1.7k reviews for:

Absolution

Jeff VanderMeer

3.73 AVERAGE

b_can_read's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

corabookworm's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

garden_blue's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emnp's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Really enjoyed the Cass and Old Jim parts, but things feel apart for me once we got to Lowry’s perspective. I’m not sure his story added to our understanding of the themes or the central mystery 

vbetbeze's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious tense

m4razm's review against another edition

4.25

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

grey_jayne's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 50%

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I'm halfway in and the book is mind-numbingly boring. My least favorite parts of the Southern Reach series are Control and Central and we see plenty of mundane discussions around that for the first half. 

I checked some reviews here and I'm definitely saving my braincells by quitting now.

the_ambivert_bibliophile's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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So, this felt like the prequel to the entire Southern Reach series. We get some further clarification when it comes to previous expeditions, and also how Area X becomes Area X. Overall a solid read. Not sure that it answered all of my questions but I was satisfied enough to no longer want to ponder or look for answers. 

paguilera's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

savannaskye's review against another edition

4.0

challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Loved Old Jim and Cass, but Lowry's narration was actively alienating. Intentionally so?