Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer, is a stylistically incredible story of survival. The novel follows a Biologist, thrown into an anomalous environment that seems to have a mind of its own. She is set to discover the source of the anomaly along with several other specialists with dubious motives. With a rich exploration of the Biologist’s mind, an environment that falls perfectly into the uncanny valley, and undercurrents of mystery, distrust, and unreliability, VanderMeer creates an incredible and engaging story. VanderMeer’s unique style is incredibly refreshing and oddly nostalgic. He makes complex concepts and motivations simple and digestible but honors their complexity in his portrayal. In Annihilation, there is a sense of fullness in the characters, as if they are truly as simple as they seem, or perhaps the narrator, the Biologist, has made cursory assumptions of their character and is content with her opinions. Reading the story through the lens of the cynical yet entertaining Biologist is another way this story stands out. The narrator’s bias and potential unreliability encourage deeper analysis of every situation and conflict. However, that analysis would only add to an already incredible work, as the story is incredible whether or not you trust its telling. I would give this book five stars, and recommend it to anyone who wants a book to become invested in. Annihilation will pull you in and keep you asking questions, and therefore will be most appreciated by those who ponder it. Every new detail that emerges as fact creates many more questions than it answers, which lends itself well to the book’s eerie engagement. This book pulled me in like no other has in years and helped me get back into reading more.