I have strong and complex feelings about this series: a giant swirl of intrigue, disgust, frustration, curiosity, boredom, and exasperation. I couldn't explain why I felt the need to read this after despising book three, but here I am, entering Area X again, of my own free will. At least I was able to manage my expectations this time, which helped me enjoy this book more than my rating suggests. I particularly enjoyed all the fucks in the last act. This book and the Southern Reach as a whole is interesting. It can be fascinating and compelling, but I'm never satisfied. I'm not even content with my lack of satisfaction.