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[imaginedpress]

Hello! Welcome to my first book review! Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Annihilation is the first book in the Southern Reach sci-fi series that is aptly described by Lauren Beukes as “a little Kubric, a lot Lovecraft”. It follows a biologist who is part of a twelfth expedition of scientists (consisting of our biologist narrator, a psychologist, an anthropologist, and a surveyor) into the mysterious area known as Area X, which has baffled researchers for decades with little to no conclusive data from previous excursions on its bizarre phenomenon. Not only does the expedition have to contend with the seemingly otherworldly happenings of Area X, but the baggage they brought with them over the border may end up being more dangerous than anything they may encounter…

Personally, I adored Annihilation. It’s a book that takes its time as if it weren’t just under 200 pages and it has a payoff that I think cosmic horror fans would devour. The biologist has the kind of mind that is fascinating to see interact with the world around her, given her background that is gradually fed to us as we read. After finishing the book, I immediately ordered the sequel, Authority.

I would highly recommend Annihilaton to fans of sci-fi and cosmic horror.