jiaojiao's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
So... I read the Southern Reach trilogy all in the span of a few days; I was just that invested in the mystery of Area X. Unfortunately for me, that didn’t seem to be what VanderMeer had in mind for the Southern Reach trilogy. Area X, as the primary setting of Acceptance, does feature prominently in Acceptance, since John, along with a few other characters, do wind up in Area X. However, the focus is still very much on its effects, rather than its origins. By the end of Acceptance, we only get speculations of what Area X is, very few of which are actually confirmed.
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.
My rating system:
★☆☆☆☆ - DNF.
★★☆☆☆ - I really wish I’d read something else.
★★★☆☆ - Glad I finished, but I’m probably not re-reading this.
★★★★☆ - I really enjoyed reading this! Would probably rec/re-read.
★★★★★ - OMG.
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.
My rating system:
★☆☆☆☆ - DNF.
★★☆☆☆ - I really wish I’d read something else.
★★★☆☆ - Glad I finished, but I’m probably not re-reading this.
★★★★☆ - I really enjoyed reading this! Would probably rec/re-read.
★★★★★ - OMG.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
muffmacguff's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
One of the major strengths of this series is making you feel trapped in the characters’s world. Especially as the series progressed, with each successive book you see just how small a window the previous book gave you into the world of the series.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content
edensbookshelf's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
gracecrandall's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Cancer, Gore, War, Violence, and Gaslighting
madarauchiha's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
WHAT IS THERE TO SAY....... i think this book is best read in two or three sittings bc once you start you won't want to stop but you probably should for a bit. ALSO if you didn't like control in the first book you probably will in this book.
Spoiler
if you were turned into a monstrosity beyond recognition by area x what would it turn you into :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Murder and Violence
cheye13's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My primary fear about a third book was that it would provide too many answers. I thought Annihilation was perfect in its absurdity, and that Authority was more boring than watching paint dry. I was concerned that Acceptance would simply pick up where Authority had stopped. But then, when I saw the director's point of view, I was more concerned about learning information she had previously withheld. And then, when I saw that we also got the Lighthouse Keeper's point of view, I was certain Acceptance would ruin the repore that I felt Annihilation had built.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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.