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ebt137's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book in a giveaway.
The book is itself completely gorgeous. The jacket is beautiful and it covers a beautiful book. The writing is also gorgeous, and the main thing that kept me going through the book. Well, that and the fact that I hoped it was all going to make sense at some point. I’m not sure it ever did, but it did come together in a way. If you enjoyed the themes of the Southern Reach Trilogy, but wanted them set in the Borne universe with prose that’s more obfuscating than clear, then this is the book for you.
The book is itself completely gorgeous. The jacket is beautiful and it covers a beautiful book. The writing is also gorgeous, and the main thing that kept me going through the book. Well, that and the fact that I hoped it was all going to make sense at some point. I’m not sure it ever did, but it did come together in a way. If you enjoyed the themes of the Southern Reach Trilogy, but wanted them set in the Borne universe with prose that’s more obfuscating than clear, then this is the book for you.
fimrry's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
re_bebba's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Torture
Moderate: Death
ni_yao's review against another edition
mysterious
i think I tried reading this a while ago but it didn't catch my interest. tried again and...it reads like some of my old writing, like how i imagine house of leaves feels.
dandelionnetwork's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
What a story to comfort me in the middle of mourning the death of a friend.
toc's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps I should go read Borne and then read this one again. It is, after all subtitle "Borne, #2.
I say that because I did find the book a bit difficult to read. Tho' I have found other Jeff VanderMeer books to be as dense. His writing style is not straight, precise, and clear. ;0)
Or perhaps it's too precise for my taste. I ended up needing to read this book during the day and not right before bed. It takes effort to read. Of course, if you're a Jeff VanderMeer fan the effort will be quite worth it!
I say that because I did find the book a bit difficult to read. Tho' I have found other Jeff VanderMeer books to be as dense. His writing style is not straight, precise, and clear. ;0)
Or perhaps it's too precise for my taste. I ended up needing to read this book during the day and not right before bed. It takes effort to read. Of course, if you're a Jeff VanderMeer fan the effort will be quite worth it!
celyn20's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
labyrinthofstars's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
kuronekostea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
If you like books that leave you wondering "What did I just read?" then look no further.
I do like the ominous and creepy vibe showcased through the books formating but my head was spinning by the end of this novel.
I read the others in the series and several of Jeff's other books. SO FAR this has been my least favorite- yet, again, I could see how the complex plot, multiple timeliness and dimensions and twists and turns could be enjoyable for some one else. Overall, not bad, worth the read but not something I'd come back to.
I do like the ominous and creepy vibe showcased through the books formating but my head was spinning by the end of this novel.
I read the others in the series and several of Jeff's other books. SO FAR this has been my least favorite- yet, again, I could see how the complex plot, multiple timeliness and dimensions and twists and turns could be enjoyable for some one else. Overall, not bad, worth the read but not something I'd come back to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, and Murder
ale_ja's review against another edition
v poetic/abstract for vandermeer, interesting.. good series, sometimes closure is no closure, i am partial to southern reach still personally, his childhood in fiji is as always legible (mostly in borne but still)