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sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
Imago is the final book in the Xenogenesis trilogy by Octavia E. Butler, and it was interesting but a bit more thoughtful and deep than the first two books in the series. I didn't find this book as exciting as the first two, but I do value how thought provoking this book is, it made me think about; racism/xenophobia, humanity, community, and colonization.
Jodahs is another one of Lilith's children but it is metamorphosing into an Ooloi, the first human Ooankali Ooloi construct. As a result of it's changes and the danger it now poses, it has to exile for a while until it can get in complete control of it's new abilities. The story goes on from there.
I honestly enjoyed how thought provoking this was, even though it didn't have as much action as the first and second novels. I also love how community is a theme in all of Butler's books, and this one is no exception.
This is just my first read, I think on further reads I'll be able to enjoy the story more because I'll understand more of how I feel after having read it from beginning to end again. As of now, I don't know how I feel about the Oonakali.On the one hand, they're strong arming the future of the human race, on the other hand the saved what was left of the human race. I don't know how I feel. I know that this an allegory for colonization, so either way the Oonakali are creepy with their desires and expectations of what's left of the human race.
Overall I enjoyed this for what it was and even though it was slow in a few places it was still a good read. I'm giving this 3.5 stars out of 5.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5 Stars
I read this for free on [Libbyapp.com]
Jodahs is another one of Lilith's children but it is metamorphosing into an Ooloi, the first human Ooankali Ooloi construct. As a result of it's changes and the danger it now poses, it has to exile for a while until it can get in complete control of it's new abilities. The story goes on from there.
I honestly enjoyed how thought provoking this was, even though it didn't have as much action as the first and second novels. I also love how community is a theme in all of Butler's books, and this one is no exception.
This is just my first read, I think on further reads I'll be able to enjoy the story more because I'll understand more of how I feel after having read it from beginning to end again. As of now, I don't know how I feel about the Oonakali.
Overall I enjoyed this for what it was and even though it was slow in a few places it was still a good read. I'm giving this 3.5 stars out of 5.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5 Stars
I read this for free on [Libbyapp.com]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Grief, Death, Colonisation, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
koreanlinda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.5
I read all three books of Xenogenesis series and decided to leave a review for the series here. The series is exceptional. It has the complexity of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi or The Expanse by James S. A. Corey. The expanse of imagination reaches a lot farther involving aliens called Oankali. They are not regarded as a mere threat to humanity or a subject of human curiosity. They are heavily involved in interacting with humans in the process of building a new world. (Parts of the book is actually written in their point of view.)
I gave 4.5 starts because the last book, Imago, fell a bit short of the first two. There was a feeling of rushed wrap-up at the end. It still has an open ending for readers to imagine what could happen afterward. The beauty of this series is the unclear symbolism of various elements in the story. Ooloi, a type of Oankali, has no gender. Often humans misunderstand them as being both male and female, but that is not true. Ooloi reminded me of transgender people and non-binary people, but they are not exactly the same. Oankali as a whole can serve as a symbol of foreigners and immigrants (just people who humans are not familiar with). Of course, their interaction comes with a great deal of prejudice and discrimination.
I strongly recommend the book for young adult and adult readers. It provides bountiful fodder for thoughts and discussions. (The edition I read came with a list of discussion questions at the end.) I also recommend Parable of The Sower by the same author. I enjoyed reading the graphic novel version.
Review by Linda (she/they) in August 2023
Instagram @KoreanLinda
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
I gave 4.5 starts because the last book, Imago, fell a bit short of the first two. There was a feeling of rushed wrap-up at the end. It still has an open ending for readers to imagine what could happen afterward. The beauty of this series is the unclear symbolism of various elements in the story. Ooloi, a type of Oankali, has no gender. Often humans misunderstand them as being both male and female, but that is not true. Ooloi reminded me of transgender people and non-binary people, but they are not exactly the same. Oankali as a whole can serve as a symbol of foreigners and immigrants (just people who humans are not familiar with). Of course, their interaction comes with a great deal of prejudice and discrimination.
I strongly recommend the book for young adult and adult readers. It provides bountiful fodder for thoughts and discussions. (The edition I read came with a list of discussion questions at the end.) I also recommend Parable of The Sower by the same author. I enjoyed reading the graphic novel version.
Review by Linda (she/they) in August 2023
Instagram @KoreanLinda
Essay writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Podcaster at AmericanKsisters.com
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Transphobia, War, Xenophobia, and Violence
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