A review by roenfoe
Acceptance, by Jeff VanderMeer
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Acceptance is better than Authority, but falls very short of Annihilation.
It's mostly cerebral (which is not new to the Area X series) and offers few resolutions to plot threads that have spanned the trilogy. I usually have absolutely no issue with not being handed answers, but after three books and about 800 pages it's fair to expect some plot substance. It seems that Acceptance only scratches the surface of Area X's potential.
I greatly enjoyed the lighthouse keeper chapters and all other details provided concerning the origin of the anomaly. I was intrigued by the biologist and Ghost Bird's story but was left feeling ultimately unsatisfied. I cared very little for Control (re: my problems with Authority).
My biggest letdown was VanderMeer's failure to cultivate feelings of buzzing, primal fear and unsettlement. These emotions were integral to my experience reading Annihilation, and I was disappointed to find him unable to evoke these same feelings (which are inseparable from Area X in my mind) in Acceptance. What was left felt like a theme park clone of a formerly frightening setting.
I enjoyed spending more time with Area X and its characters but was ultimately underwhelmed with the final installment in what could have been a great trilogy. I still plan to continue reading VanderMeer (his ideas always pull me in) but I hope that his other works are stronger.
It's mostly cerebral (which is not new to the Area X series) and offers few resolutions to plot threads that have spanned the trilogy. I usually have absolutely no issue with not being handed answers, but after three books and about 800 pages it's fair to expect some plot substance. It seems that Acceptance only scratches the surface of Area X's potential.
I greatly enjoyed the lighthouse keeper chapters and all other details provided concerning the origin of the anomaly. I was intrigued by the biologist and Ghost Bird's story but was left feeling ultimately unsatisfied. I cared very little for Control (re: my problems with Authority).
My biggest letdown was VanderMeer's failure to cultivate feelings of buzzing, primal fear and unsettlement. These emotions were integral to my experience reading Annihilation, and I was disappointed to find him unable to evoke these same feelings (which are inseparable from Area X in my mind) in Acceptance. What was left felt like a theme park clone of a formerly frightening setting.
I enjoyed spending more time with Area X and its characters but was ultimately underwhelmed with the final installment in what could have been a great trilogy. I still plan to continue reading VanderMeer (his ideas always pull me in) but I hope that his other works are stronger.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror