Is Zona believable?

[ArriettyClock]

Did you find Zona believable ? Are there any descriptive areas that you think were lacking in the novel which could have helped you understand Zona better? (e.g. descriptions of the locations, or more background on why it's forbidden, or a better scale on how large it is?)
It was a bit annoying that the novel was slow to start, and I think this contributed to my impatience surrounding the Zona.

[ankushavhad]

I read some of the recent reviews. I am not sure, if it's a geographically pinned place, but as the novel goes, it's an unexplored region of Siberia the story revolves around.

[Topsey]

I think perhaps it could be made more believable as a real place if there was more description to explain its existence. As you said, why is it forbidden? I think if the author had done a better job at answering some of those questions it would feel a lot more believable.

[B Creech]

I'm not finished reading the entire book yet, so I can't make an educated judgement on this question. However, I do agree with you about the slow start. I like for a book to capture my attention early on to keep me interested!

[shynmr]

I found the beginning pretty suspenseful because I was waiting for something to happen. I thought there would be more early conflict between the characters, so I was a bit disappointed that it never really came to fruition, but I don't think the beginning of the book detracted from the overall quality of the novel.

The level of detail about the location gave me the baseline I needed to use my imagination to fill in gaps. Because it was a work of science fiction, I didn't need the area to be especially well-defined for the book to be an interesting read. From the geopositions in Randall's journal, you can also build a better idea of where in the world the expedition is supposed to be. You'd have to do a little legwork, which the author could have removed by inserting a graphical representation, but you can see the general area to which the satellites would triangulate.

As to why the area was forbidden, I thought the explanation was more or less sufficient. It might have been useful for the author to include more information about governmental differences between the US and Russia, but I thought there were sufficient implications to paint a mental picture. The maps at the beginning of the book supplemented my reading of the text for the specific encampments and activities, so I was satisfied.

[book_fanatic_]

I think the author could have done a better job in the description of Zona. Several questions are left unanswered about its being forbidden and the geographical location. The writer could have been a bit more illustrative to engage the reader more.

[Salma_asa]

It's a fiction. It is up to one's range of imagination if you want to believe or not. But the author must give enough elements to picture everything. I think there wasn't enough.

[IchbineinBerliner]

I found the beginning pretty suspenseful because I was waiting for something to happen. I thought there would be more early conflict between the characters, so I was a bit disappointed that it never really came to fruition, but I don't think the beginning of the book detracted from the overall quality of the novel.

The level of detail about the location gave me the baseline I needed to use my imagination to fill in gaps. Because it was a work of science fiction, I didn't need the area to be especially well-defined for the book to be an interesting read. From the geopositions in Randall's journal, you can also build a better idea of where in the world the expedition is supposed to be. You'd have to do a little legwork, which the author could have removed by inserting a graphical representation, but you can see the general area to which the satellites would triangulate.

As to why the area was forbidden, I thought the explanation was more or less sufficient. It might have been useful for the author to include more information about governmental differences between the US and Russia, but I thought there were sufficient implications to paint a mental picture. The maps at the beginning of the book supplemented my reading of the text for the specific encampments and activities, so I was satisfied.

Agreed. I thought the opening chapters were pretty suspenseful, and I agree that the explanation was adequate.

[Tan TR]

At first, I was confused with what exactly was the Zona and more importantly how it looked. It would have been better if in some parts the author went into more detail about how exactly does the Zona look. But once invested in the story, it was easier to imagine. However if a place like that actually exists, well, that is the question.

[Elvis Best]

Well, I think the author did just enough with the description of Zona. I loved how I had to use my imagination to fill in the rest of the gap, as it gave me some possession over the place. Too information or detail would have defeated the story the author wanted to tell. After all, it was the expedition that hooked me in.

[Florence Nalianya]

No, its full of very many imaginations.

[AvidBibliophile]

I didn’t mind the degree of descriptive elements. I think part of what makes Zona so alluring is all the mystery that surrounds it! By slowly introducing new and unexpected details, readers were able to ‘discover’ it together on their own expedition. Geothermal waters and volcanic rumblings, unidentifiable botanical specimens, and ancient animal species all seemed believable in this context. It was easy to picture the majestic valley at the end, snuggled within a meteorite crater surrounded by waterfalls! Other than the fence electrocutions and horrific maulings, it sounded like quite the tundra/tropical paradise.

[angela roura]

As this book is a work of fiction, I believe that the reader's mind/ imagination can fill Zona in with what they see fit. As many other people say, in these cases it makes it more mysterious!

[Prachi Randeria]

I do agree with you that the book is a bit too slow in the beginning. If it were a bit more gripping in the beginning then it would have been a fantastic read. About the mysterious description of Zona, it is a work of fiction and the bits left out, make it even more intriguing.

[aaurba]

Well, it's fictional. If it were to be a real place, I don't think it's believable at all.