The premise of this novel captured my attention, but I'm afraid the execution didn't quite live up to expectations. Sasha Marcus is an influencer rising in fame when a reply to a social media troll gets her blacklisted by pretty much everyone. Her childhood best friend, Dyson, shows up and recruits her for a project that is essentially a cult to "reform" men poisoned with toxic masculinity. There is so much that is absurd about this story, like the mysterious "man hordes" plaguing the nation, but it doesn't quite tie together. It's clear that Dyson's personal experiences and traumas play into his desire to create The Atmosphere, and I would have liked to see that explored a bit more. I think it could have been useful to do so in further questioning toxic masculinity. While mostly entertaining, this book just didn't hit the mark for me.

“‘So you’re abandoning me? Tossing me overboard to the sharks?” I made grotesque sucking and biting sounds. “Do you hear that? That’s the sound of the sharks eating me whole.’”

Sasha Marcus is mortified with everything going on in her life. Just recently a social media star who ran a wellness brand for women, everything fell down when she responded to one troll...with devastating consequences. Now, most of the world hates her, there are people camped outside of her apartment shouting death threats, and she is fired from her waitressing job.

She has been abandoned...

...Until her best friend, Dyson, comes to her with a brilliant idea. They are going to start a cult. The name of the cult is The Atmosphere, and it will consist of rehabbing white men with toxic masculinity. The men are called The Atmospherians.

Unfortunately, Sasha and Dyson don’t have any experience as cult leaders, and there are many unfortunate incidents that take place.

One thing is clear to Sasha: “I didn’t become a cult leader to be kind.” She did out of desperation after hitting rock bottom.

I’m the kind of person who hears the word cult, and almost always says, “Nope. Not interested.” However, this one sounded different...and it was. This book is satirical and smartly absurd, and I had a great deal of fun reading it. Sasha and her thoughts made me chuckle on more than one occasion. The novel is layered with serious commentary on eating disorders, mob mentality, and toxic behavior.

Unfortunately, the books feels a bit less satirical around the 85% mark. The tone is a different, and much less compelling to me as someone who is not a fan of cult stories.

All in all, it’s an impressive debut by Alex McElroy that kept me hooked and entertained for the majority of it.

3.5 stars

TW: Semi-graphic commentary on eating disorders, and brief animal cruelty (Thankfully, it’s not graphic or elongated).

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for sending a widget in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published: 5/18/2021.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

Thank you to both NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of Alex McElroy’s literary fiction novel, The Atmospherians, in exchange for an honest review.

The Atmospherians is a satirical commentary on how mass media impacts modern society and the perils of gender stereotypes. Though it is so much more than that—in retrospect, the novel is a critique on a vast array of contemporary topics (e.g., #cancelculture) and the way in which society reacts to them.

This book is not for readers who are easily offended as it touches on some taboo subjects, such as eating disorders, suicide, and sexism. However, the author employs a masterful level of subtly in describing sensitive subjects, so if you are conflicted on whether to read it or not, I highly encourage you to swallow any of your misgivings.

Meet Sasha Marcus, a former lifestyle wellness guru who was on the brink of stardom when a hostile response to one of her stalker followers resulted in detrimental consequences. She is immediately catapulted to pariah status and is attacked by a daily barrage of death threats; both online and in real life. No one will take her calls, not even her rock star ex-boyfriend who blames her for damaging his reputation or her opportunistic business partner who uses Sasha's demise to launch a smear campaign against her and to bolster her own career. (Note: while none of the characters are redeemable, Cassandra was particularly irksome).

Two days after the scandal erupts, her best friend from childhood shows up at her front door, cupcake in hand, on her 29th birthday. Meet Dyson Layne, a failed actor with a host of body issues, stemming from childhood and his verbally abusive now deceased father. Dyson, in an attempt to regain fame and clear Sasha’s name, devises a plan to save society from the increasing phenomenon of “man hordes". Dyson believes if they can rid white men of their toxic masculinity traits, then they can prevent future generations from inheriting them, which in turn, will make him world-famous.

Trials and tribulations ensue as their plan to build “The Atmospherians” cult goes terribly awry. The story alternates between the past and the present through flashbacks, and is scattered with a handful of Sasha’s notes, lists, and questionnaires that expose her feelings about their cult and its members.

