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sebrittainclark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Rape
whirl's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Incest, Infertility, Rape, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, and Bullying
ashleysbookthoughts's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Thank you grandcentralpub for my gifted copy!
It’s almost impossible to review an Octavia Butler book without mentioning how ahead of her time she was. I’m not sure if this was her intention when she wrote this in 1989, but reading it in 2022 it’s difficult to not see the oankali and construct children as a metaphor for being trans or non-binary.
The oankali have three sexes: male, female, and ooloi (who use the pronoun “it” and are neither male nor female). And while they have an idea or plan for what sex a child will be, this isn’t confirmed until the child’s metamorphosis. Further, the child has a fair amount of choice and control over this, depending on which parent they gravitate towards.
When Johdas, who was presumed male, begins metamorphosis and it becomes apparent it will become ooloi instead, its parent says, “You were never male, no matter how you looked.” I’m not trans, but if I were, I can’t imagine reading that line and not feeling seen.
Johdas was a fantastic narrator and I loved finishing this series through its eyes. This series was an epic journey and I loved every second of it. Imago was the perfect end cap, but I was sad for it to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Rape
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