Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 06/05/2022
Cover:
The unconventional design is well-suited for the story it represents. It is fascinating, but I do not find it eye-catching (pun intended).
Writing:
The first thing that irritated me was the unnecessarily grandiloquent writing style that made it hard for me to understand and enjoy the story. Next was the deluge of information used for most of the world-building. I barely took in most of this information and had to go over it several times to understand. Despite this, the world-building lacked complexity and left many unanswered questions about the magic system and how the Alexandrian Society works. Also, the time jumps in the story were unclear and confusing. There was, however, one thing I liked about the writing – the multiple points of view (POVs). These helped differentiate the characters and establish their motives.
More interesting than the game is always the player
Storyline:
The focus of the storyline is placed on the internal conflicts and struggles of each character. While these were somewhat fascinating, most were not resolved or explored with much depth. The numerous ploys and politics that make up the rest of the storyline went over my head due to the pretentious writing style. I could barely understand the unfolding events and struggled to stay engaged. What little I did understand seemed to rely heavily on sex and seduction to build a weak web of intrigue. Even the few twists and mysteries included were unsatisfying since I was not shocked or moved by them.
Main character:
Despite the presence of six main characters, they each have a distinct backstory, personality and skill. This made it easier to identify the characters and allowed each to bring something different to the story. At the same time, the interchangeable use of first and last names confused me as this meant there were twelve to remember.
Honestly, I did not even like these characters and could not force myself to root for any. Yes they had all faced difficulties, but that is not enough to justify their selfishness and vanity. They also have numerous internal conflicts and insecurities that make them slightly relatable, but their lack of growth means this lacks impact.
Some people are flawed and interesting… others are just flawed
Secondary characters:
A handful of secondary characters are lucky enough to be given backstories and some depth. However, this is clearly done to enable these characters to play a bigger role later in the series. The remaining secondary characters do not contribute much to the storyline, as the main characters are in a secluded library. These are used as props to explain the behaviours and pursuits of the main characters.
Romance:
The romance aspect of the story seemed unnecessary to me. It develops unnaturally and is so forced that even the characters do not know whether they have a genuine connection or were manipulated.
All in all, I actually liked the concept behind ‘The Atlas Six.’ Sadly, this concept is lost within the grandiloquent writing style and uneventful storyline. Add in the tedious characters, and I do not think I will be continuing with this series. Those who liked this story might also like The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. The writing style for both books are very similar, and both involve an ancient society with archives of knowledge.
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