Jeff VanDermeer writes some pretty interesting sci-fi. I enjoyed The Southern Reach Trilogy and Borne was no different.

We spend the book following Rachel as she attempts to merely survive in an apocalyptic world full of altered creatures, mutant children, a giant flying bear, a magician and the “company” (who caused this nightmare in the beginning).

She’s lost her parents and she is living with Wick who was formerly a company employee. Everything changes when she finds Borne (she assumes he’s a plant) on the hind quarters of Mord while she scavenges.

This story was so weird. In a good way. But I guess a very typical Jeff VanDermeer weird. I was getting major Southern Reach vibes and kept trying to fit them together, hoping so badly they were in the same universe.

The first half or so of the book was definitely slow. Focusing a lot on Rachel and her relationships with Wick and Borne as the chaos ensues in a world outside their balcony cliffs home. I’d say the last quarter really picked up speed and I was actually wondering if we’d have answers or not before the book ended.

I’m not sure how he does it... this general eerie and creepy vibe without a lot of gorey action. It’s as though the hints and smaller descriptions are enough to create a big picture in your mind.

I recommend reading Strange Bird immediately after Borne.