The Atlas Six – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Atlas Six

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

64%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Six magical geniuses trapped in a high-stakes group project where the loser doesn't just fail—they get eliminated.

The Atlas Six

book

2020

64%

WISE Score

4.1

Amazon

Six magical geniuses trapped in a high-stakes group project where the loser doesn't just fail—they get eliminated.

4.1

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Screenwise Verdict

The Atlas Six is the ultimate 'vibe' book. If your kid is into the TikTok-fueled world of Dark Academia, they’ve probably already heard of it.

It's smart, it's moody, and it's very much for older teens and adults. Don't let the 'magic school' premise fool you into thinking this is a Harry Potter clone. It’s much more like a high-IQ version of a reality TV show where everyone is trying to stab each other in the back while discussing entropy.

It’s a bit pretentious, and the plot can get lost in the characters' own internal monologues, but for the right reader, it’s a total obsession. Just be aware of the 'New Adult' label—the steamier scenes are definitely there.

Age Fit

This is strictly for the 16+ crowd. It deals with adult themes, explicit relationships, and a level of cynicism that might just feel like 'brain rot' to younger readers who still want their heroes to be good guys.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The plot is built on a foundation of betrayal and manipulation. These aren't 'power of friendship' characters; they are rivals forced into a room where one of them eventually has to be eliminated. It's emotionally heavy and cynical.

Imaginative

The magic system is genuinely clever, focusing on physics, time, and thought-manipulation rather than just waving wands. The setting—a secret library containing the lost knowledge of Alexandria—is a total 'Dark Academia' dream.

Safe

This is 'New Adult' fiction, not YA. It contains explicit sexual content and scenes of violence. While it's a book and lacks the 'surprise' factor of a movie scene, the themes of premeditated murder and toxic relationships are mature.

Enriching

It tackles some heavy philosophical questions about the cost of power and the ethics of hoarding knowledge. It's intellectually stimulating, even if the prose gets a bit too full of itself sometimes.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The magic system is grounded in physics and logic, making it feel more 'hard sci-fi' than typical fantasy.
Perfect for teens who love the 'Dark Academia' aesthetic—think rainy libraries, old books, and secret societies.
The character dynamics are incredibly tense; you never quite know who is playing whom.

⚠

What to Watch For

There are explicit sex scenes that definitely push this out of the 'Middle Grade' or 'Young YA' category.
Almost every character is a 'villain' in their own way, which can be exhausting if you're looking for a hero to root for.
The writing style is famously polarizing—some call it 'immaculate,' others find it pretentious and a bit of a slog.

Conversation Starters

"If you were in the Society, which of the six characters would you trust the least?"
"Is it ever okay to hoard life-saving knowledge if it keeps that knowledge safe from people who would abuse it?"
"Do you think the characters' powers reflect their personalities, or did their powers shape who they became?"

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