Reviews

There was one major, major plot point that required complete suspension of disbelief. And that is when we discover that the humans and Oankali from Low (sorry, I listened to the audiobook so I'm not sure of spelling) didn't rescue Akin from Phoenix...because they couldn't find him?!?

So disappointing. I was expecting an intriguing explanation, like maybe they wanted him to really experience the resisters, or something. I started getting confused when Akin missed bonding with his sibling, because it was of utmost importance. And my concern grew as the cavalry still didn't show up, because I couldn't imagine the Oankali allowing that to happen, and I was thinking they were surely much crueler than the series had yet led us to believe. Just that thought was so out of character.

But it's also out of character that they would never look for him in the one resister village that they were most familiar with. What the hell! And they seem really good at finding their way around. Based on every characterization of Oankali up to that point, they would have zero trouble tracking down Akin.

I think I'm going to go down to four stars on this book. It was great, but I do not appreciate such a terrible plot hole. It's like Butler knew there was no way Akin would be left that long, so she tried to handwave it away.

Still highly recommended.

libraryofselin's review against another edition

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4.0

Read on Audiobook + Physical
4.5 stars, 8.57 on CAWPILE

30 years after the events of Dawn, Adulthood Rites follows Lilith’s son Akin, the first male born to a human woman. This book takes place over 20ish years spanning Akin’s childhood years where he tries advocate for the resisters while understanding his Oankali side. Similar to Dawn this book asks many questions about humanity, colonialism, power, the line between good and bad. This book impacted me less than Dawn but still a great entry into this trilogy. Can’t wait to see how Butler concludes this story in Imago.

finallyrobin's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

comradehaasboy's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

4.0

Content Warnings

jess_mango's review against another edition

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4.0

My final book for the Book Riot 2019 Read Harder challenge!

Adulthood Rites is the second book in the Xenogenisis series. This book continues the story from “Dawn”, but where Dawn focused on Lilith, This book tells the story of Lilith’s son Akin. Akin is part human and part Oankali (an alien species that rescued surviving humans after most of humanity died in a war). Akin is torn between loyalty to humans and his role with the Oankali.

This book is a blend of sci-fi and coming of age. We follow Akin from when he’s in utero to when he’s a young man. It was a good read and raised lots of philosophical issues.

sophie_hamer's review

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medium-paced

4.0

jslavuter's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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