Given how good Annihilation was, I was aware that I was setting myself up for disappointment when I started reading this book. I was right. I don't know if it's fair to judge it comparatively to its predecessor or view it as an independent work, because if it's the latter, I would have probably rated it a bit higher.

Annihilation was an adrenaline fueled rush and this one is more laid-back, taking its time for a buildup. I usually don't have a problem with these type of books as I'm very patient, but unlike its predecessor it didn't make me feel like frantically searching for answers. In fact, I'm having doubts about starting the third book.

You get a glimpse of how good this book could be when

Control finds Whitby's paintings on the wall

and

later when Area X expanded to Southern Reach.

These scenes made me hold my breath, terrified me and for a moment, convinced me it's as good as the first one. Unfortunately, the slow pace with an incompatible protagonist took away all my interest from this trilogy.

I'll, however, read Acceptance anyway to satisfy the curiousity I once had.