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sunnyphantic's review against another edition
3.0
I don't have too much to say that wouldn't spoil the book, unfortunately.
The Meh: The protagonist is rather one-dimensional, and her background uninteresting until halfway through the novel. Maybe that's part of the point? The nature of the Tower itself is also not particularly frightening or horrific, even though it's one of the big "cosmic horrors" in the novel. The climax of the novel is a bit underwhelming in my opinion.
The Good: The characters and their interactions were engaging and interesting, and did a lot of world-building on their own. Speaking of, the world-building and descriptions were extremely interesting, and the narrator's voice was consistent throughout. I enjoyed her voice and descriptions of the environment and external events. I am invested in whatever the hell is going on here. The other horrors are tasty and intriguing, definitely going to be thinking about them for a while. I found the protagonist a little more rounded near the end.
Cool Themes: Government™, othering, nonhuman life being as complex as ours, assimilation, what are we as individuals anyway
I didn't think I would want to read the second book of the trilogy, but I do!
The Meh: The protagonist is rather one-dimensional, and her background uninteresting until halfway through the novel. Maybe that's part of the point? The nature of the Tower itself is also not particularly frightening or horrific, even though it's one of the big "cosmic horrors" in the novel. The climax of the novel is a bit underwhelming in my opinion.
The Good: The characters and their interactions were engaging and interesting, and did a lot of world-building on their own. Speaking of, the world-building and descriptions were extremely interesting, and the narrator's voice was consistent throughout. I enjoyed her voice and descriptions of the environment and external events. I am invested in whatever the hell is going on here. The other horrors are tasty and intriguing, definitely going to be thinking about them for a while. I found the protagonist a little more rounded near the end.
Cool Themes: Government™, othering, nonhuman life being as complex as ours, assimilation, what are we as individuals anyway
I didn't think I would want to read the second book of the trilogy, but I do!
gizmotoy's review against another edition
I should have bailed on this one sooner, but I realized I had stopped reading anything at all just so I didn’t have to finish this one.
The concept is fascinating, and while not usually one to want everything spelled out for them, this was essentially non-stop “what in the world is going on?” Perhaps there’s eventually a clue or description, but it wasn’t worth finishing to find out.
The concept is fascinating, and while not usually one to want everything spelled out for them, this was essentially non-stop “what in the world is going on?” Perhaps there’s eventually a clue or description, but it wasn’t worth finishing to find out.
vouija's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
lgodorizzi's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
sprit's review against another edition
3.75
Was I confused pretty much the whole time? Yes.
Was it still a deeply engaging story with fantastic prose? Also yes.
I do wish there was a slower decent into the weirdness of the plot because I was honestly enjoying them just doing science stuff.
Overall fun read and I’m excited for the next installment the series!
Was it still a deeply engaging story with fantastic prose? Also yes.
I do wish there was a slower decent into the weirdness of the plot because I was honestly enjoying them just doing science stuff.
Overall fun read and I’m excited for the next installment the series!
jacoblannen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It became obvious to me very quickly that this book was going to become a favourite. I found the Biologist to be very charming in her own way and the overarching mystery of the book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
whiskyandoreos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
zgonzale's review against another edition
5.0
A work of exquisite creativity & maddening fascination, Annihilation is a dazzling and hypnotic work that explores the magnificent power of both nature & myth. Despite the sometimes-dragging prose, the setting of the novel and mysteries it contain captured me in a death grip it refused to relinquish. The imagination with which this novel is drafted is exquisite and captivating, and I would go as far as to classify this book as both sci-fi and horror. The story summoned in me a fear and disquiet that no other work has been able to conjure in a long time, one of the most haunting books I have ever read. In all, a fascinating read that will swallow you whole and absolutely annihilate your ability to think about anything else.