Book 3 - Everyone Continues to Lose Their Marbles

Title: Authority: A Novel (Southern Reach Trilogy #2)

Author: Jeff Vandermeer

Genre: Sci-Fi Spy-Mystery

This book feels more like a path between the first book (Annihilation) and the third (Acceptance) - still good, but not as balls to the wall nutso as the first. It's a bit of a slow burn, teasing the reader with half-answers and then bombarding us with more mysteries. INFURIATING MYSTERIES. I mean, I love it, but I also it's the worst. There is more of a corporate intrigue feel to this instalment, as we explore the organization behind the expeditions into Area X. We even get to revisit the biologist, in a way.

Then, about 3/4 of the way through the book, tension slowly building the whole way - SHIT HITS THE FAN. The pace increases and the creep factor I've come to not-quite know but wholly love is back in full force. In a way, you're kind of lulled into the comfortable sense that while weirdo things are happening, the humans are still in control and all will be fine - until it's not. There are some especially freaky scenes - one of which literally gave me chills - and all in all I ended this book raring for the next.

Rating: 🐭🐭🐭/5

Would re-read and would recommend, just to get the whole Southern Reach experience.