Following the disastrous twelfth expedition chronicled in 'Annihilation', the second book of the Southern Reach trilogy introduces John Rodriguez, the new head of the government agency responsible for the safeguarding of Area X. His first day is spent grappling with the fall-out from the last expedition. Area X itself remains a mystery. But, as instructed by a higher authority known only as The Voice, the self-styled Control must battle to 'put his house in order'.
From a series of interrogations, a cache of hidden notes and hours of profoundly troubling video footage, the mysteries of Area X begin to reveal themselves-and what they expose pushes Control to confront disturbing truths about both himself and the agency he's promised to serve.
Undermined and under pressure to make sense of everything, Rodriguez retreats into his past in a labyrinthine search for answers. Yet the more he uncovers, the more he risks, for the secrets of the Southern Reach are more sinister than anyone could have known.
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In Control's dreams it is early morning, the sky deep blue with just a twinge of light.- INCANTATIONS: 000
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(@4thEstateBooks, 6 May 2014, e-book, 353 pages, bought from @AmazonKindle)
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I really enjoyed Authority. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book, Annihilation. The reason for this is simple, this book is mostly set at the Southern Reach Compound while the first book has a more interesting setting as it takes place in Area X which I enjoyed a bit more. This book starts soon after the events of Annihilation when the new head of Southern Reach is debriefing the previous expedition, trying to find his feet and starts digging into the previous expeditions and the true purpose of Southern Reach. I enjoyed this a lot especially the shocking ending and can't wait to read the final book.
