#olivie blake is not writing

[olivieblake]

I know it's SO silly to avoid posting spoilers on a fic that was written almost a decade ago but @wonniesverse asked about what happens in chapter 35 or 36 or whatever of Marked (you know the one) and I am putting my answer under the cut!!! it's unfortunately kind of a short answer lol

hi! i am so sorry if i've got the wrong account but i had just recently read the clean and marked dramione series you wrote on ao3, and i was genuinely FLOORED. yep it's me lol this was the first fic i had ever genuinely cried for, the way you expressed hermione's and draco's relationship so well. the fic was written so long ago - in 2016 - and you might have forgotten about it, ahahahah pls but i had one question i simply couldn't ignore for the life of me: when snape used the time turner, he went to another parallel universe, right?

sorry to interrupt you here, but no! he used the time turner to go back in time, within the same universe, in a time loop. as with the events of book 3, there is still only one universe and only one timeline—there are briefly two harrys and two hermiones in the book because they're the ones who used the time-turner, but in this case, only snape went back, so he's the only one who is experiencing both the current timeline and the rewritten past.

so the new universe's hermione and draco could feel the phantom original universe's draco and hermione's experiences, so the original universe must still have been existing and operating alongside the new parallel one, meaning that the original hermione and draco were still there (please correct me if i'm wrong!).

so again, there is only one timeline, but them being able to feel the echoes of other decisions and other lives was meant to be sort of ineffable. magic!!! etc etc

but i was wondering, if that was a separate timeline, what happened to the original universe's draco and hermione if they still existed? i know draco died in the original universe, but i was curious how the original universe's hermione (master of death) lived after that, and if she ever found joy again, or if she only talked to the ghost of draco forever, and i also wonder how theo fared in that original timeline. there are so many other questions i'd like to ask, but i'll keep this as short as i can.

I made a joke in this week's not writing video that the oversaturation of multiverse media has led to some confusion so yeah, the timeline is disrupted and written over, like—oops maybe this is too Aged a reference—but it's like when you record over an existing VHS and the original footage is simply lost. but there is also the concept of a palimpsest, which is what I wanted those echoes of another life to feel like

as for what would have happened if that timeline continued: what the story suggests (the reason snape went back to begin with) is that the timeline is hopeless—draco is dead and can't be resurrected, hermione maybe never moves on, she allows absolute power to corrupt her absolutely. but that was the point of the story, that the pressure point that re-starts the time loop each time is that draco dies and everything goes irreparably wrong from there. you are of course welcome to reimagine something else! but that was the point of writing a story that resets to canon; I was trying to resolve and explain all the places where something doesn't make sense, like whenever an adult makes a terrible and illogical decision

the way that you wrote of hermione's heartbreak truly tore me apart, and i cried unabashedly when i saw draco died. draco loved her so much and she loved him, so to kill one of them would be utter torture, and i hope the original hermione got to find peace or at the very least see draco in the afterlife. theo was so strong too - even though he wished he could be selfish and talk to draco too, he knew he couldn't take even the ghost of draco away from hermione, so he gave up his chance. i cannot even begin to describe how this story broke my heart and mended it again, and i'm happy that at least the hermione and draco in the other parallel universe got their happy ending, but i also worry about the original hermione and draco too. if you've read until here, thank you so so much for just indulging and entertaining this silly question of mine, and i wholly understand if you don't feel like reading this question anymore. nonetheless, regardless of if you read or reply to this message, i just wanted to let you know that this series was truly of the best i have ever read, and i thank you so so much for that. again, if this is the wrong account, i apologize! but the fic was written in 2016, and the author said this was her tumblr account, so i found the best match i could <3

hahahaah it's so funny to me that you would have any doubt that this was me... I still pretty much write endings that people get mad

but thank you so much for caring this much about the story and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!

[nepttunnee]

NOOOOOOOOO FUCKFUCKFUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK NOOOOOOOOO GOD WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY FUCKKK GODDAMNIT SHIT FUCK WHY WHY NOOOOOOO NO NO NO NO FUCKKKK FUCK FUCK FUCK WHY WHY WHYYYY NOOOOOOOO

[reverie-quotes]

This was just the world. You trusted people, you loved them, you offered them the dignity of your time and the intimacy of your thoughts and the fraility of your hope and they either accepted it and cared for it or they rejected it and destroyed it and in the end, none of it was up to you. This was just what you got. Heartbreak was inevitable. Disappointment assured.

— Olivie Blake, The Atlas Paradox

[lillithduskryn]

So, I finished reading Masters of Death by Olivie Blake and was saddened to see that there was only one fanfiction in all of ao3 under the fandom—which led me to thinking; how can a book so incredible not have a bigger fandom? It has everything a queer reader could possibly ask for—inclusivity, a sexually fluid main character, heartbreak, angst, beautifully diverse and colourful side characters, delightfully delicious sexual and romantic tension between characters, an engaging yet simple plot that’s easy to follow and fun to read, and an ending that tied up all loose ends cleanly was SATISFYING. And not to mention the absolute artistry of Olivie Blake’s writing style and the artwork included in the chapters as well as the beginning/end pages. Stunning!

