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gabyk_lib's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death and Xenophobia
tigerbalmbby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Murder, Xenophobia, Sexual content, and Confinement
elizmckinney9's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Xenophobia
blazingquill's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
That being said, despite its discussion of gender, it maintains a very cis and straight perspective throughout, which effected my reading of the book. There is also a very complex relationship that edges into both abuse and pedophilia that I think was intended to be read as disturbing but I know could be interpreted differently. Heavy content warnings as well for: nonconsensual procedures, noncon relationships, rape, forced sterilization, and sensory deprivation torture.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Confinement, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Rape, Xenophobia, Cancer, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Murder, Violence, and Cancer
Minor: Genocide, Incest, War, Child death, Car accident, Infertility, and Torture
readingsofaslinky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Colonisation, Confinement, Murder, Grief, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, War, and Xenophobia
storybookvisitor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Xenophobia, and Rape
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
stefhyena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
There are a couple of attempted rapes by human males and Lilith fights them as she does not fight other non-consensual stuff. The result is a "naturalisation" of rape. At one point we are told that the men were angry because being non-consensually taken by the aliens positioned them as women. Even if this is some sophisticated, ironic point Butler is making I don't find that useful. It just made me hate all the characters.
As far as Lilith goes I did invest in her early on and stayed more or less loyal even though I did not agree with things. Treating her as a character is if anything cruel optimism because any agancy she has turns out to be an illusion. To the aliens, for all they call humans "trading partners" what they are doing is colonising and enslaving them. This is possibly a good point to consider but then the humans in the book are evil and horrible too and it leaves you feeling like there is nothing to hope for or strive for - sentient life is just rotten. There are no good guys whatsoever in this.
As I said it was well written and easy to dip back into every time I got a free moment. I wanted to know what happens next because I wrongly thought (this being the first of a series) that we'd be given a moderately happy and hopeful ending.
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Rape, and Medical trauma
Minor: Suicide, War, and Suicide attempt
crowcollected's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Confinement
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, and Violence
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I have a phobia of aliens, which I've mentioned in the past. I was very creeped out going into this book, but I couldn't put the book down once I started (I finished it in two days!)
This book explores themes of gender, society, humanity - and what that means, sexuality, and I'm sure I'm missing some.
I enjoyed the world building. The aliens and the ship were all so creatively designed. This story just had so many great working parts, and it all came together to make a creepy but wonderfully written story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 Stars
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Death, Confinement, and Genocide
Moderate: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Rape, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cancer and Homophobia
raccooonhands's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Xenophobia, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Colonisation
Minor: Homophobia