I finished this book in a matter of hours and struggled to identify why I liked it so much. The writing is great, but the characters are unlikeable and the subject matter is depressing, yet somehow altogether it works. It is funny, engaging, and thought-provoking, and I will be genuinely shocked if it does not appear on several “2021 must-read” lists.

This one missed the mark for me. I loved where the author was trying to go, but I just couldn't connect to the main character the way i needed to. It felt a bit drawn out. I enjoyed the commentary on toxic masculinity and social media culture. but it's just not something I would gravitate toward.

This book was interesting.
You've got Sasha,a disgraced influencer and Dyson, her former bff from high school. Dyson starts a cult and gets Sasha to join him as a leader. The cult is for white men to teach them how to be better and less basic white men?!
Sasha whines the entire book, but is made to lead a cult. Dyson needs a cult to come help him because he's no shape to be looked up to.
This book is ripe full of satire and the things people do when others are looking.

I keep going back and forth with if I liked it or not. It's like Amber Tamblyn's Any Man, but with the influencer aspects of Follow Me by Kathleen Barber. It's it's own thing, but with pieces of others. It's made me think a lot, but I also hated it because it seemed so realistic 🤷🏻‍♀️

Intrigued? Read The Atmospherians

Wow. Spoiler alert: I loved this book SO much. Thank you #NetGalley for the advance reader copy, because I predict this one is going to be on 2021's list of "must reads". It's fascinating to come out at this point in the world, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The Atmospherians centers around Sasha Marcus -a social media "influencer" riding high with tons of followers for creating a wellness brand that essentially espouses that women just chuck all their beauty products, follow a strict diet and don't drink (which she doesn't exactly follow herself). An encounter with an online troll has stunning consequences and the once exalted Sasha hemorrhages followers, is fired from her "day job" as a restaurant hostess and is targeted by a group of men's rights protestors so much so that she barricades in herself in her apartment (on the precipice of eviction).

It's important to note that whenever this story takes place (it feels like it's just a few years in the future) groups of "men hordes" are occurring all over the country. These hordes - mostly white men - are inexplicably drawn together and almost as if they are under a spell, do everything from break into homes and fixing up gardens to violently attacking people and slashing their tires. They are unpredictable and definitely impacting society.

Enter Sasha's oldest childish best friend Dyson. Dyson had his 15 minutes of fame himself, but is now struggling himself, including struggling with long time body issues. He approaches Sasha with a plan to get her life back on track, moving to an abandoned summer camp his family owns and rehabilitating "horde" men to get them to follow a completely made up and stringent program to rid of them of their toxic masculinity. They call it The Atmospherians, and what transpires there is horrific and cultish.

The story is so fascinating - it puts such a spotlight on the impacts of social media on society, on mental health and the domino effect of it all. I recommend it to anyone who likes a dark, wickedly funny book that holds up a mirror to our potential future.

I truly enjoyed reading The Atmospherians, but I can't really identify exactly why. The story is incredibly well written and compelling, but it's quite depressing, actually. Social media has made a pariah of Sasha, and her best old friend, Dyson, sort of rescues her from the mess her life has become, only to entrap her into another difficult life. This book is about cults, and men who look to peers to redeem them from lives gone wrong. It's about Sasha and her survival and how her personal freedom is negatively affected by her choices in interpersonal relationships and social media.

I'm not sure who the target audience is for this story. I suppose I would recommend it to those who may have not considered the ramifications of a life lived online for all to view and critique. And for those who may see a cult as a saving grace from the real world. And how those two lifestyles intersect.

I love a dark, sorta-like-this-world-but-not dystopian feminist tale... and this wasn't exactly that. While I find the narrative a big choppy, with some potholes (and plotholes) along the way, I was definitely intrigued by the world. It's not mysterious, even though it does seem to want to be at times... it's mostly a deeply sad, introspective take on the modern (or near-future) world. I read it fast and with relish, but I'm not quite sure what I've taken from it since closing the cover.

This is a funny, disturbing social satire about social media, fame, cancel culture, cults, and political correctness. I didn’t think any of the characters were very sympathetic, but I think that was the point. The concept of “man hordes” is hilarious, but also a little too believable these days! I can’t decide if I actually enjoyed this book, but it is thought-provoking and very well done. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC for review.

