Reviews

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

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bluejaybooks's review against another edition

4.0

This science fiction novel is very different from what I normally read, making for a nice change in pace. I liked the first half better than the second, as by the end some of the sense of wonder had worn off.

An interesting take on alien invasions.

harlisc's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

dmrosenblatt's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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buddychumpalfriend's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Honestly intrigued by the lack of queer characters. Ignoring when it was written and thinking only in a world building sense it has interesting implications. A same sex couple would not have been able to “trade”, so are queer people kept in the suspended animation, never to be woken? And yet while unable to trade, queer relationships and identities parallel much better to the setup their alien society has. Also wow the tone of this book shifts crazily. I know the second half wasn’t only human x alien threesomes but fuck it felt like it.

Content Warnings

personalcurio's review against another edition

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fast-paced

4.0

davidcottington's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm not completely sure how I feel about this. Such a strange concept but just couldn't stop reading. Weird, alien, dystopian, Hunger Games vibes.

I think I'm excited to read the next book.

rocomama's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

darri_reads's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was a critique on xenophobia. However, I found myself more obsessing over the theory that this could also be a reference to the Abrahamic religions belief of the creation of man. The Oankali revived Earth, creating the land and the animals, and our main character's name is Lilith. I don't think this was a coincidence.

Overall, I thought the book was okay. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It was interesting enough to keep reading and that was really all that kept be interested. The end was a bit disappointing, but the Oankali were doing that they did best.

"Grief was grief, she thought. It was pain and loss and despair - an abrupt end where there should have been a continuing."

This review is dedicated to my cat, Halo, who passed away while I was reading this book. May you be in a better place.

Content Warnings

sunshine_oracle's review against another edition

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challenging medium-paced

3.5

shallanradiant's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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