jiaojiao's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Acceptance picks up almost immediately where Authority leaves off. Unlike in Annihilation and Authority, no new characters are introduced; instead, VanderMeer expands on the story of characters we already know who seem to be prominently connected to Area X. We see the lighthouse keeper’s final moments, for example. Like Annihilation and Authority, Acceptance switches between present events and select events from each character’s past. In terms of pacing, I think this worked a bit better in here than it did in Authority, as the past events that come to light have more direct connections to either Area X or present events.
While I did like that a lot more loose ends were dealt with in Acceptance, I still felt like something was missing. I think it might just be that I was expecting from the trilogy. I’m used to novels that have more linear storylines, with clear resolutions. This trilogy, however, is very character-driven, introspective as a result, and focused more on the psychological horror of confronting an existential threat that, in the end, was impossible to control. There isn’t really a resolution. Just acceptance—and whatever peace that might bring. I’m left feeling kind of empty-handed.
I’m glad I finished the trilogy, but I’m not sure whether I’d pick up any other books by VanderMeer.
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/injury detail, and Gore
muffmacguff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In this concluding book I think that’s a strength and also something that irritated the hell out of me! It’s so fascinating and disorienting, and I keep hoping anything will make more sense but it never does. There isn’t much to explain why all this weird shit is happening. Which is FINE and VALID but also makes me so angry.
Anyway these were a really interesting read that gave me a headache.
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Body horror, Violence, Animal death, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide
jmcampbell57's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content
edensbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence
gracecrandall's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Cancer, Gore, War, Violence, and Gaslighting
madarauchiha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Cancer, Death, Gore, and Self harm
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Death of parent, Vomit, and Drug use
tinnuben's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Injury/injury detail, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Vomit
themoonshoes's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Spoiler
if you were turned into a monstrosity beyond recognition by area x what would it turn you into :)Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Murder and Violence
cheye13's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My fears were baseless.
Acceptance offers yet more questions, and I loved it. I love the characters introduced and developed, I loved the nonlinear narrative, I even loved the writing conventions like narrative perspective and diction. I found focusing difficult (due to my environment) but I am looking forward to rereading this series and going to town with annotations.
Above all else, I love how this book (and the larger series) addresses language/linguistics/communication as a concept rather than a system. It's rare to find a written media that addresses the imperfection of language outside of straightforward theory or philosophy texts. All that simply to say that this series is the closest I've felt to being... understood? with regards to my personal philosophy regarding alien life. And! With just a bit of extrapolation, the story could very easily be simply about the human condition without turning outward at all.
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Terminal illness, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, and Death
Warnings are mostly on par with the previous two books. All visual horror, such as body horror or gore, though varying in detail, is described with a sence of distance or dissociation due to the nature of the characters' perspectives. Animal corpses, usually sea life, are mentioned in passing. A character is diagnosed with terminal cancer.