/lit/ - Literature

>>20979318
Authority
Authority was surprisingly far less bothersome. The narrative didn't cause me to have a cascade of negative emotions and I didn't have a cavalcade of concerns about how it was presented. This book shows that the concern isn't only about Area X itself, but what its effect is on the world outside the area. In terms of the setting, this expansion presents a different side of the horrors that are to come. The protagonist is once again only a device to reveal the plot, but I didn't mind it as much. That he is as such was far better integrated into the narrative this time.

As a continuation of the first book, it probably does leave a lot to desired, as it's not like the first at all. This chronologically takes place after the first book, but I don't know that it would make a huge difference to read this one as the first instead. Since then it'd be like, "Oh so, that's what happened to all the characters and what was going on." There have been plenty of prequels like that. I can understand those who believe nothing outside of Area X matters, though I disagree.

The first book is adventure, exploration, mystery, and terrors. This second is being stymied by bureaucracy, navigating office politics, and being continuously undermined at any given moment by everything and everyone. The Shadowy Governmental Organization may only be so because in the shadows no one can see how decrepit it's become. For me this was more a comedy, maybe even a satire or parody, than anything else. The Weird is present, but everyone would prefer not to see it, and mostly manage not to, consciously anyway. It does take a toll on the mind though.
Rating: 3/5

Acceptance
This third book is about how events came to be and the search for answers, if not closure. The answers may not exist, and if they do, they may not be found, and if they are, they may be beyond comprehension. Regardless, there isn't any other option. One can only do as one can.

Much of the narrative takes place before the first book. Much also takes place after the second book. This sort of nonlinear storytelling was required because if were told chronologically the appropriate context wouldn't be available and also because there would be far less mystery. There is far less action than the first book and it doesn't have what I saw as the comedic elements of the second book. There's not much to recommend it aside from continuing to be in the weird atmosphere and better understanding the lives of a few characters.

There may be a fourth book, or even a fifth. The author has indicated as such. As to when they'd be a released, from what I saw the fourth may be released in 2024 or 2025. That is assuming they ever are. It's possible that I'll read them, if only because I wonder how much more of a mess it may become. It's more likely though that I won't care enough and any residual feeling will have dissipated.
Rating: 2/5