This book shows VanderMeer's mastery of writing a compelling, timely, and haunting narrative. I watched the movie with Natalie Portman before realizing it was a book. My first chance to read this ended up being in a Science Fiction literature class. It is a fantastic read and a fascinating book to discuss. For those who have watched the movie and haven't read the book, Vandermeer ensured that the overall feeling of the book was carried over well into the visual medium. However, the book is nothing that the movie prepared me for. If you haven't watched the movie yet, I recommend reading first and watching the movie sometime after. - 2019

I have yet to read books 2 and 3, but having read a science fiction anthology that the VanderMeers put together... I would expect them to be of similar quality. It was a delight to read this to my parents. - 9/12/2020

Reading this with Kull (my fiance) was fantastic. I don't think he loved this book nearly as much as I do... But be certainly seemed to enjoy it and it sparked a lot of fun discussions for us and that is really everything I wanted out of reading this with him. -11/5/2021

Read this with my bookclub and it was a huge success all around. I am very pleased because my obsession with this book is unending and my disappointment in them would have been great. Can you trust a bookclub that reads one of your favorite books and hates it or worse, finds it mediocre? I was glad to not have such situation arise. I had a lot of thoughts this time around about "mutual colonization" the idea that the colonizing is just as affected (if in less brutal ways) then the colonized. It is something we should keep in mind when interacting with other cultures, peoples, nature, and space. I think it is something those with power forget to consider... how can the conquered affect them when the power wielded is so clear? Food for thought. Interesting food for thought while I am also reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. - 5/4/2025