The Atlas Complex

The world of the Atlas trilogy is reminiscent of the 2020s in our reality, with most of the same global issues. Where it departs is in the presence of magic as a real and present force. However, as magic has been highly commodified, it reinforces the same socioeconomic and societal issues in the real world rather than being used to right these problems. Individuals in the story who possess magical abilities fall into two categories: “Witches” lack formal magical education, while “medeians” are trained at magical universities. Medeians are further divided into categories based on the specialization of their abilities. These include matter-controlling physicists and emotion-manipulating empaths, among others. The story focuses on the Alexandrian Society, a secret organization created to protect the knowledge of the Great Library of Alexandria. Every decade, six medeians are chosen to be initiated into the Society after a year of training.

The Atlas Six focuses on the most recent candidates: Libby Rhodes, Nico Ferrer de Varona, Reina Mori, Tristan Caine, Callum Nova, and Parisa Kamali. They are all approached by Atlas Blakely, who offers them the opportunity to join the Society. Each candidate has their own unique talents and personal motivations. As the candidates navigate the alliances and tensions within the group, they also face their own struggles. Libby’s relationship with her boyfriend, Ezra, is strained by her acceptance of the Society’s offer. Nico is burdened by protecting his roommate, Gideon, from his criminal mother while participating in the Society. Meanwhile, Reina’s resolve to make her own way within the Society is tested when confronted by an offer from the Forum, a rival organization that advocates for free access to knowledge. It is revealed that the initiation requires one of the candidates to die. The Atlas Six choose Callum, although Tristan is unable to follow through with killing him. It appears that Libby died instead, but Tristan realizes that her body is a magical fake. However, they are unable to find her.

The Atlas Paradox picks up a year later. Libby has spent this time trapped in 1989 by Ezra, who can travel through time and kidnapped her. Her story focuses on her search for a way to escape her captivity. As her story progresses, she becomes more willing to compromise her ethics for her goals. In the end, she betrays Belen, her one friend in 1989, and causes a nuclear explosion to escape back to her own time. Meanwhile, Ezra is revealed to be one of the Society’s initiates from Atlas’s group. While the two originally plotted to destroy the organization together, their disagreements led to them taking different approaches. Ezra forms his own group of outsiders to the Society. However, when Libby returns from 1989, she kills him. Afterward, she reunites with Nico and Gideon in Paris. After completing their second year, the others leave the Society and pursue their own goals.