Which kinda leads me to where I��m at now—I had a specific, rated E (NOT for everyone, to clarify; for Explicit), scene stuck in my head after finishing this book, and chose to write it all down! If anyone within the fandom would like to read it, I’m looking for a Beta to read through it and give some critiques and suggestions before I decide to post it to ao3. It’ll be my first fic, and I’m moderately nervous about it if I’m being honest! I only ever write stories and novels about my own characters, and am always nervous about being in character, or maybe a certain scene isn’t how the author envisioned them acting out, or perhaps I got a detail wrong—so on and so forth.

This is, quite honestly, one of the most breathtaking books I have ever read.

[isbahstudio]

🌟 The Atlas Six Characters

I put together little mood boards of all the major Atlas Six characters. This is how I personally imagined each one of them. I also included brief descriptions of their respective powers.

Libby Rhodes

A morally righteous, anxious, and intelligent physicist with the tendency to light things on fire when angry. She controls the various forces of physics and loves learning about space and various physical principles. She also wants to research neurodegenerative conditions as her sister died from one. She has a long standing academic rivalry with Nico De Varona, whom she possibly admires. She may also have feelings for Tristan Caine. Ezra is her ex-boyfriend.

Tristan Caine

A venture capitalist working in a major company called Wessex corp. He has the ability to see atomic structures. Tristan has several dormant powers that he later learns to activate with the help of Nico. He has the most powerful and promising powers of the group as his powers edge on both illusionary and physical. He can manipulate quanta itself and in theory can bend the rules of the universe. He used to be friends with Callum and has a budding love for Libby.

Parisa Kamali

Parisa is a seasoned telepath who can both read minds and communicate mentally. She can dive into the depths of people's minds, even their subconscious. She is known to be very seductive, her past, and future motives remain unclear. She has taken interest in Dalton and often challenges Atlas, who is also a fellow telepath. She sees and hears all. But her mind remains a mystery.

Callum Nova

Sneaky, clever, and detached, Callum sticks out of the group. He is the least liked among his members. Callum can alter and manipulate people's emotional states to make them do his bidding. He has a formidable power in which he can end someone's life without even lifting a finger. Callum is arrogant, self-centered, and sly. But, he is dually complexed and shuts out his feelings in an effort to not feel others' emotions. His motives remain unclear. However, he does lend a hand when his friends are in need.

Nico De Varona

Nico is boyish, playful, and ambitious. He likes to be first. He likes to be a winner. He is likeable and friendly. He is a physicist like Libby. He can also control physical forces. However, he has a proclivity for causing earthquakes in emotional duress. He has a long standing academic rivalry with Libby, possibly some feelings too. However, he also seems to harbor feelings for his best friend Gideon. Nico loves competing and learning.

Reina Mori

Reina is the social recluse. She simply wants to learn and expand her powers. She has nature powers. Reina can hear and talk to plants. She can also manipulate nature into doing her bidding. She has a tremendous amount of energy and often gets used as a battery pack for her peers' magic. Reina is fascinated by Gods and the origins of the universe. She is determined to become a God herself. Reina seems to harbor feelings for Nico, though she has a friendly relationship with Callum. She holds a specific resentment for Parisa.

Atlas Blakely

The elusive and mysterious caretake of the Alexandrian Library and it's society. He used to be friends with Ezra and was a former Alexandrian intiate. Atlas is a powerful telepath on a mission to curate a new world. He harbors many secrets and somehow seems to know everything. Atlas's motives remain unclear.

Ezra Fowler

Ezra is a powerful time traveler and former Alexandrian initiate. He used to be friends with Atlas. Ezra began a resistance group against the Alexandrian Society. He is on a mission to stop Atlas's master plan. Ezra loves Libby, but crosses limits in order to protect her and foil Atlas's grand plan. Ezra is secretive, cunning, and unpredictable. His motives also remain unclear.

Gideon Drake

Gideon is Nico's best friend. He also is in love with Nico. Gideon can travel through people's dreams. He can also communicate through dreams. Gideon is a unique species as he was born from a Mermaid. Gideon is kind, compassionate, friendly, and is a gentle ball of sunshine.

