Book: Jeff Vandermeer's "Annihilation"

I saw the preview for the upcoming movie adaptation so I decided to check out the book.  Jeff Vandermeer's "Annihilation" is an odd little book.

The book follows a team of scientist (all women) who are sent to 'Area X' which has mysteriously appeared.  The only defining feature of Area X is the border barrier.  Other than this the book is incredibly vague about what makes Area X weird.  Yes, every expedition into Area X except one have either died or disappeared.  This is never explained.  Yes there are hints about strange creatures but the descriptions are so thin that it's hard to tell what is wrong with them.

The characters do not have names being referred only by their professions.  The characters do not act natural which is probably done are purpose to heighten the tension and weirdness of the narrative.  The location of Area X is never mentioned.

This vagueness was kind of disappointing.  This is the first book of a series so more details may come in later books but frankly I needed more to keep my interest.  The first book of a series is supposed to suck you in but I am not sure I will even read the other two books.

As I read this book I kept thinking that the storytelling style was similar to H. P. Lovecraft.  This seems appropriate since I also considered Lovecraft's horror to be vague and a bit disappointing.

I gave this book three out of five stars on Goodreads.  This may be a a case where the movie may be better than the book.

P.S.  The hardcover version of the book is listed at $153.87 on Amazon.  This for a two-hundred-ten page book.  Crazy!

P.P.S. Happy World Book Day!!!