Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #13 April 2015 | Page 67

In the aftermath of the 12th
expedition we follow “Control” the nom de guerre of the
new director of the Southern
Reach. Some of the questions
in the first book are answered
but many mysteries remain, are
deepened in fact. This is different in tone and style and yet the
two books are so inextricably
linked that whilst reading this
volume I had to several times
resist the urge to go back and re-read Annihilation.
When I have completed all three books I can imagine
re-reading all three as a “whole”.
I won’t go into the plot - that’s a doorway you’ll have
to cross by yourself. This is less dream-like (although
relies, in part, on dreams to build the experience) and
less pared down than Annihilation but feels like a layering on of information, themes, character, plot, sense
of place, and, to use a term from the book (and the
wine world), terroir. It is a deeply sensuous experience
that I gorged myself upon. Another reason to re-read
once all three have been ravenously consumed will
be to take it slower and appreciate the craft. For to be
sure there is much craft in these books to admire.
Comparisons are useless, this is idiosyncratic and it is
obvious that much thought and care has been put into
this as a book, as the second in a trilogy, as a bridge,
as a complex exploration of transformation and
immersion. Everything becomes significant, it is like
being indoctrinated by a conspiracy theorist. It is both
a reflection and an intermingling with the first book.
Themes are re-explored, re-examined, deepened.
Throughout, as per the word Annihilation in the first
book, I was considering – what is authority? what is
control? There is a Russian doll feel to it. Turn over a
phrase and find a concept which when considered is
but a layer of a greater theme which in turn is reflected
in character development, or description, or dialogue.
Throughout is a key uncertainty, which in itself is
another theme – surface detail is a concealment, an
obfuscation of the truth, or is it?

Adding to this is the very form of the story. Presented
in a paranoid spy thriller atmosphere as organisational
politics meets intelligence meets counter-intelligence.
Power struggles, suspicions, revelations, tug-of-war
manoeuvres and the use of hypnosis (itself a recurrence of something explored in Annihilation) conspire
to keep you immersed and engaged.
VanderMeer has parcelled out information, seemingly
generously (in comparison to Annihilation) and yet the
mystery remains and is, if anything, deeper following
this book. At the end of Annihilation I wanted answers
and yet wasn’t sure I’d like what the answers were and
was simultaneously eager and afraid of reading the
next book. At the end of Authority I wanted the next
book to be there to hand, to tear straight into, the level
of suspense and anticipation has been built to fever
pitch.
Overall – This is a book and a series that deserves all
the praise. I expect prizes in the future.

Acceptance
As this is the third book in the
series if you’ve not read the
previous two you must do so.
Acceptance entwines several
narratives from both the past
and the present, as we understand it from the previous
books. It is worth noting at the
outset that although there are
revelations and answers there
is also still much mystery and
those seeking an explanation
for all that has gone before may be somewhat disappointed. But then if you’ve got this far you’re not really seeking an explanation are you? You’re revelling
in the experience and frolicking with the ideas. Surely.
Acceptance is non-linear and jumps chapter by chapter
between the Lighthouse Keeper (yes that lighthouse
keeper! Control, Ghost Bird and th R7