Dalton Ellery

Researcher and assistant to Atlas, Dalton is his wing man. He is privy to many of Atlas's secrets but it careful to keep things under wraps. Dalton is quiet, evasive, and secretive. He is an animator. He can create human-like projections with primitive consciousness. He is currently researching how to create life in it's entirety, complete with a full conscious. He is romantically interested in Parisa. Dalton also harbors a second split identity that is ambitious, sinister, and sly, in his subconscious. He is essentially like Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Well, that is it! I hope you enjoyed this little run down of the Atlas Six characters! @olivieblake

[fairyysoup]

treating my goodreads reviews like letterboxd part 2

[jeanmoreaux]

OH MY GOD DID YOU ALSO NOT LIKE THE ATLAS COMPLEX

no i really REALLY did not djfjgjghfb i had many issues with it; some of them structural and others personal. it just didn’t do what i wanted it or even expected it to do. and reaching the end felt like “what was that?!?!”. when the only emotions a book evokes are frustration and annoyance there is something majorly wrong with it in my opinion. and don’t even get me started on how bored i was. that’s probably the biggest crime of them all.

how about you??? i would love to hear your thoughts!!

[maliha-lili]

i actually do not support the nicolibbygideon throuple solution

[ghostlymakercat]

Sasha 'She leaned forward, lips against his cheek" Write me a tragedy, Lev Fedorov" she wispered to him. " Write me litany of sins. Write me plague of devastation. Write me lonely, write me wanting, write me shattered and fearful and lost. Then write me finding myself in your arms, if only for a night, then write it again. Write it over and over, Lev, until we both know the pages by heart. Isn't that a story too?" ' Antanova

and Lev ' this isn't the story I wanted for us' Fedorov

[olivieblake]

I, my dagger, and my overflowing Tumblr inbox return to chat in reply to asks/reviews/comments in a series of boldly shameless rambles wherein I, Olivie Blake, am not writing. Today's topics include: podfics (3:02), personalized books (5:07), am I retired from dramione (5:35), THE ATLAS COMPLEX translations (6:06), what even is sacred hospitality (6:27), difference between TAC cover colors (7:38), a note on self publishing (authors mentioned: Kennedy Ryan, Katee Robert, Travis Baldree) (8:07), TWELFTH KNIGHT preorder details (12:15), updates on the ta6 tv show (13:06), approaching revision and characterization when you feel those things are difficult (14:26), practical advice for moving back home (23:06), and breaking up in your mid-twenties (28:05).

( + JANUARIES cover, TWELFTH KNIGHT preorder )

[happygirl2oo2]

[tbookblurbs]

The Atlas Paradox - Olivie Blake

2/5 - better than I remember, no real character arcs to speak of, odd character decisions, weak worldbuilding, major second book syndrome

If I had been reviewing this after I read it the first time, this review would have been more harshly critical than this one is about to be. With that in mind, let's begin!

This book feels like it exists to fill time between the first and the third books of the trilogy. And while, in one sense, that's what all second books do, this is by no means a Catching Fire of second books if you catch my drift. A year goes by over the course of this book with an extremely questionable timeline and essentially nothing of note happening. It's not that there isn't plot happening, it's just that the plot is minimal in comparison to the amount of writing.

Some of this problem is due to the way the characters act. It feels as though every character is making decisions out of left field and none of them undergo any significant character arc, with the exception maybe of Reina, who begins to believe in her own divinity. Each character makes choices with no apparent justification or an incredibly overwrought emotional reaction. Reina storms out of a room or scene at least once every time she has a POV chapter. I also did not appreciate Nico and Parisa's hook-up, which appeared to happen just for the sake of something happening between them.

Each of the characters is in their own heads and not really interacting with each other, despite living in the same house, and, frankly, it makes it seems like six small novellas are taking place, rather than one cohesive plot. Characters are cryptic for the sake of being cryptic and wildly dismissive of everyone's abilities as though the entire first book hadn't been spent establishing that each of them are exceptional.

The biggest point of confusion for me was the worldbuilding. I was under the impression this was a magical realism story - a magic world within and alongside an ignorant mortal world. This idea is disproven in this book, with the knowledge of government contracts, but at no point is this every expanded upon. The sudden presence of characters and institutions beyond the Society also throws into sharp relief how little we actually know about the characters. We know them in a setting that places each of them under duress, emotional or physical, and as anyone who has ever functioned under extreme stress can tell you, that is not an accurate depiction of people's actual personalities and behaviors.

Overall, the novel is just lacking. The one character I did want to see more of was Libby, and we only got the barebones of her self-confidence arc. They also basically sacrificed Belen at the altar of ?? something, which to me was a disservice to her character,

[reverie-quotes]

“Do you think they know what it means to love?" his projection-self mused aloud to him. "That it isn't the simple joy of fondness, I mean. In fact it's violent, destructive. It means to cut the heart out of your chest and give it to someone else.”

— Olivie Blake, The Atlas Paradox

[voraciousliterati]

Finished my daily writing exercise. In other news, I'm reading HTWF and it's sooo good. I'm obsessed with how Olivie Blake makes every dialogue exchange snarky af.

[tristancaine]

every time I remember how the atlas trilogy ended I get so angry all over again lmao

[flowered-mp3]

finally finished one for my enemy