I loved that she was introverted and anti-social. She is spooky, highly intelligent and trustworthy as a narrator in surprising and interesting ways. The biologist (she is never named in the book) is at the heart a true scientist and in certain respects more attuned to flora and fauna than to people, but she observes people with a scientific eye. I’m guessing this was true for many other readers interested in the interior life of this quietly observant biologist as she ventures into Area X. Not only was the main character, compelling, but the mysteries that unfolded in the narrative created the perfect amount of tension to keep me engaged. If you read my earlier reviews, you understand that I started out a big fan of Annihilation. For those reviews, click Annihilation, A Book Review and/or Authority, A Book Review.

This longer review, may contain spoilers for the first two novels in the trilogy. To buy the SOUTHERN REACH TRILOGY, click here. I started this book on audio, but switched to print about a 1/3 of the way through because POV and time switching was too confusing.Not only does VanderMeer shift points of view with every chapter, he also moves back and forth between past and present.The writing style grew stale after a while…lots of interior musings and struggles without enough plot or even conflict (the conflict is underlying, but too diffuse for my tastes).Because the point of view was shifting all the time, it was a challenge to attach to any one character.The writing style was unique and often beautiful.I wanted to spend more time in the imaginative world of Area X.I enjoyed the deeply flawed, but thoughtful characters.There was definitely more backstory to absorb in this volume I wanted to understand more of the mystery that is Area X.

I already consumed the first two in the trilogy and like to finish things.

Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer