters that had such unique personalities and were explored separately in their POVs. Really loved that aspect! My only complain with this book is that there were some unnecessary scenes some like those between Parisa and Dalton, not all interactions though because some were informative regarding the plot.
All in all, this was a very strong first book in a series and I can't wait for the next book!
Read if you like:
- morally grey characters
- found family (kind of🤔)
- dark academia
- concepts and theories
- plot twists and turns

3.5 stars!💖

I really don't know where to start with this. I don't pick books based on the hype. I didn't even realize this was a features BookTok book when I first got it from NetGalley. I read several other reviews and saw an outpouring of love. I hoped for a fraction of the same feeling. I don't get what I'm missing here?

How do I summarize a book when I don't know what I even read? There was little explanation, the character I liked, Reina, was underdeveloped. The author had her favorites, and Reina was not one of them. I like certain characters more than others, but as the reader, it shouldn't be so clear to me that the author doesn't care for her creation. The story fell flat, and I had difficulty believing these characters were interconnected. We rarely saw them interact with each other, and what dialogue there was between them, I found myself having to reread several times to understand what was being discussed. I don't know what anything looked like, where they were outside of it being very London-like.

There was so much talk about magic and how individuals can manipulate it other than the tidbits about the physics elements. I can't tell you anything about the magic in this book.

I know Tor is supposed to be re-releasing after picking up this author from initially being self-published, but I don't think I can bring myself to reread this. I know I'm in the minority with my feelings, and I wanted to love this book but didn't.

I'm trying to coherently write this review instead of just screaming into the abyss about how much I loved this book, the plot, and the characters. The only thing running through my brain right now is screaming and calls for NicoLibby. It's only February, but I already know this book is going to be one of my top 5 reads of the year. Olivie is a genius and this book is on a whole other level. The magic is intricate and complex and...just big brain energy ok?I WISH I lived in the same plane Olivie did haha. Every time I thought I'd figured something out, Olivie added something to the story that made it that much better. The last two chapter literally left my jaw hanging open. The plot of this book is genius and will literally hook you from page one. But what was my actual favorite part of this book? The. Characters. Character-driven books are my favorite kind of books and this book is one of the best I've ever read. There isn't a character I didn't love. Even Callum who's supposed to be the "darkest" of the six, I ended up liking. Every time I thought I'd picked a favorite, Olivie made me love someone else. There were SO many ships in this story and I literally loved every one of them (how? I don't know. Just Olivie's genius). These six characters are all morally grey in their own way yet they grow in every chapter. We learn something about them that adds another layer or they're thrown into a situation that forced them to do something they hadn't planned. Olivie has a magic that literally makes Nico, Libby, Callum, Tristan, Parisa, and Reyna PEOPLE instead of characters. They breathed magic and life and I truly cannot WAIT to see where they go from here. So, in summary, GO READ THIS BOOK!

Thank you to NetGalley and TorForge Books for the opportunity to read an eGalley of this incredible books. The Atlas Six was a surprise - in a good way. While it contained several of the tropes of dark academy fantasy, it turned others on its head and approached the relationships between characters with subtle realism & brilliant surprises. I adored this book, and I think you will too - just be prepared for something a little different than you think you're getting into.

DNF at 21%.

This is probably the final nail in the coffin for me realising that I just don't enjoy dark academia, so please take this review with a hefty pinch of salt: I *hated* this book, but it's not you, it's me. If you're a fan of unlikeable, ambitious characters, philosophical musings, and the kind of writing that is perfect for pulling quotes out of and making very dramatic moodboards with, then you are probably going to love this book. I personally found it unbearable.

The Atlas Six is what would happen if you put The Secret History and Six of Crows in a blender, then added a hefty dose of Marauders fanfic. TikTok is going to go wild for this book, but I'm past the point in my life where snark and Deep Thoughts will pull me through a book where I genuinely dislike all the characters. I pretty much read this whole thing with a raised eyebrow at how seriously it seemed to be taking itself. It's sixth-form amateur philosophy and psychology presented as if it's the most original thing ever; at the point I DNFed, there was pretty much no plot to speak of, just a series of interminable scenes of each character assessing all the others. I'm sure I'm just not the target market for this (which makes me feel very old), and I'm disappointed I couldn't enjoy it; however, it does what it's supposed to be doing, and I'm glad it's getting the praise it deserves.