A disgraced influencer. A cult. Man hordes. I didn't know quite what to expect when I picked up The Atmospherians, but I quickly dove in.

Sasha is reeling after a harsh comment on social media lands her in the light of blame after the death of a male follower. Losing everything she's built, she receives an offer from her long-time best friend Dyson to start a cult. Their goal? To help men get in touch with their feelings, to damper the aggression, and to help solve the rising social issue of "man hordes" that are inexplicably popping up all over the country. With nothing left to lose, Sasha agrees, but The Atmosphere proves to be more than she signed up for.

I really enjoyed this book.

Right off the bat, I will say it is satirical, so if you're going into this thinking it's a light-hearted examination of a fallen influencer's path to redemption, you might be surprised. This read more like a Black Mirror episode to me, the kind of social commentary that simultaneously feels entertaining yet disconcerting. From her influencer lifestyle to her rise in The Atmosphere, we're given the curtain, what's behind the curtain, and everything the curtain's made of. Her voice is sarcastic, blunt, and oftentimes unrepentant. Her friendship with Dyson is a mixture of wanting to fit in, no other option, and the strange sense of loyalty that develops when you've known someone for a long time.

The commentary is what will really stick with you, though. This is a book that will make you think about the things you say. How you say them. The impact of words. At the same time, you'll question the self-help paradigms and the system that's set up to exploit the weaknesses of the vulnerable.

There are also some pretty *TW eating disorders* intense moments featuring bingeing and purging, and while I can't say I liked this (in the same way I can't say I liked reading about cooking babies in order to solve Ireland's hunger issue) I thought McElroy's handling of the subject and the purpose of including the Emptying Out in The Atmosphere is relevant--not voyeuristic or glorified.

Overall, The Atmospherians is a smart, dense, satirical read that will leave you questioning the role of social media in our lives, the availability of social media apologies and censorship, the veil of celebrity, and the impact our physical relationships have in shaping future relationships. I'd recommend to fans of Black Mirror, Klaus' formation of the cult in Umbrella Academy (Dyson actually reminds me of that character quite a bit, at times) and anyone looking for a literary mystery with social commentary.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

Sasha's friend Dyson decides to start a cult, and convinces Sasha to go along with him. The thing is, Sasha is very good at being a cult leader, even when she is not trying. As time passes, she struggles with the repercussions of her actions.

I found my enjoyment of the story rising and falling. At times it was very engrossing, and then I would hit a slower part and start to get bored. It was interesting reading about the founding of a cult from the leader's perspective. I liked Sasha as a character, but hated just about everyone around her. She is surrounded by shallow, self absorbed people. Maybe that is the point.

My favorite part was when Sasha was recruited by DAM, another cult-like organization that had a utopian vibe. I am fascinated with people trying to create the perfect society. And seeing the cracks appearing in the foundation.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4 It's An Onion Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
My dad taught me a phrase that has stayed with me over all these years. He used to say, "Oh, he's kidding on the square". This little phrase works perfectly with this book because, with the onion reference for all the layers, "kidding on the square" is the partner in crime when thinking about all that happens.

This is a sarcastic flavored, yet insightful look at social media and the power it holds over those who follow it without limits. It shows the quick highs and lows of "Followers" and the power of what words can do. It highlights how ugly toxic norms have played out over generations, and looks to see if the blind following that is ugly can be redirected into something good.

Smart concepts.

I was invited by the publisher to read this book. It wasn't something I would typically read on my own, however, I did enjoy it for the most part.

I liked the social media/cult aspect of the book but it did drag on during parts making it hard for me to connect.
If you enjoy reading satire, you will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced ebook copy.

I received a copy of THE ATMOSPHERIANS by ALEX McELROY. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

FOUR Stars and here’s why:

I loved this concept and this book. Male toxicity is one of those topics that a reader will either embrace a discussion or rally against one. In either case, it’s a very timely subject in today’s global climate. What I enjoyed the most about the author’s approach was infusing wit and intelligence into telling Sasha and Dyson’s story. But what kept me turning the pages in a total book hangover, was the exploration of love, friendship, and the will to persevere despite everything. I was riveted by this book from start to finish.

Highly recommend.

Sorry, Not my cup of tea. I represent older readers (70-90) from several groups and this book would not appeal to them. I only read a small amount but did not pursue.....

