From the Bookshelf of 2015 Reading Challenge [Closed]…

Authority (Southern Reach, #2)

Jeff VanderMeer

Start date: July 17, 2015

Finish date: July 22, 2015

Discussion: . Week 33: Trilogy (2)

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Showing 2 of 27 topics — 108 comments total

. Week 33: Trilogy (2)

* Week 33: Progress Post
By Zaz , Mood Minion · 12 posts · 32 views

last updated Dec 03, 2015 09:22PM

* Week 33: Introduction
By Zaz , Mood Minion · 1 post · 34 views

last updated Jun 13, 2015 05:05AM

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What Members Thought

Sep 20, 2017 Stacey D. rated it did not like it

Look in the dictionary under "sophomore slump" and there you'll find the cover of this book, certainly the best part about it. After VanderMeer's first endeavor, I was very disappointed by this disjointed, stagnant second novel in the Southern Reach series. Authority is weighed down by insignificant detail, like the boring, boring, boring descriptions of rooms (and oh, that cafeteria) in the Southern Reach HQ and other minutiae I didn't care for or about. Too many characters and linkages that sh ...more

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Feb 28, 2015 Vince rated it did not like it

The middle book in a trilogy must meet two criteria should it wish to be successful. 1. It must keep the momentum of the first installment. 2. It must propel the narrative forward toward the final chapter.

Authority fails miserably at the first goal. The novel’s first two-thirds are, simply put, dull. It chronologically fits after Annihilation , but everything about Authority is different – voice, tone, location, characters. It’s jarring to put one book down and pick up the next. Unfortunately ...more

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Dec 22, 2015 Jesse rated it really liked it

Quite interesting for a book in which very little actually happens prior to the final chapter. The author's quirky writing style worked better telling the story of "Control" than it did in the first book of the series, in my opinion. Looking forward to the conclusion, though I doubt this is one of those trilogies where everything will be wrapped up neatly in the end. Nothing wrong with that! ...more

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Sep 10, 2019 Ghostcat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Though this second volume is very different from the first one I enjoyed it a lot. The kafkaian atmosphere, the non efficient main protagonist who's being used like a puppet, the little things we learn on the director/psychologist, the personality of Ghost Bird, I enjoyed every word of it. I can't stop thinking about those books. ...more

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Dec 16, 2017 webslog rated it liked it · review of another edition

I ultimately had to do this as an audiobook. Its a necessary bridge to the 3rd and final volume, which Dan Brown says is great. But I had a hard-as-hell time getting through it.

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