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lillanaa's review against another edition
5.0
As this is three books in one, this review will be treated as such, similar to how I've done this with other books that combine trilogies or series into one.
Annihiliation
This book is so odd, and I'm still reeling from it even a bit after reading. Having never seen the movie or read any of his other books, I feel as though this is either the best way or the most interesting way to become acquainted with Vandermeer's work. Depending on his other works, though, this may be the start of a very interesting journey. The atmosphere makes the store over the characters, and the one built here is jarring and uncomfortable, created solely to unsettle the reader as much as it does the characters within. There's something almost dreamlike abbout how this is written, as though through a fog, and that's what makes it so different from everything else I've ever read. The horror elements within stick out even more because of the self-censorship from the viewpoint character, bringing everything together in the end. This was such an experience, through and through.
Authority
The change here is startling, one that I wasn't expecting. Control as a character is very jarring when you compare him to The Biologist from the first novel, and there's something extremely uncomfortable throughout this whole book; even moreso from the last one. No details are missed, and the underlying tone of paranoia is one that seeps through to the reader. I still wouldn't necessarily consider this a horror until close to the end, but that's not a bad thing. There's a tone throughout of wanting to leave, wanting to escape, and I was absolutely not expecting things to end like that. It definitely drags at points compared to the first, but that could just be middle book syndrome talking.
Acceptance
This is by far the treat out of the series for me, explanations galore with the sense of dread and underlying tone being bleak and intense without feeling overwhelming. There aren't necessarily full answers, but there's something that feels like resolution here. Not finality, but a tone of ending in a fantastic way. This is the one that had me the most interested the entire way through, the stories of characters weaving together in a way that felt solid and engaging, and I would recommend this one the highest out of the three solely for writing alone. The fear feels real, and it definitely feels the strongest.
Annihiliation
This book is so odd, and I'm still reeling from it even a bit after reading. Having never seen the movie or read any of his other books, I feel as though this is either the best way or the most interesting way to become acquainted with Vandermeer's work. Depending on his other works, though, this may be the start of a very interesting journey. The atmosphere makes the store over the characters, and the one built here is jarring and uncomfortable, created solely to unsettle the reader as much as it does the characters within. There's something almost dreamlike abbout how this is written, as though through a fog, and that's what makes it so different from everything else I've ever read. The horror elements within stick out even more because of the self-censorship from the viewpoint character, bringing everything together in the end. This was such an experience, through and through.
Authority
The change here is startling, one that I wasn't expecting. Control as a character is very jarring when you compare him to The Biologist from the first novel, and there's something extremely uncomfortable throughout this whole book; even moreso from the last one. No details are missed, and the underlying tone of paranoia is one that seeps through to the reader. I still wouldn't necessarily consider this a horror until close to the end, but that's not a bad thing. There's a tone throughout of wanting to leave, wanting to escape, and I was absolutely not expecting things to end like that. It definitely drags at points compared to the first, but that could just be middle book syndrome talking.
Acceptance
This is by far the treat out of the series for me, explanations galore with the sense of dread and underlying tone being bleak and intense without feeling overwhelming. There aren't necessarily full answers, but there's something that feels like resolution here. Not finality, but a tone of ending in a fantastic way. This is the one that had me the most interested the entire way through, the stories of characters weaving together in a way that felt solid and engaging, and I would recommend this one the highest out of the three solely for writing alone. The fear feels real, and it definitely feels the strongest.
travisclau's review against another edition
4.0
A tour-de-force in all the best of ways for speculative/science fiction. Reading this in the face of climate change (and its deniers) is haunting -- Vandermeer captures a magic, an animacy of a non-human world that flies in the face of our continued egotism of the anthropocene (are humans really the key players at all?). Area X could entirely be the world we inhabit if we know how to look at it, and Vandermeer teaches us this slowly, menacingly, without forgiveness -- lines in his prose will linger as they will beg questions that bloom into more.
diegobrando's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dale_in_va's review against another edition
2.0
I leave this series feeling unsatisfied and the story never really feels resolved in my eyes. However, the idea of the mystery and how it unfolds is fascinating. The characters in the book are interesting and engaging and wonderfully non-conforming. So if there is anything to appreciate in these novels it is the characters. I personally felt more empathy for the biologist than for Control, who I thought was a bit of model of upper class privilege.
So, my general feelings was eh... not a waste, but I wouldn't have really missed this novel if I hadn't read it.
So, my general feelings was eh... not a waste, but I wouldn't have really missed this novel if I hadn't read it.
kimberley353's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
nicovivi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
caitblg's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
winlei's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I’ve read the Southern Reach Trilogy before , own the original cover physical copies and was mind-blown by how utterly unique and fascinating the sci fi world Vandermeer built was.
It was just as good the second time through with the audiobook experience of three novels compiled into one compelling saga. Such a hard series to recommend but if it’s for you, it’ll completely suck you in. You just have to be comfortable being uncomfortable and confused.
The 3-phrase vibe review:
It was just as good the second time through with the audiobook experience of three novels compiled into one compelling saga. Such a hard series to recommend but if it’s for you, it’ll completely suck you in. You just have to be comfortable being uncomfortable and confused.
The 3-phrase vibe review:
- Science fiction on acid
- Micro-dosing alien shenanigans
- Government in which bureaucracy reigns supreme and democracy is a pipe dream.
terriblysublime's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Beautiful, long, flowery (no pun intended) descriptions. I would recommend for high brow, contemplative sci fi fans. Be prepared for A LOT of slow buildup, making it feel like the action is very few and far between.