Rick Kohut
I listened back to back to back through the three (then) Area X novels this past summer - see my reviews on "Annihilation" and "Authority" for my context. In many ways this is the richest of the initial trilogy as it alternates among three time lines within the same physical geography. Although the events - midway through the expeditions into Area X; before the border transforms the Coast; and after the catastrophe which ends "Authority" - happened years apart, this structure illuminates the interconnected people, themes, landscapes and intrigue. The audio narration is excellent and this helps to differentiate among the plot threads. When I arrived at the end of the 25+ hours of listening across the three books, I felt satisfied, yet longing to know more about the nature and origin of the force creating Area X. Imagine my excitement at learning Vandermeer felt compelled to write a fourth book "Absolution" which was released a month ago. I'm near the conclusion of that novel - gotta wrap this so I can finish that set of three novellas!
I listened back to back to back through the three (then) Area X novels this past summer - see my reviews on "Annihilation" and "Authority" for my context. In many ways this is the richest of the initial trilogy as it alternates among three time lines within the same physical geography. Although the events - midway through the expeditions into Area X; before the border transforms the Coast; and after the catastrophe which ends "Authority" - happened years apart, this structure illuminates the interconnected people, themes, landscapes and intrigue. The audio narration is excellent and this helps to differentiate among the plot threads. When I arrived at the end of the 25+ hours of listening across the three books, I felt satisfied, yet longing to know more about the nature and origin of the force creating Area X. Imagine my excitement at learning Vandermeer felt compelled to write a fourth book "Absolution" which was released a month ago. I'm near the conclusion of that novel - gotta wrap this so I can finish that set of three novellas!