The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake - June 2022

[Kristie, Moderator (Retired)]

One of our winning group reads for June 2022 is The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. Please discuss here and remember to use spoiler tags as needed, as everyone may start at different times and reads at different speeds.



The Alexandrian Society is a secret society of magical academicians, the best in the world. Their members are caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity. And those who earn a place among their number will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams. Each decade, the world’s six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation – and here are the chosen few...

- Libby Rhodes and Nicolás Ferrer de Varona: inseparable enemies, cosmologists who can control matter with their minds.
- Reina Mori: a naturalist who can speak the language of life itself.
- Parisa Kamali: a mind reader whose powers of seduction are unmatched.
- Tristan Caine: the son of a crime kingpin who can see the secrets of the universe.
- Callum Nova: an insanely rich pretty boy who could bring about the end of the world. He need only ask.

When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they must spend one year together to qualify for initiation. During this time, they will be permitted access to the Society’s archives and judged on their contributions to arcane areas of knowledge. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. If they can prove themselves to be the best, they will survive. Most of them.

[Corina]

I started this a few days ago before the results of the vote were in I was to excited as it has been staring at me from my shelves for a while.
So far I'm really enjoying it and I'm intrigued. I do have a few minor qualms with the writing but nothing to stop me from reading. Looking forward to discussing this with everyone.

[Carol]

I’m 14% of the way in. This wouldn’t typically be my genre. Off to an active start. I never got into Harry Potter but am wondering if this will be somewhat of an adult Harry Potter? We shall see where it goes!

[Marie (UK)]

I am at about the same point as Carol. I feel this first part is simply scene setting. I do read some fantasy and i think this reads like something typical of the genre. Half a dozen characters all with differing abilities drawn together by a common aim / task. It isn't at the moment making me think brilliance - but I am willing to be proved wrong.

I go this from netgalley I suspect it is trying to draw in readers ready for the second in the series due to be published later this year. Cynically this makes me think that reviews / sales may not be all the publisher's desired

[Corina]

I did finish this in May. I was definitely intrigued from the start. The characters can definitely be frustrating at times and mostly unlikeable, but I was interested to find out their back story.
The writing to me felt a bit over the top at time, but I guess it did suit the setting.
I did like where the story went and I will for sure pick up the second book.

[Carol]

I’m now 25% of the way in. I’m finding some of the characters highly annoying, others unlikeable. I’m usually ok with nonlikeable characters but the annoying will get to me. I’m not hooked yet and continuing on.

[Marie (UK)]

I am ready to stick my head in the gas oven - if I had one. This book is inane drivel. I feel like I am wading through treacle in 3 hours i have manged to get through 6% of the book. I have to give up

[Rebecca]

😂😂😂 Marie.

[Carol]

I’m really struggling but am 54% done so feel like I should just finish it….but there will be a good amount of skimming.

[Firouza]

If you didn't like the characters there is no point in reading. The writing is not so good, the plot is minimal and there is very little world building. It is actually overhyped, but personally I liked it.

[Carol]

I finished by skimming the last half of the book. Probably should have been a DNF for me. I see plenty of great reviews for this book but it wasn’t for me. All characters were annoying or unlikeable and it just got too “out there” for me, and the “out there” parts were written in an uninteresting way for me. 1 star.

[Keli]

Marie - Your comment made me laugh.

I gave up on this one. I found the writing style annoying. What I did read, was boring and not that good. Don't even get me started on the unlikable characters. DNF.