Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
The more I let this story marinate in my brain, the better it gets for me.
I will never get over how incredible Jeff VanderMeer’s writing is. Do not read the Southern Reach series if you want answers by the end of it, read it for the journey. Read it to experience Area X in its full incomprehensible, horrific glory.
While I will say that this “prequel” story is not an altogether necessary addition to the original trilogy, if you are someone like me who needs more Area X in their life, then it’s worth reading.
The book is separated into three parts, each with their own story arcs. So while the pacing of this book feels akin to Authority, the fact that there are three distinct “reveals” helped with keeping me engaged for the entire book. (However, the narrative did drag just a little for me during Old Jim’s story, hence the half-star deduction.)
Reviews tend to agree that the tonal shift of part three is drastic, and the overuse of “fuck” is a detriment to the narrative, but the longer I was in Lowry’s head the more I grew to understand and appreciate the writing style. The excessive use of profanity does peter out within a few chapters, and the cosmic horror endured and discoveries revealed in the last part are worth suffering through Lowry’s POV.
Absolute genius. And truly psychotic that I want to immediately re-read this entire series.
Area X will forever live rent-free in my brain.
challenging
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
As dense and mysterious as the original trilogy, but with less meaningful of a payoff.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just cannot finish it. And if I have to renew my book loan for a second time to try and finish it, doesn't that say it all?
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As many others have said, This does not feel like it adds much to the overall series. The first two parts are much better than the last third, but overall it is disappointing.
It's fine. It expands on what is an interesting universe but doesn't really add/answer anything that felt like it was missing from the original trilogy.
The first two parts are definitively better than the last part.
The first two parts are definitively better than the last part.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated