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sophieamreacher's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Utterly bizarre, I felt like I was being hypnotised myself. Really interesting plot, characters and concept. The writing was intriguing and kept me feeling disorientated like the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Violence, Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Cancer, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Alcohol, Abandonment, Grief, and Gun violence
samdalefox's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Incredibly disappointing after the first book. For the first 10% of the audiobook I actually quite liked the change in perspective, I thought it would be interesting to gain insight into the authority and researchers behind area X. But no, what this book is instead is a steady stream of conciousness from the new Director of the Southern Reach (John Rodriguez/Control). We only get small, unsatisfying, tidbits about area X that neither inform or grow the mystery, only frustrate the reader (in a bad way). We get long winded descriptions of the Director's daily habits that do not build suspense, only boredom. He frequently over anaylses and describes things by what they are not, rather than what they are, which is infuriating. We get no substantial insight into the 'authority' of the Southern Reach. Where there is any possibility for an insteresting sub-plot, it is completely forgotten about e.g., Whitby's artwork or the plant, mouse, and mobile phone.
At over double the length of 'Annihilation', I frankly don't see why this book is justifiable, or even necessary at all. I guessed the indicators of theings going awry e.g., the rotting honey smell, the doppelganger biologist, the voice using hypnotic control and did not find any of the story's 'revelations' shocking e.g., Control's fieldwork fuck up, the old Director returning, or the area X border advancing/breaching. Overall, this is mostly useless filler story, I will however read the final installment with high hopes of a better ending since the first book was so excellent.
At over double the length of 'Annihilation', I frankly don't see why this book is justifiable, or even necessary at all. I guessed the indicators of theings going awry e.g.,
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, and Murder
falltumn's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
madarauchiha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
โค๏ธ ๐งก ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ my about / byf / CW info carrd: uchiha-madara ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐งก โค๏ธ
Ah. I accidentally read this after reading the third and final book. Well. I'd have to say it's kinda maybe the weakest in the series. Not that it's poorly written, just that maybe it doesn't need to exist, per se. It does feel like backstory for the third and final book, but then again you could vice versa that sentiment.
While Annihilation takes place inside Area X, Authority preexists just outside, after the first books expedition. The bureaucratic side isn't any less chaotic and suffocating. You'll want answers, and you will want.
Can you expect anything different?
content warnings:
minor ableism towards people who use drugs, alcohol use, animal death, animal death, arson, blood, child abuse, fire, gore, hate crime, homophobia, parental death, smoking tobacco, vomit / emetophobia
medium alcohol use, animal death, cancer, death, drowning, gore, religion christianity?, self harm?
major body horror, death, gun violence, guns, murder, unreality, violence
Ah. I accidentally read this after reading the third and final book. Well. I'd have to say it's kinda maybe the weakest in the series. Not that it's poorly written, just that maybe it doesn't need to exist, per se. It does feel like backstory for the third and final book, but then again you could vice versa that sentiment.
While Annihilation takes place inside Area X, Authority preexists just outside, after the first books expedition. The bureaucratic side isn't any less chaotic and suffocating. You'll want answers, and you will want.
Can you expect anything different?
content warnings:
minor ableism towards people who use drugs, alcohol use, animal death, animal death, arson, blood, child abuse, fire, gore, hate crime, homophobia, parental death, smoking tobacco, vomit / emetophobia
medium alcohol use, animal death, cancer, death, drowning, gore, religion christianity?, self harm?
major body horror, death, gun violence, guns, murder, unreality, violence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Self harm, Mental illness, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Mass/school shootings, Animal death, and Vomit
arti_27209's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
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