I was worried when the book was described as "a feminist Lord of the Flies," since it was far from my favorite book in my high school English class. However, after reading the first few chapters I am convinced that while there are Lord of the Flies elements, it's much more like Annihilation (I've only seen the movie version, so I'll be describing it from that point). Just like that movie, it is haunting, mysterious, disturbing, and absolutely engrossing. In a place where nothing follows the original rules of reality but instead become violent and strange, the group of women - students and a few teachers - do what they must to survive. They don't have remorse for what they have to do, but they still have the basic elements of compassion reserved for a community focused on survival. It's hard to read because it's honest about the reality of how people trying to survive interact in the face of almost otherworldly adversity. I can't wait to read the whole book!