madxmellon 's review for:

Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer

4.25

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Of all the Area X “trilogy” books, this one felt the most like Jeff giving himself permission to be as indecipherable as he wants. I will say, like many people have already said, the last 1/3-1/4 of this book is quite jarring, but I think it works. We aren’t supposed to be comfortable in this environment. As a reader, it transports us to Area X in a way we otherwise would not have been. Top three wtf moments in no particular order:

Bodies in the barrels, need I elaborate? The cameras are alive and can be shucked like oysters. Gross. Lowry eats the sloughed off shed of a maybe maybe not Whitby. HUH.