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michaelion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Animal death, and Cancer
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol and Cancer
jiaojiao's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Acceptance picks up almost immediately where Authority leaves off. Unlike in Annihilation and Authority, no new characters are introduced; instead, VanderMeer expands on the story of characters we already know who seem to be prominently connected to Area X. We see the lighthouse keeper’s final moments, for example. Like Annihilation and Authority, Acceptance switches between present events and select events from each character’s past. In terms of pacing, I think this worked a bit better in here than it did in Authority, as the past events that come to light have more direct connections to either Area X or present events.
While I did like that a lot more loose ends were dealt with in Acceptance, I still felt like something was missing. I think it might just be that I was expecting from the trilogy. I’m used to novels that have more linear storylines, with clear resolutions. This trilogy, however, is very character-driven, introspective as a result, and focused more on the psychological horror of confronting an existential threat that, in the end, was impossible to control. There isn’t really a resolution. Just acceptance—and whatever peace that might bring. I’m left feeling kind of empty-handed.
I’m glad I finished the trilogy, but I’m not sure whether I’d pick up any other books by VanderMeer.
My rating system:
★☆☆☆☆ - DNF.
★★☆☆☆ - I really wish I’d read something else.
★★★☆☆ - Glad I finished, but I’m probably not re-reading this.
★★★★☆ - I really enjoyed reading this! Would probably rec/re-read.
★★★★★ - OMG.
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
jazhandz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
tinnuben's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Vomit