✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Stella Atrium And Netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the very first pages, The Matrix Opal swept me into a sprawling, high‑stakes dystopian world that pulses with tribal politics, mysticism, and unforgettable characters. Stella Atrium doesn’t just write science fiction—she crafts living, breathing cultures, complete with their own languages, rituals, and raw emotional tension.

🌍 Vivid, Anthropological Worldbuilding
Atrium excels at creating worlds that feel shaped by history and hardship. The political intricacies of Dolvia—from clan feuds to resistance movements—unfold around Ariseng and Bybiis, making every decision feel vital and dangerous

✨ Protagonists Who Resonate
Ariseng, a young woman from the whispering people, is fierce, intelligent, and emotionally resonant. Her ritual scene with the Matrix Opal—where magic and pain intertwine—left me spellbound with its spiritual intensity. Bybiis, the seasoned beastmaster marked by devastating tattoos, offers a gripping study in resilience and trauma. Watching her reclaim agency was powerful and unforgettable

💡 Ambitious Themes, Political Nuance
This isn’t escapist sci‑fi. It probes power, identity, colonialism, and cultural erasure without shying away from discomfort. Atrium confronts these themes head‑on, often unsettling the reader—and all the more meaningful for it

The Matrix Opal is an impressively original series launch—bold, thoughtful, and unforgettable. If you crave layered dystopian stories with female protagonists who forge their identities in fierce defiance, Shade‑and‑steel politics, and a blend of mysticism and survival, this is a must‑read.

I’m giving it four thrilling stars and can’t wait to see where Atrium takes us next in the Duchy Wars series.

The Matrix Opal is a compelling dystopian novel. Each chapter unfolds a whirlwinds of emotion through the reader. It was difficult to put it down after getting past the harder parts for me in the beginning. The story depicts a world of destruction, treachery, betrayal, and discovery. Well-suited to young adults interested in science fiction.

Cool Concept, a Bit Confusing

The Matrix Opal has a super creative idea—there’s this mysterious gemstone that can bend reality, and a group of teens gets caught up in a wild adventure trying to figure out its secrets. There’s action, some sci-fi twists, and a lot of “wait, what just happened?” moments that kept me curious.

The main character is easy to root for, and the friendships are a nice touch. I liked the mix of tech and magic—it felt like The Matrix meets Percy Jackson with a sprinkle of Stranger Things. But sometimes the story got a little too complicated, and I had to reread parts to understand what was going on.

Still, it’s a fun ride if you’re into mysterious powers, secret organizations, and saving the world. Just be ready to keep up!

Thank you so much NetGalley Stella Atrium Writes LLC for this ARC!

<b>𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕩 𝕆𝕡𝕒𝕝</b>
<b>4/5 stars</b>

<p><i>Thank you to NetGalley and Book Buzz for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!</i></p> <p><i>Complex world, ambitious scope, and a voice that didn’t quite click for me, but I totally see the draw.</i></p> <p>This book is <b>big</b>in ideas, in worldbuilding, and in the web of political and magical forces shaping its characters. We follow Ariseng, a girl pulled from her forest home and thrust into a resistance movement, with the condition that she must carry the powerful Matrix Opal. I loved the classic feel of it, the rebellion, and powerplays. </p> <p>But… the <b>writing style</b> threw me off. It’s in <i>first person</i>, but often reads more like it should be <i>third</i>. There’s a distance in the narration that made me feel like I was being <i>told</i> the story, instead of living it. Pair that with some uneven pacing and I struggled to stay immersed even when I wanted badly wanted to be.</p> <blockquote> “A girl from the forest must carry the opal, or the rebels won’t have her.”</blockquote> <p>That said, I can absolutely understand why some readers are loving this. It’s smart, politically layered, and feels like the beginning of something <i>huge</i>. </p> <p><b>Final Thoughts:</b><br>Intriguing and intelligent, but not my perfect fit. Still, I’ll be watching what comes next.</p>