Olivie Blake - Tumblr Posts
J READ THE ATLAS SIX AND THESE ARE MY TWO FAVS I HOPE THEY END UP TOGETHER OR MAYBE J AS PLATONIC SOULMATES EVEN
also there is like NO fan art for this book! wish it would get more popular it deserves it. this book will put me in a slump so my options are to reread it or draw characters
In Reina’s mind, they were binary stars, trapped in each other’s gravitational field and easily diminished without the other’s opposing force.
from The Atlas Six by @olivieblake
I just want a found family like those in books and fiction. Is it too much to ask?
Can you love my brain even when it is small? When it is malevolent? When it is violent? Can you love it even when it does not love me?
-alone with you in the ether by Olivie Blake
~ January's Books Reviewed ~
January was a good month in regards to reading. Due to a lack of other obligations I read a lot, including completing a series that I had started the previous year.
Oathbringer pt 1 & 2 by Brandon Sanderson
(635 & 756 pages)
I am absolutely obsessed with this series. I read it under recommendation from a friend actually here on tumblr and I'm so happy I did. Sanderson's world is incredible, his characters are beautiful and the plot is intriguing and captivating. I genuinely would go as far as to say that Sanderson might be one of (if not the) best fantasy writers I have ever read. I did enjoy the first book in this series (The Way Of The Kings) the most I think, however I loved the character development of Shallan in this book. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy or found family books. They are a big commitment and can be a little heavy getting into since it's a lot of world building, but I would say entirely worth it.
I gave both these books 4 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Last Smile in Sunderland City by Luke Arnold
(316 pages)
I confess that I read this while waiting for the last Sanderson books to come so I was perhaps not in the head space to read something else, however I was a little disappointed by it. It wasn't bad by any stretch, however it was not what I was expecting. It was still a fairly light hearted mystery, however it was not as humorous as I was anticipating, and the mystery plot was strangely almost not the main focus, instead it became more of a character study, or political commentary. It was a really quick read however (I completed it in a day) and I'm glad I did read it. I'd recommend it to anyone who is maybe looking for a quick, easy first try at a fantasy book. The world building isn't as heavy as other fantasy novels and as it is a stand alone it's an easier first step into the genre than some other tombs of books!
I gave this book 3 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Rhythm of War part 1 & 2 by Brandon Sanderson
(659 & 742 pages)
I am not a crier generally, so when I say that the start of this book made me actually fully sob I hope that that acts as a stronger review than any words I could say. It was emotional and so well written, especially the depiction of ptsd and depression. I really appreciated how fresh the story still felt. This is the fourth book in this series and it would have been so easy to just keep working in a formula that Sanderson knew had worked with the big battle scenes etc, instead (despite the name: Rhythm of War), this story moved away slightly for the war and fighting and instead showed a different form of tension. This kept the story exciting in my opinion, especially as I am much more inclined towards reading more subtle/undercover style fights than big battles. Some story lines were more interesting than others, but overall I felt this was an emotionally draining and addictive finale to the series.... that is until I realised that apparently their might still be more to come?! Either way, my comments from the previous book remain - I would highly highly recommend this series.
I gave both these books 4 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe
(167 pages)
I know this is a classic. I know it is probably the original psychological horror. And I have so much respect for Radcliffe for that, however I did not find this book that enjoyable to read. It was simultaneously dreadfully slow and dull; and horribly complex. In theory, the idea behind it and the plot intrigued me but the characters were annoying and the style of writing was not engaging enough for me. If you like psychological horror books, I would recommend this, since it is where the genre started. It's a quick read for anyone who's wanting to tick classics off their list too.
I gave this book 2 stars ⭐ ⭐
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
(506 pages)
SOOO good! I loved the premise, and the characters are all so interesting and compelling. Some of them I despise with a burning passion, but in a good way! An incredible start to a trilogy as I finished filled with a desperate excitement to find out what happens next. I genuinely cannot reiterate how much I loved this book and how I would recommend it to everyone who in anyway feels inclined to reading anything in the realms of fantasy, mystery or general magic. I repeat: so so good!
I gave this book 5 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Atlas Paradox by Olive Blake
(399 pages [hardback vers.])
Funnily enough, still so so good! I am obsessed with this trilogy and honestly the only bad thing about it might be the fact that I'm going to have to wait for the final book as it isn't published yet! I will say that I think I probably preferred the first one, but that is likely in part due to the fact that I read it a little quicker. In general, I find it is unusual to find a sequel that lives up to its predecessor so well like this. Again, I cannot recommend this enough.
I gave this book 5 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