Authority

Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 2

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The bone-chilling, hair-raising second installment of the Southern Reach Trilogy.

For 30 years, a secret agency called the Southern Reach has monitored expeditions into Area X - a remote and lush terrain mysteriously sequestered from civilization. After the 12th expedition, the Southern Reach is in disarray, and John Rodriguez (a.k.a. "Control") is the team's newly appointed head. From a series of interrogations, a cache of hidden notes, and more than two hundred hours of profoundly troubling video footage, the secrets of Area X begin to reveal themselves - and what they expose pushes Control to confront disturbing truths about both himself and the agency he's promised to serve.

©2014 Jeff VanderMeer (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Meh

an unnecessary part of the trilogy, as far as I can tell, not a lot of things are resolved

mind bending and excellent

you'll ask yourself what the heck is going on almost as much as the main characters. the gradual unveiling of just a few answers is spectacularly thrilling, and the realization that it just leaves more questions keeps me coming back over and over again. my favorite of the southern reach trilogy.

Slow burn with perfect finish

Different from Annihilation, but just as shimmering with the author's brilliance. Starts off more like a workplace thriller and then gets gradually into the strangeness around Area X.

Not impressive

Would you listen to another book narrated by Bronson Pinchot?

Perhaps. His narration wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either.

Do you think Authority needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

This book is the second in a trilogy. I enjoyed the first - Annihilation - much more. But with as weak as I felt this book to be I am not sure I will go on to read the final book. This book solves some mysteries, and brings up a lot more, but really didn't leave a strong urge in me to continue reading and figure it all out.

a ton of details for your brain to process

I still have so many questions. i hope the last book of the triology completes the circle and those questions find answers

Stop saying every H please.

Love the Southern Reach Trilogy. Do not know why this narrator feels like he must pronounce every H he sees. "hhhwhiskey" sir stop.

overwhelming

there's a lot to process in this book. you get a few more pieces of the puzzle, but they end up leaving you with more questions than answers. this book kept me guessing all the way through. I can't wait to see how the author wraps up this trilogy.

Bogged Down By Dystopian Bureaucracy

Any additional comments?

This is almost a complete departure from the mystery and wonder of the first book Annihilation. It was, I hate to say boring. It was basically the story of a man who is something of a spy, but really a lame bureaucrat and his feelings. It is probably an ok book if you like that sort of thing, but I wanted something weirder... I wanted area X.

I gave it three stars which may be a bit generous because A. I like the way the author describes the feeling of what it is like to exist in an environment (whether natural or unnatural), and B: The ending was unexpected and opened up volume three to become awesome again.

Out of Control - Spoiler Free

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this book and it's predecessor, Annihilation. The second installment of the Southern Reach trilogy follows the character, Control, as he attempts to unravel the mysteries of the Southern Reach organization as its new Director. Deep and suspenseful, I found this audiobook keeping me in the car long after I got home from my commute. While Annihilation focused on the inexplicable Area X, Authority adds a cloak and dagger layer to the agency charged with understanding and containing Area X.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Control was a sympathetic character.

Which scene was your favorite?

Whitby. I won't spoil it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Find out about our exciting career opportunities at the Southern Reach!

Any additional comments?

I'd categorize this book as a Lovecraftian horror, spy thriller, mystery. It takes an incredibly mundane setting and injects it with so much weird, that you can't help struggling to puzzle out what it all means. But you can't puzzle it out. It resists explanation at every turn. This is actually my fear with the final installment, that the mystery will never be fully revealed or explained, and the reader will be left with so many unanswered questions they will feel disappointed. Make no mistake, this book answers some big questions from the first book. But others just deepen the mystery.

Lost Meets Outbreak - Best of the Series

Enjoyed this book and feel it is the best of the series. Sort of Lost meets Outbreak with a little X-Files thrown in.