Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer , the first in the Southern Reach Trilogy, concerns an part of the world cut off from the rest, known only as Area X. Eleven expeditions have been sent to uncover its mysteries, but have had varying results. One reported it as idealistic. Others killed themselves or each other, and the latest expedition members returned changed, only to die soon thereafter.
The twelfth expedition consists of four women known only as the psychologist, the anthropologist, the surveyor, and the biologist. Told through the biologist’s eyes, mysteries beget more mysteries, as she makes her way past dangers from the environment, as well as her own team members.
Annihilation is an intriguing little book of less than 200 pages. Some mysteries are solved or at least hinted at, but nothing is totally resolved. I can only imagine that that is what the next two books are for.
I enjoyed the book, but not so much that I will continue with the series. The biologist has made her own conclusions and decisions, and I would just as soon leave it at that. I give this book a B+.