Reviews with content warning for Racism - Dawn

I'm not fully sure what I feel about this book. It's good, yes, but also part of me is unhappy with it in a way I can't really describe. It's worth reading and deciding for yourself. I'm interested to see where it goes from here in the next book.

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tungstenmouse's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

This book is very heavy and shoves the worst traits of humanity in your face at times. I'd like to say it still gave me hope but then Butler came in behind me and crushed that hope. However, the narrative is effective and the storytelling is good. I found it all strangely believable despite its bleakness. Even the main character has unlikable traits and I appreciated that for its reality. I also appreciated how imaginative the idea of the aliens were. Very different from your standard Star Wars/Trek aliens. Also, I appreciated the allegory of the Slave Trade.

Overall, I'd say this is worth the read but just be ready to be hurt.

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meant2breading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

Very odd and thought provoking, but in a good way!!

This was my first time really reading a book like this and from this author. Dawn was seriously fascinating, yet horrifying. Octavia certainly has you dive right in. With books I’ve read lately, I feel like it takes time to get going, but WHAM! You are right in there moving and I was captivated from start to finish.

I read this a few weeks ago, and I am still sitting with how the author makes us think and feel about gender, reproduction, discrimination (multiple TWs), western medicine, societal norms, nature, etc. I’m sure my wheels will be spinning on this for a while, even after I dive into the next one(s)…

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miraclesnow's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

This book is made to be messy. As someone with a cursory interest in ethics, Octavia Butler made the Oankali truly alien in ways that go beyond their exteriors, while still feeling like sentient individuals. Nothing about this book is simple and it’s such a good way of making you think about not very common topics. I feel like I’m in knots just trying to parse everything that happened.

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