A review by ixchel_anima
Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.75

Overall enjoyed, though I didn't find this as instantly gripping as the first book in the trilogy, Annihilation, and that is due in part to the fact that it focuses mostly on the Southern Reach as an institution trying to research the impossible, more so than Area X itself, which I understand may be off-putting for some. There is plenty of intrigue to be found and some very creepy set pieces. That said, I'd have liked more horror elements, though that's a personal preference.

Authority really hits its stride closer to the end. I enjoyed Control as a character and his interactions with the biologist, as well as the slowly building tension as Control tries to keep, uh, control of the situation at the Southern Reach. I wish I was more interested in the other characters, though in fairness this did take me a while to finish reading. Favourite scene:

a toss up between Control finding Whitby's creepy mural, and the realization that the walls inside the building are breathing.

Terrifying! I loved it.