Reviews

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

mkowens's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

galaxykat's review against another edition

3.5

idk what’s going on 👍

caseyapederson's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

5.0

stonefruitss's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars, not as exciting as the first book but good build up for the last installment

mysticalgoalpaca's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

An interesting book. The pacing was consistent, but I found myself understanding it less as it went on until the end of the middle. Then a lot made sense again and the story grabbed me and went off. I’m not sure if it was intentionally written to be that way, but it was certainly an interesting experience.

erinlcrane's review against another edition

3.0

Reread. Still 3 stars, I think. Maybe 3.5. I wish it were higher because I do really like this unsettling, weird world of the Southern Reach. But in this book I find the pacing too slow and the stakes too low - or at least that’s how it feels until close to the end.

I like the office politics of it all, and this feels kind of like Severance (the show) because of the mystery and oddness.

There are more “answers” to the first book here than I remembered. It’s enough to help make the first book less frustrating for a lot of folks, though I’m not personally bothered by the way the first book ends.

I like Control and Grace’s power struggle, and the way so much is unsaid. I like the reveals. I just wish it was as short as Annihilation because there are many times when it drags or feels repetitive.

xerces_blue's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

farrington's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

kpeareads's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

zindive's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0