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A review by miistical
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
Annihilation is a difficult book to talk about. Firstly, I'm sure people are more acquainted with its movie counterpart and there are enough differences between the two that you could find the book a little wanting. Secondly, a lot of this book is purely... well, vibes. VanderMeer's writing is genuinely engaging and evocative, but if you don't care much for environmental storytelling, then this novel is going to just frustrate you. This also goes into my third point: the characters are incredibly sparse, including the protagonist. If you wanted a compelling character-driven story, then this certainly not a series to start.
With all of that said, I still think this is worth the read.
If you are capable of immersing yourself in this world, then it is worth your time to read it. For me, the first thirty or so pages were very slow with dry writing. It took a little bit for me to really get settled into the world VanderMeer had created. However, when I did get comfortable, I finished the book in under three hours.
I am not a horror or science fiction person at all, but I was uniquely enthralled with this book. Once his writing clicked in my head, I found myself almost watching over the shoulder of our main character. I felt her desperation and fear and confusion. And that ending? Oh, it made me want to know more immediately. If the writing manages to get you, it sinks its teeth in for sure, and I cannot recommend it more.
With all of that said, I still think this is worth the read.
If you are capable of immersing yourself in this world, then it is worth your time to read it. For me, the first thirty or so pages were very slow with dry writing. It took a little bit for me to really get settled into the world VanderMeer had created. However, when I did get comfortable, I finished the book in under three hours.
I am not a horror or science fiction person at all, but I was uniquely enthralled with this book. Once his writing clicked in my head, I found myself almost watching over the shoulder of our main character. I felt her desperation and fear and confusion. And that ending? Oh, it made me want to know more immediately. If the writing manages to get you, it sinks its teeth in for sure, and I cannot recommend it more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Blood