I think about Libby and Nico way more than I honestly could (it's the line about them being stars caught in each other's orbits...it lives rent-free in my mind)

The Atlas Paradox is the second book in the Atlas trilogy, and it's the most recent of my dark academia reads that reminds me not to join super secret academic societies. This is my second time reading this book, and I think I like the first book better. That being said, I think I enjoyed this more on my second read-through.
My main issue with this book is that it feels like nothing really happens. Admittedly, the same could be true for the first book, but that one at least had a certain level of tension that escalated the stakes throughout. Picking up from the last book, Libby has been kidnapped by Ezra and becomes stranded in the past. The other five initiates intend to save her...and then don't bother actually trying anything for the vast majority of the book. The ending picks up the pacing, but the rest is relatively slow, and there aren't any crazy plot twists, in my opinion.
Again, I'll just focus on the main characters because they're really the only important people. Callum is still my least favorite just because he irritates me, and I get that that's the point, but I still hate him. Parisa wasn't as interesting in this book, so I kinda grew bored of her. Tristan is okay, but I don't love him. I liked Reina's character arc in this one and her dynamics with Callum made him more tolerable. Nico and Libby are still my favorites. Libby's POVs were probably the most interesting ones plotwise, but Nico's POVs were the most enjoyable to read for the most part.
The Atlas Paradox - sequel to The Atlas Six - promises a grim new chapter in this dark academia series questioning what one would do in the name of knowledge.

3.5/5