2.48k reviews for:

Borne

Jeff VanderMeer

3.93 AVERAGE


I’ve read enough by this author now to know that his stories are meandering and convoluted and dense with so many random threads that he will try to weave into a half-revealed tapestry by the end, it’s just the way he writes and I know this. Still, every time I read something by him I’m left wanting. It was a really interesting world he crafted, the absurdity of it is fun but there wasn’t much to root for and the titular Borne was really only around for the first half of the book and as per usual so many of the threads fell loose and flat and it’s underwhelming ultimately. His imagery is impeccable as always.

booserman's review

4.25
adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

less sex scenes and more world building would have been nice… the plot twists at the end were shocking to me, but I also did not think the book would have so many mysteries/lies. 
plebert's profile picture

plebert's review

4.0
dark mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This one really defies description. I found myself trying to tell people about the book I was reading and failed miserably.

Dystopian doesn't quite cover it, but it's a good start.
dark mysterious

the giant flying biotech bear shall inherit the earth
adventurous dark tense 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

I deleted my review by mistake, like an idiot, so I'm re-doing it six months later. My thoughts are a little fuzzier now than right after finishing it, but from what I remember, this book is a lot less confusing than Annihilation, but not less visually stunning. This world is just as weird but the vibe is completely different. Not really more lighthearted, but perhaps a little less oppressive.

The characters are well-developed and interesting, and the way their relationship changes as they learn more about each other, and with Borne's addition to the mix, was intense and a little heartbreaking. I also really liked the ending, which was slightly more optimistic than I expected.
adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense 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: Complicated
adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes