Reviews

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

akardian's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Very slow. Not sure what the middle of the book was for to be honest- not a long book but a lot seemed irrelevant and like it could be cut without changing the impact. But the main mystery of the story was compelling and the events at the end of the book have me interested in seeing what happens in the next one. 

graff_fuller's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.25

This is an extension of Annihilation. I liked the first book better than the second (Authority), but I think it was because...I was able to connect to the protagonist a LOT more.

I just couldn't connect with the characters in this story. I was "along for the ride", but that was about it. I watched them do things...within this weird tale, but not understanding where we (author, his characters and US) were eventually going (other than, eventually...North).

If they (Alex Garland, or some other adventurous writer/director) could've visualized it, I might have enjoyed it more. The ONLY real thing that I was able to visualized in this story, was the plant growing from the dead mouse, within the drawer AND the lighthouse. That's about it.

It is a weird tale, but I am not giving up. I want to see if I will be satisfied by the ENTIRE story, and not JUST the first book.

I want to know MORE. Like in the X-File...there have to be answers...somewhere.

charityc's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-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

4.0

valkyriekiller69's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.5

villagebooksmith's review against another edition

challenging tense slow-paced

5.0

I understand why people may not enjoy this, but I loved it. The perspective shift to gain insight into the southern reach landed for me, following Control through his slow undoing, the way tension is written throughout this second installment. It’s slow, but for me it burns. When I put this down I’m glad I purchased Acceptance, because I immediately picked it up. 

“Slow death by aliens. Slow death by parallel universe. Slow death by malign unknown time-traveling force. Slow death by invasion from an alternate earth. Slow death by wildly divergent technology or the shadow biosphere or symbiosis or iconography or etymology. Death by this and by that. Death by indifference and inference.” (Page 129)

againanew's review against another edition

5.0

Okay, I'll admit it has a slow start. But the reviews of those who did not finish this book.... Don't listen to them. When this book picks up it REALLY picks up and I couldn't stop reading. I'm very excited for the third. In fact, I'm starting it immediately.

sezillee's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

itsmjn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

leahreadsstuff's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has a more conventional structure and narrative than the first book. The change in format and narrator and the expanded page count make for a slower and less refined experience than Annihilation. Although the story was less immediately impactful or memorable, I enjoyed the deepening mythology. There are some vivid, disturbing scenes that stuck with me long after I read them. 

Vandermeer’s protagonists are great: complex and often off-putting, but not to the point of making the reader disconnect from them. The writing style allows you into a character’s head, and there is no omniscience for you as a reader. You know what the character knows as they come to know it. It makes for a tense reading experience. 

Not as terrifying or riveting a read as Annihilation, but still a worthy continuation. I am looking forward to reading book three, and to book four when it comes out later this year. 

macarooney42's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75