"A flaw of humanity, (...) The compulsion to be unique, which is at war with the desire to belong to a single identifiable sameness."

The world, in which many crave power, and power is knowledge. Not the easily accessible one, the one that has been shared in the world and can be mastered by masses at will and effort. Power is the hidden knowledge, the most valued, the most destructive - and therefore, shared only with the chosen.

Six medeians are chosen each decade for initiation to the Alexandrian Society, and only five of them can succeed. Each one of them is different, but they are meant to be one - only to rid of one limb, one person, halfway through their academic journey. This should be intriguing enough - the impasse that begs for the opposition, or the impasse that changes people into someone that "would kill for..".

"The freedom of endless choices wasn't meant for human minds."

The Atlas Six is a brilliant journey through the human mind. With its dark academia setting, the contradictions, and harmony, the balance of thought and feelings, power and weaknesses, we are presented with seven different POVs of geniuses, each of different magical capabilities. But each of them, nevertheless, is very human. Reading it felt like experiencing subtle wars - is what we see the truth, or only what we've been told or manipulated to see? Is any choice we make fully, or even at least partially ours? During the time of studying in the Academy, each candidate finds answers, but significantly more questions. They form mastermind alliances, calculated to a molecule, but fragile as any others.

Olivie Blake has an undeniable talent to tell a story that seems interesting, yes, but in reality, it plants thoughts and ideas in your mind, makes it work on increased capacity, and before you realize, you are mesmerized and unable to put it down. And "Thoughts, once planted, could not be forgotten." I am obsessed and so fascinated by how the author managed to make this story so authentic to alter, even if momentarily, my point of view on reality. My favorite stories are the ones that make me think "I know it's fiction, but is it really?".

Read if you like:
- dark academia
- multiple POVs
- intellectual competition
- the power of knowledge
- secret society
- suspense

I have received an ARC copy of the newly revised and edited The Atlas Six with additional content from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be available on March 1!

I read that this book was being turned into a movie or show for Amazon, and I believe it. This has "sexy teenager played by an older actor" written all over it, down to the hints at gay love and a definite but not explicit FFM threesome.

Still, an excellent book.

So six of the best magicians are chosen to compete for five opening in the super secret elite magic club. The opening of the book is each person, we meet and see them in different amounts, and we see them invited to a meeting. We learn a little about them, we know why each is chosen, we know enough to be interested. They all come to live in a living house (the house is actually alive) and study and learn and practice together for a year.

The writing is refreshing, and it took me awhile to see why; the troupes are used as tools. Remember in Lord of the Ring, when everyone comes together and makes this monumental decision to go destroy the ring at great risk, the whole world hanging on the balance of that meeting? In this story, the meeting is just skipped... we know how it ends, so just continue the story. I LOVE it. They are given magic business cards to the meeting, we don't need to know how they work so we don't, they just come to the meeting. The details of magic don't change this story, so we don't care.

Chapters rotate through narrators, and are well done. Each character reveals a little about themselves. Do they notice someone's clothes, or how attractive they are? The differences in narrators is well done, subtle. There are some GREAT one liners, reflections on philosophy.

In this world, magic is out in the open, complete with magic universities and magic business investments and magic social media. Non-magic people are called "mortals", but the magic users aren't immortal, so why use that language? Might as well call them muggles. There is a difference between a "real" magic user and a witch, but it's not really explained what the difference is. Albert Einstein was a witch, apparently, for whatever that is worth.

I have two problems with this book: I can see where it was written for TV, and the cast of characters is too small.

There are some scenes written with a disappropriate focus on the environment, the sexy scenes especially, almost as if someone was imagining writing a script. Its what happened to Rick Riordan and his Lightning Thief (https://www.goodreads.com/series/40736-percy-jackson-and-the-olympians) series, once it got picked up for movies the writing changed. Not a huge deal, but annoying and noticeable.

The plot point I didn't like happens later in the book, when someone not in the living-house contributes to the plot. Oh no, characters say, who could have done this? Well, there's only, like, three characters who could have done this, oh look, it's them, I am so surprised, shock and awe. I understand keeping the cast small to save on costs during filming, I mean, to keep the focus on the important characters, but when you have the "big reveal", its harder to keep it a surprise.

Still, I have no intention of watching the show, but I highly recommend the book.

A lot of stories ask "What are you willing to die for?"

The question this book asks is "What are you willing to kill for?"

**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.