The premise of this one was so imaginative and relevant. I did enjoy the book although I felt that maybe it wasn’t directed at me in particular. It was a very smart and well written story: the whole situation made me feel so uncomfortable. This book also made me think about social media and how it impacts us. A really interesting read.

The Atmospherians by Alex McElroy - Interesting premise, but could not finish this book, it fell flat for me.

After making it through the first 85 pages, I decided not to finish this novel. The writing was great, but this book was not meant for me.

I'll be honest as I start this review...I read this book when life was extremely stressed so I had a hard time completing it. I found it to be entertaining regarding the social media aspect. But I do wish I was able to read this when life wasn't so crazy for me. I may pick it up again and try reading it when I can focus more.

“Because the book is just the beginning. The books will evolve into a lifestyle, and the lifestyle will become a phenomenon. And what comes after a phenomenon?” Obviously the Atmospherians - but to what purpose? Fame equals life’s meaning; success equals a model of how to exist. The need to have others know who you are; to have life matter within your lopsided belief of your importance.

Really good writing on a super slippery slope that ultimately was impossible to embrace or care about.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy.

I liked this so much! It’s eery but funny, serious but satirical — McElroy strikes the perfect balance. They tackle a lot of big, heavily discussed topics: cancel culture, wellness trends, the impact of influencers, disordered eating, mob mentality, toxic masculinity, etc., but write about them from a new, dark perspective.

Sasha, a well-known wellness guru, is struggling with the reality of being cancelled when Dyson, her childhood best friend, convinces her to start a cult with him, sweeping her away from one messy situation right into another.

It’s an incredible concept, and it’s expertly executed. The plot is well constructed and the characters feel tragically real. It’s sarcastic, uncomfortable, and sobering — a story that will stick.

"Let's start a cult." Well that's a line to get you hooked. This book takes you through Dyson and Sasha's journey to start The Atmosphere cult. Thinking they can transform to make the world a better place for all... What could go wrong? So many twists in this book and a surprise ending. This is definitely one to check out if cult history is up your reading alley.

Thank you for the copy, I did not particularly like this book, just not in my interest., The whole internet troll thing and emphasis on social media.

Before I started The Atmospherians, all I knew about it was that it’s satire, and that the main character is a “disgraced influencer.” Being a person with a small ~internet presence~, I wondered what I’d gotten myself into (and it didn’t help that she lives in Hoboken, a little too close to me here in downtown Jersey City). In the end, though, this book is a super entertaining read, both comical and uncomfortable, impactful and disquieting.

The main character is named Sasha, and she preached a wellness routine she dubbed “Abandon,” which called for women to literally abandon all wellness products and practices (lol). But a careless comment caused her to plummet, fast, which might even be an understatement. Her former best friend, an actor, shows up and tells her they are going to found a cult dedicated to reforming toxic men, The Atmosphere.

A couple of big trigger warnings here, just FYI: eating disorders and disordered eating (there is graphic, near-reverent description of binging and purging), and suicide.

I thought this was a fun read that hit a little too close to reality (which the best satire does). It’s about not only toxic masculinity but also definitely body image and internet culture, especially influencers. It’s about the parts we play for ourselves and others. Now, I don’t tend to love the experience of reading *dramatic* books (which I know puts me in the minority), so there were times I struggled with it. But that’s definitely a me thing, because Alex McElroy wrote a book that’s smart and effective, and I think it absolutely does all that it intends to do.

This book was something completely different to what I generally read. I was drawn to the blurb and I'm glad I read it. It's a different book. In a very very good way. It makes one think and examine and understand certain things which we know but don't delve into or take seriously.

Sasha is a successful influencer, until an unforeseen tragedy where she is blamed viewer's suicide and that sends her popularity on a downward spiral, turning her into a persona non grata. That's when her old friend, Dyson, approaches her with an opportunity. He wants Sasha to be the face of his planned cult, yes, you had that right... a cult! That cult of course will be disguised as a workshop for men hoping to cure themselves of their toxic masculinity. They will name the cult ‘The Atmosphere’ and the members will be called ‘The Atmopsherians. ‘
Sasha agrees to join Dyson at an abandoned summer camp where they invite a specific number of men.

This book is strange and fun and satirical and really good. It is such a clever tale which in this day and age is rather relevant. The author has done a fantastic job and written a smart funny story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I give this book three and a half stars. It is not a genre I would normally pick up and I am really grateful I had the opportunity to read this. This is definitely one that makes you think about social media, influencers and cults. I can’t say much more without spoilers. The one thing I felt was that the book really just abruptly ended. Though I can’t say how I would’ve liked it to end otherwise. Thank you to Atria books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a story! Although I had a hard time getting into this book it was worth it. The payoff was immensely satisfying. As a millennial who invented the internet and also is a burn out and never was an influencer, I still found this to be a non schadenfreude joyful goodtime.

I love cults and creepy social media books so this was a slam dunk for me. Well written, creepy, thought-provoking.

A dangerous, daring, sometimes frustrating (albeit delightfully) debut -- a terrific internet-novel, a novel that makes sense of (or tears into) the Way We Live Now. Put this and SELF-CARE back to back for a hell of a trip.

- definitely one of the more unique books i’ve read lately
- there were parts of this one that i absolutely loved and parts where i was just kind of meh on
- intense social commentary on topics like toxic masculinity and mob mentality
- thought provoking

This was a very unique novel that didn't necessarily work out for me. ~DNF @ 40%

The concept here was fascinating, a cult that reforms toxic men - but I don't delve into full blown satirical fiction often enough, so that may have been what did me in right from the start. There was just something about the plot, the way the book read that fell kind of flat for me. I kept waiting for something big to happen, & while the commentary was interesting enough to hold my attention for a while, I found myself wandering off often. I never fully connected with either Sasha or Dyson & found a majority of the side characters to be relatively unlikeable, as well. But again, the idea here was great - I think Alex McElroy really has created something unique, it just didn't work out for me, in particular.

I would still read more work written by them in the future & would recommend this for fans of satirical fiction, but again, just really wasn't for me. Thank you so much Alex McElroy & Atria for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. (2.5)

Really wanted to love this book, which thematically was right up my alley. Satire? Poking fun at traditional masculinity and wellness influencers? Count me IN. Unfortunately, though, I just didn’t find it especially funny….which is problematic for a satire. I applaud the author for what they were trying here (which was pretty ambitious!) but ultimately it just didn’t strike the right notes for me, satirically or sartorially.

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. I liked the beginning and felt it started out strongly. I struggled from there, however. I found the characters extremely unlikeable and struggled with the plot. I will say that I was very well written though and clearly the author is very talented. I would definitely try another from them in the future.

I received a free electronic ARC of this satirical novel from Netgalley, Alex McElroy, and Atria Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

I had a rough time getting into the rhythm of this tale - I felt the story was at times disjointed and in places contradictory. The premise of the story was intriguing though and a very interesting idea that caught my fancy. Most of the male characters are caricatures of the macho man we so hope to not encounter and the 'schooling' provided at The Atmosphere almost a dream come true. This will make you thank goodness there are still a few fellows out there that have already seen the light.

I went into this book without any expectation as this is not my comfort genre, but am pleasantly surprised to see how much I enjoyed this story! This book is very humorously written satirical story about two friends who defies the norm to form a cult to change the men. It shows how much power social media can hold on how it can be used to change the mindset!

This amazingly written book of dark humor with a great message has my vote of approval and I highly recommended it. This book releases on May 18, so go ahead and get a copy for yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Thank you @atriabooks and @netgalley for the gifted Shaley in exchange of my honest review!