Annihilation is truly singular science fiction novel that uses description and perspective to make the reader feel as bewildered and fascinated with the landscape as does its first person narrator.

The setting is that of an inexplicably altered piece of land that has been slowly spreading from a lighthouse for the past 30 years. No one knows how it has changed, and no one can understand exactly why. There is a tower, (or a tunnel, depending on whom you ask) and a mysterious organic smattering of words on the wall inside of it that may or may not hold the answers to why this land has changed.

The writing is heavily cerebral, and the events of the book are surreal and nearly indescribable. The narrator’s enigmatic hold on reality will keep you on your toes. While reading it, I felt a paradoxical mixture of pleasant, yet mildly unsettling confusion. In short, this book is about a most dangerous, mind bending, and unearthly biological survey that will shake you to the core. An excellent read, especially for fans of science fiction.

Side note: If you have seen the just released movie adaptation… you are in for an entirely different treat with the book. This is book one of a the Area X Trilogy.