The Atlas Complex

While The Atlas Complex is a fantasy novel, along with the prior two entries in the series, it is also an example of the genre known as dark academia. The term “dark academia” gained prominence online on social media platforms. While works considered part of the genre can include literary and speculative fiction, they all have a distinctive aesthetic characterized by their emphasis on academia, classical literature, and a somber tone. The setting often revolves around prestigious educational institutions such as Ivy League universities or secluded boarding schools, which serve as the backdrop for intellectual pursuits, secret societies, and forbidden romances. Moreover, dark academia narratives frequently explore themes of obsession, existentialism, moral ambiguity, and the pursuit of knowledge at any cost. Thematically, works in the genre examine the complexities of human nature, alienation, disillusionment, and the tension between tradition and rebellion. Early examples include The Secret History (1992) by Donna Tartt and Dead Poets Society (1988) by N. H. Kleinbaum. More recent examples, besides the Atlas trilogy, include Ninth House (2019) by Leigh Bardugo and A Deadly Education (2020) by Naomi Novak. For many readers, the appeal of dark academia lies in its use of nostalgia for bygone eras, romanticization of academia, and focus on themes of moral dilemmas and the consequences of ambition.