The Atlas Paradox (The Atlas Series Book 2) by Olivie Blake

Alright, I’m back, people! I’ve officially posted my CK review, which you guys should check out if you haven’t already. I read that after I finished Sapiens a few weeks ago and then decided to give the second Atlas book a chance. I’ve actually started my summer job as an assistant receptionist and intern at a theater in NY, and a lot of my job is sitting at the front desk—perfect for getting through books quickly. That’s why I’ve been tearing through my summer reading list as fast as I have, although I haven’t found time to update you guys here. Anyway, let’s dive into The Atlas Paradox.

These books have kind of been a long journey for me, as it took a while for me to finish the first one (that was a year or two ago), and I haven’t felt a yearning to pick the series back up again. On top of that, even though I was invested when I finished the second book a week ago, I soon found out that the third isn’t coming out until 2025. FML!!! I hate when I get invested in a series and then the last one hasn’t come out yet, ie Royal Ranger Book 6. But, the fact that I’m angry about this does indicate I had a good time reading it, so let’s dive in.

I really like the intellectual aspect of these books, especially the scientific and existential topics they touch on. Although it’s not in-depth and it’s in a fictional world that doesn’t have the same rules, I do really enjoy that style of plot that gets my brain working and trying to put all the pieces together. That was part of the reason I went through the first book so slowly, but now that I understand the writing style, I definitely went faster the second time around.

I loved getting the core six again, and there are a lot of funny sibling-esque moments in this book of them. I physically need Tristan Caine, but that’s neither here nor there. I want Nico as a pet, because that’s what he is for the others, and I’m surprised by how much I like Parisa and Libby. Reina was never my favorite, though I relate to her the most, and Callum is an interesting if annoying presence. Also, Gideon is my babygirl and Ezra can jump off a cliff.

Again, I’m angry that I have to wait until next year to finish the series, but I definitely will get the third book when it comes out. I recommend this book for a special group of niche, history/psychology, and fantasy nerds, who love a good little bit of angsty rich kids getting into trouble and attempting to save the world. A super small group, but I would recommend it to those girlies.

Genre: historical fiction, dark academia, fiction, fantasy

Age: 13+

Rating: 8/10