I recently read the book Annihilation, by Jeff Vandermeer. I had previously seen the movie of the same name, which I very much enjoyed. (And was very much engaged in fear in that one scene. Other watchers will know the one.)

I decided to read the book because, as regular readers of novels that have been adapted to the screen know, the books usually have some differences and extra interesting bits.

I was, delighted, actually, to discover that the book Annihilation is almost a completely different story. Different in a really good way. It played out differently, different things happened, But all in the same universe. Let me explain. In the story that this takes place, there had been many other expeditions' that had gone into Area X, and so to me, I likened the story as I was reading it, to be more like one of those other expeditions.

By the end of the book I was sad that it was over so quickly. It is five long chapters, with frequent breakages marked by a feather, rather than * * * . Short, but not too short. Pacing is excellent. Just a little bit of exposition here and there.

The book and the movie, is kind of a Sci-fi horror. 'horror' or sorts, not the usual jump scare kind. If you've seen the movie, liked it, I really do recommend the book. I borrowed mine from the library.

Oh, turns out there's three more books after this, as part of what's called the Southern Reach series. They're not direct sequels so much as stories in the same universe, I believe. And I'm looking forward to catching up with the protagonist of Annihilation, in one of them. Library doesn't have those books, so I'm going to buy them.

Seen the movie? Read the book/s?