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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
As with Dawn, I'm holding off on a star review until I've finished the trilogy. Dawn has definitely grown in my estimation since I finished reading it. As with all Butler, I find myself thinking about it often, both as my mind wanders and as I read other books that gesture—usually in less radical ways—to similar themes.
So while I wasn't gripped by the this book while reading it, I remain a bit fascinated by it, and intend to finish out the trilogy.
So while I wasn't gripped by the this book while reading it, I remain a bit fascinated by it, and intend to finish out the trilogy.
Book 2 of the Xenogenesis series, where Akin Iyapo has five biological parents. Yep. Butler's imaginative mind was such a masterpiece that she made it happen and nailed it.
- this is not really a spoiler.
Spoiler
This is well thought-out, also creative, and insightful. This book focuses more on Akin’s perspective than Lilith's, so there’s a touch of difference from the first book. While it follows Akin’s development from early childhood to adulthood, it also explores the nature of humanity—the good, the bad, and the disturbing ones. I appreciate the writing style here. This is science fiction, and it’s not my go-to genre. Topics about genetic engineering, DNA matching, sensory powers, and stuff about alien-human cross-breeding have been discussed, but Butler explains them in a very approachable manner. It was easy for me to connect with the story. There are unsettling and gross moments here, but Butler still manages to make them...compelling. I'll finish the series, but not soon. I'm still overwhelmed by the weirdness of Oankali's act of mating and their sensual encounters, or whatever they want to call them.
This book is of similar caliber to its predecessor and adeptly continues the story with a cast of old and new characters. I think this one dragged it bit in some places and rehashed material the reader already knows, but also introduced new conflicts and facets of Butler's alien species. The question remains: what does it mean to be human (or not fully human)?
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
The change of perspective makes this just as engaging as Dawn. Learning about how the humans and oankali work together is just as engaging and rich as learning about their initial meeting. Every chapter brings a fresh idea, and fleshes out the world in an extremely satisfying way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Trafficking
Moderate: Confinement, Racism
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
akin my beloved 🫶 i really enjoyed reading his inner conflict, being half human and half oankali, and how by the end he finds that his purpose is to fight for the humans' right to their own autonomy being restored to them. character development was chef's kiss 🤌