Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Annihilation

I really enjoy a good mystery, and the unsettling nature of something only barely glimpsed and even less comprehended made for a delicious read. I’ve heard others complain about the unlikability of the main character and how many questions we are left with at the end of the book, but I think the author did both of those things intentionally and well. The alien, body horror and psychological horror

of hypnosis and government agency lies

combined in a really spooky way that did not feel too overdone. I’m excited to check out the rest of the trilogy, but would also be content with Annihilation as a stand alone story.

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maryconney's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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takarakei's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

I have read the introduction written by Karen Joy Fowler included in this version now 3 times. The first time it was sent to me by a friend to convince me to read this book. Then again obviously when I read it. And a third time after I finished I went back and read it again, to really understand what the hell was going on! (Sometimes I just need to read analysis of something to fully comprehend it) That third time really blew my mind! WOW!

The only thing I didn't love about this was the flashback parts about the MC's life prior to the expedition. I understand they were included to build context for her relationship with her husband and why our MC even decides to go on the expedition. But they oddly went into a bit of a lit-fic-y kinda realm, which to me felt a little out of place with everything else going on. I just cared way more about what was happening on the expedition and found myself less interested in her husband in general *shrug*

I do think I will probably read the rest of this series in physical form vs doing exclusively audio to be able to follow along better!

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lpogo16's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

5.0

This book is such an interesting read. The choices the author made in regards to the writing of this book are so unique and I know this book is going to stay with me for a while, if not forever.

I can’t say with full confidence if I even liked this book, but it’s so unlike anything I’ve read before that I needed to give it five stars. This book makes me wish I read it in school because at least then I’d have other people to talk about it with.

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pupipupapa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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audreyxine's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

That's how the madness of the world tries to colonize you: from the outside in, forcing you to live in its reality.

Loved this for the rancid, wretched vibes and group of horrible women tearing each other apart. Gotta love a book that makes you root for the bad guy, and in this book the "bad guy" is a symbiotic unharnessable wilderness and abandoning all sense of individuality. It's hard to root for humanity here.

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hellavaral's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.0

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thursdd4y's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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