This was a very well written satire of life as we know it. Sasha is/was a blogger who was loved and admired by her many followers. One, a married pastor, frequently wrote inappropriate comments to her which she reported on Social Media. They would ban him briefly and he would return and repeat. She finally, in a moment of disgust and frustration, told him the world would be better off with him dead. He responded by telling the world about what she said and then killing himself on line. Her sponsors, followers, friends, etc., all abandoned her and began harassing her in any way possible. She linked up with her only remaining friend, Dyson, to open The Atmospherians a cult in which men are retrained to behave in a different way than was socially expected. This is the story of how they did that and their missteps along the way. Wonderful reading for anyone who enjoys satire. Thanks to Net Galley and Atria for an ARC for an honest review.

I absolutely love this book about a toxic male community. This book is extremely entertaining and extremely relevant as well. I love the characters. I highly recommend

Cults will grab my attention any time they are mentioned in a book description. And Atmospherians is first a foremost a book about a cult, a most unusual kind of a cult, a gender specific culture specific cult dedicated to reformation of white men. Or maybe Atmospherians is first and foremost a book about dressing toxic masculinity. Or maybe Atmospherians is a satire about the deleterious effects of social media on society and individuals.
That’s just the thing, this book works on so many levels. And yet in the end it, strangely enough, leaves you pondering what exactly was the moral there. The book says so much and so trenchantly, it’s quite uncertain if it plays its themes for laughs or has a more profound and darker message.
It’s quite possibly the most significant and subversive book on masculinity, whether toxic of disenfranchised, since Fight Club. Much like Fight Club, it proposes an absolutely wild, out there method of dealing with the situation…and, despite its many rules, you can indeed talk about it, so let’s…
To be an effective book about men, this one is led by a woman. A disgraced social media personality who, through one misstep in the otherwise burgeoning career, suddenly finds herself persona non grata with her bf, her bff, her followers, etc. The public being a fickle beat goes from adoration to animosity quickly enough to give Sasha a whiplash and, alienated and with no viable options, she agrees to join her childhood friend Dyson to help his realize his dream of creating a cult for men who struggle. And apparently the struggle is real, men have been joining up with other men and raging out in the most random ways, from good deeds to violence, all performed in an aggressive collective manner.
Dyson’s approach is intensive labor and talk therapy, the goal is to mellow the men out, take away the traditional socially imposed male values, let them learn to cry, etc. So, a form on nonchemical castration, if you will. And while Sasha may not be as completely devoted to the program as Dyson is, her name grabs the media attention and puts her in the de facto leadership position.
So this is a story of a selfhelp guru, attention junkie, reluctant leader of the washed up desperate men. This is a story of a culture with tragically warped values, exaggerated to hyperbolic absurdity to highlight the inherent ugliness of socially imposed unrealistic expectations, met or unmet. It’s clever, it’s cutting, it says all the right things about the performative culture of the self constructed self constricting narrative and the cost of success. Actually, the very definition of success in such an atmosphere. It’s a very timely, a very now sort of a read, a satire of not inconsiderable immediacy. A funhouse mirror angled just right.
And yet…there’s something about it that prevented me from outright loving it. It’s almost too vicious for a satire at times, the message delivered on a blade not a platter, and though far be it for me to accuse this of misandrism, it’s certainly in the neighborhood.
And sure, white men have had it coming for years and sure it’s all fun and games as per satire genre commands, but the entire production is just so polarizing and angry. Or at least it can seem that way. Suffice it to say, this isn’t a manifesto for the disenfranchised white men nor are they the targeted audience. In fact, in that way, this is very much the opposite of Fight Club. And at any rate, comparisons aside, it’s plenty interesting on its own and very well written. I was completely engaged with the narrative despite not being especially engaged or enamored with the characters, which is no small feat for a book to manage. So yeah, I enjoyed this book very much. Potent millennial themes through and through, but different, original and interesting. Plus plenty entertaining and dynamic. Plus cults. Recommended. Thank Netgalley.

This was a smart, razor-sharp book that I thoroughly got sucked into. Sasha and Dyson feel like people I’ve known. The mastery of emotions and knowledge of traditional masculinity were so timely that I couldn’t believe that the author doesn’t own a crystal ball! This book was incisively intelligent and a damn good time to read. I’d love to see more from this author! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc in exchange for my honest opinion. It’s a great story, check it out!