Like the first book, this one also balances the focus between characters and plot around the mysteries of Area X… and perhaps how very entwined they are. We learn about the people who have been working at Southern Reach for so, so many years, how they are each acutely peculiar in their own way and the eerie, creeping, unsettling suspicion that Area X is somehow the reason for that.

I can’t express just how great the writing is. It’s not showy or obvious, it’s just so, so well crafted. The meaningful and dangerously eerie elements of the Southern Reach and Area X are juxtapositioned with reluctantly humorous moments of levity in some of Control’s observations and takeaways. At times while reading I almost felt myself falling into a trance along with Control—his mindset and experiences felt so well captured.

And somehow, amongst it all, with so much more information on the table… I still feel just as far away from any answers. I absolutely freaking love it. At this point, I’m not here for the answers. I don’t want everything explained and to suddenly make sense. I’m here for the journey. The vibes. The absolute off the wall wild speculation. I want to experience the terroir of it all.

A longer review can be read at my book blog: Marvel at Words.