Scan barcode
biblio_jordyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m dipping my toes into a genre I haven’t really tried...SCI-Fi.
I binged this book in a day.
I found it to be interesting & exciting & weird in the best way!
The way the author built the world in the novel mixing in the familiar with the unfamiliar was great, especially for a novice sci-fi reader, like myself.
AND WAIT THERE’S MORE...
This book was first published in 87, so before reading I did have some concerns on some societal ideas it may have... BUT, I was completely shocked/pleased with how before it’s time it was regarding nonbinary identity.
The author writes:
“It’s wrong to assume that I must be a sex you’re familiar with.”
And then later when someone refuses to acknowledge that a being does not fit into a sex?
“..a kind of deliberate, persistent ignorance.”
In 1987 with these ideas that are still so relevant?!?! YES I AM HERE FOR IT.
Also, the fact that the beings that don’t conform to the gender roles are aliens and it was an alien concept at the time that this was written? That’s cool.
I will say the non-binary beings weren’t referred to as they/them but It, so just a warning it’s not perfect, but it did seem like a choice by those people.
This book was thought provoking & different!
I binged this book in a day.
I found it to be interesting & exciting & weird in the best way!
The way the author built the world in the novel mixing in the familiar with the unfamiliar was great, especially for a novice sci-fi reader, like myself.
AND WAIT THERE’S MORE...
This book was first published in 87, so before reading I did have some concerns on some societal ideas it may have... BUT, I was completely shocked/pleased with how before it’s time it was regarding nonbinary identity.
The author writes:
“It’s wrong to assume that I must be a sex you’re familiar with.”
And then later when someone refuses to acknowledge that a being does not fit into a sex?
“..a kind of deliberate, persistent ignorance.”
In 1987 with these ideas that are still so relevant?!?! YES I AM HERE FOR IT.
Also, the fact that the beings that don’t conform to the gender roles are aliens and it was an alien concept at the time that this was written? That’s cool.
I will say the non-binary beings weren’t referred to as they/them but It, so just a warning it’s not perfect, but it did seem like a choice by those people.
This book was thought provoking & different!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child death and Rape
thatdistantlake's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Rape, and Suicide attempt
kirkspockreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
justinlife's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Reading books like this makes me upset that science fiction/speculative fiction/fantasy gained a reputation of being a boy's club, primarily a white boy's club. When I think of the genre, I think of Philip K Dick, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Tolkien and Lewis, etc. I don't recall hearing a lot about the women who created and thrived in the genre, but they did and they created amazing works.
This is a beautiful, fascinating start to a series. It's post apocalyptic, it's alien invasion, it's futuristic. It's brilliant. This is one of those books that feels hard to describe without giving away a lot. Humans wrecked the earth and the remaining were abducted by aliens to study and rebuild the planet. Lilith is the protagonist, a black woman who lost her family before the war and is tasked with adjusting to the alien species and ensuring that other humans can survive in the new earth.
One thing I appreciated about the novel was how alien the aliens are. They aren't too humanoid. Butler describes them over and over again as frightening and disgusting. It's also interesting what qualities she gives the aliens that she doesn't give her humans. I appreciate all that a reader can take from this book- a discussion on colonialism, the strength of the human spirit, women in power, black women in power, consent, genetic manipulation, power dynamics. There's so much here.
This is a great start to a series and I look forward to reading the next two. Butler's prose is sharp and keeps the pacing moving quickly. This is a book that once you start, you might not want to put down.
Warning: Sexual assault, violence, consent
This is a beautiful, fascinating start to a series. It's post apocalyptic, it's alien invasion, it's futuristic. It's brilliant. This is one of those books that feels hard to describe without giving away a lot. Humans wrecked the earth and the remaining were abducted by aliens to study and rebuild the planet. Lilith is the protagonist, a black woman who lost her family before the war and is tasked with adjusting to the alien species and ensuring that other humans can survive in the new earth.
One thing I appreciated about the novel was how alien the aliens are. They aren't too humanoid. Butler describes them over and over again as frightening and disgusting. It's also interesting what qualities she gives the aliens that she doesn't give her humans. I appreciate all that a reader can take from this book- a discussion on colonialism, the strength of the human spirit, women in power, black women in power, consent, genetic manipulation, power dynamics. There's so much here.
This is a great start to a series and I look forward to reading the next two. Butler's prose is sharp and keeps the pacing moving quickly. This is a book that once you start, you might not want to put down.
Warning: Sexual assault, violence, consent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Racism
sydflower's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Some of my favorite words to describe this book:
- Captivating
- Intriguing
- Uncomfortable
- Honest
- Frustrating
I love the depth it brings to questions about consent, freedom, flaws of humanity, intimacy, and the simple acceptance of being non-binary. We love/hate/are super uncomfortable with this alien love story/rescue/jailing.
(I’ll come back and add a rating when I finish the series!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Homophobia
More...