2022/109: The Atlas Paradox — Olivie Blake

How else could one possibly face the prospect of being one-sixth of a dystopian nuclear code if not to simply laugh and go back to sleep? [loc. 1567]

Second in the trilogy that began with The Atlas Six, an intriguing addition to the dark academia shelf. In that first volume, six gifted magic-users were recruited by Atlas Blakely, Caretaker of the Alexandrian Society. By the end of the novel, one of the six had been removed ...

This review will contain some spoilers for The Atlas Six, though hopefully nothing major for The Atlas Paradox. Persons not wishing to be spoilt for the first novel in the trilogy should stop reading NOW.

At the end of The Atlas Six, Libby had been abducted by her mysterious ex, Ezra, who was subsequently revealed to be in cahoots with Atlas Blakely and perhaps also about to change his allegiance. None of the remaining five could locate Libby at all: her absence, on the other hand, made it less urgent for one of them to be sacrificed so that the others could be initiated. And Atlas was adamant that anything taken from the Archive would be returned. Willingly or otherwise.

The Atlas Paradox depicts the gradual unravelling of the remaining students in Libby's absence, how each of them deals with her absence, and who among them is truly determined to find her again. There are also some new viewpoint characters (I was especially charmed by Gideon, though I'd have also liked more Max: there's another new character, though, whose arc I found extremely unsatisfactory, though necessary for the larger story) and some further insights into Atlas's agenda. Each of the five remaining students has a distinctive voice, a different goal and a closely-observed set of interactions with the others: perhaps Reina is the most intriguing, with the theory she develops based on the books that the archive won't let her request. Which makes others wonder what they aren't being allowed to see, in the archive and otherwise: and, of course, whether they are students or objects of study. The five's shifting allegiances, and the different ways in which they pair up, are complemented by Little Chmura's excellent artwork.

The plot is both complex and subtle, and it's by no means clear which (if any) of the narrators, or their perceptions, is reliable. There is a lot going on -- plot threads about the nature of gods, about climate change, about the Society's foes, about magical technology and its effect (or lack thereof) on the mortal world, about death and fate and love in its various forms -- but it's hard to grasp hold of any one thread and find resolution. That said, there are some very satisfying developments. I am looking forward immensely to the finale, in which I hope all will eventually be made clear(er).

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this full honest review. UK publication date is 25th October 2022.