Acceptance

Let me start off by stating what so many other reviewers acknowledge; Jeff VanderMeer can WRITE. Sometimes, what he's writing about magnificently is vague or completely unclear to me, but boy, do I enjoy the ride! Even when otherworldly creatures are oozing through marshes or stomping over the landscape, I can see every eye and gaping maw.

With that said, “Annihilation” was my favorite of the series with “Authority” a distant third. I know I'm supposed to be reviewing “Acceptance,” but can I really ignore the way it fits into this this very different trilogy?

The shifting point of view often delves into the back stories of the first two books. I loved seeing pre-Area X from Saul's and the Director's eyes, but both Control and Ghost Bird were a bit of a snooze. Of course, an entire book from Control's perspective was part of the problem with “Authority.” Yet, I would have liked a little more explanation about the ending. Control turns into something with paws, but somehow makes it back through the wormhole to an alien-free Area X (well, not totally alien free with the biologist's copy, Ghost Bird, running around). And, what of Lowry? Was his post-expedition, super-aggressive self a copy, too?

Was the 8-pointed flower really alien, or was it a gateway into an alternate dimension? The alternate dimension seems to make more sense to me otherwise I can't account for what happened to the alien colonizers.

Despite a somewhat lukewarm review of “Acceptance,” I can recommend the trilogy as worthwhile and plan to read more of the author's work.