A book review by Dennis D. McDonald

This is the third in the author’s "Southern Reach" trilogy that began with Annihilation on which the movie Annihilation was based.

I thought this was the best of the three books especially from the perspectives of plotting and characterization.

By now readers are accustomed to the goings-on in Area X. In this third volume the author brings plot elements and narrative lines into equilibrium but not complete resolution.

This lack of a total resolution of all plot threads might be troubling to some. I found it instead contributed to a sustained sense of mood and mystery. The characters are dealing with mysterious forces they can barely comprehend and it is after all the characters that are the focus of the novel, not just Area X itself.

I am especially impressed with how the author manages and interweaves multiple characters, multiple plot lines and multiple timelines across the three volumes. He does so in a way that is fascinating and indicative of very careful plotting, thought, and character development. To top it all off, VanderMeer writes evocatively and beautifully. I’m now eager to read more of his work.

Review copyright © 2018 by Dennis D. McDonald