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salemander's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Violence, War, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gore, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Medical content
kemrick19'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Blood, Racism, Murder, Death, and Body horror
lanid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Confinement, and Body horror
Moderate: Colonisation, War, Violence, Murder, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content, Death, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Kidnapping
monstrouscosmos'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? It's complicated
3.25
Relationships: 3/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 6.5/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Plot/Intrigue: 7/10
Internal Logic: 9/10
Entertainment: 3/10
Overall: 45/70, 3.25*
I read this for a challenge prompt, and chose it because I've struggled with other things I've read/listened to by Butler. while I'm glad I made it through and am grateful for the experience overall: this just wasn't something I could enjoy. I know that's kind of the point, so I'm glad I chose to listen to this when I knew I'd have the emotional bandwidth for it.
I listened to the Book 2 preview at the end and won't be continuing in the series, but I understand why it's so popular! it's just not for me.
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Medical content, Blood, Murder, Body horror, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and War
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
remescient's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Rape, Sexism, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
Minor: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cancer, and Car accident
dreareads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Listen I’m making an unnecessarily long video review about this book, don’t worry. Just know…. It’s perfect.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Torture, Grief, Self harm, War, Cursing, Mental illness, Rape, Violence, Death, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Slavery, Suicide, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Murder, Sexual assault, Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
tanilian'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? No
3.5
Moderate: Genocide, Gaslighting, Infertility, Sexual content, and Body horror
Minor: Xenophobia and War
dmteralie'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, and Death
tungstenmouse'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? Yes
4.5
Overall, I'd say this is worth the read but just be ready to be hurt.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Sexism, Slavery, Sexual violence, Body horror, Drug use, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Toxic relationship, Murder, Homophobia, Death, and Blood
ms_gouldbourne'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? It's complicated
4.5
Dawn follows Lilith, a woman held captive by an alien race called the Oankali after the destruction of the Earth and most of the human race in a nuclear war. The Oankali are looking to genetically trade with the last remaining vestiges of humanity, developing their species through interbreeding - and it's made clear that they'll be doing this with or without the consent of the humans involved, viewing Lilith fondly but more like a pet than an intelligent equal.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but Dawn throws up a huge number of big ethical questions and goes to some pretty creepy places in its quest to answer them. I do think the story could have done without quite so many sexual threads running through it - characters didn't seem to be able to form strong or lasting relationships without some sexual element to them, and consent was certainly a grey area at times - but overall I was completely captivated by this intriguing, sometimes shudder-inducing story, and I can't wait to read the next one in the trilogy.
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Body horror, Drug use, and Xenophobia
Minor: War