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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I mean like…how do you write a review for a book like this?
Everything Butler did well in Dawn is amped up to eleven here. The story alone, I mean my god. I was not expecting her to go in this direction and was actually a little worried I wouldn’t love it as much as the first book, but it completely blew me away. It was engaging from start to finish and makes me anxious to read Imago.
The writing, of course, is amazing. The way Butler is able to situate the reader into Akin’s mind is so incredible. This character belongs to a new type of human-Oankali species and yet he feels so grounded and realistic; in terms of both his personality and biology. I loved watching how he struggled with his identity and the resolution of that conflict was very satisfying.
I really loved the topics being explored as well. The way Butler interweaves discussions of humanity and identity and gender and race and genetics and more and more and more—I mean come on! She was truly a one-of-a-kind writer.
Another thing that I love about Butler’s work is just how gripping it is. This kind of conceptual science fiction can easily be written in a more meditative, philosophical tone. I like (and even love) those kinds of books, but let’s be honest they can get a little preachy. Butler, however, manages to tackle so many distinct concepts and themes without ever losing the story at hand. These books are page-turners!! They have action, intrigue, thrills, romance, AND complex meditations on the essential nature and future of humanity. There’s really something for everybody here.
So, yeah. I loved this so much I can’t even really articulate it. Reading this just made me even more sad that we lost Butler so young, we really will never see another writer like her.
Everything Butler did well in Dawn is amped up to eleven here. The story alone, I mean my god. I was not expecting her to go in this direction and was actually a little worried I wouldn’t love it as much as the first book, but it completely blew me away. It was engaging from start to finish and makes me anxious to read Imago.
The writing, of course, is amazing. The way Butler is able to situate the reader into Akin’s mind is so incredible. This character belongs to a new type of human-Oankali species and yet he feels so grounded and realistic; in terms of both his personality and biology. I loved watching how he struggled with his identity and the resolution of that conflict was very satisfying.
I really loved the topics being explored as well. The way Butler interweaves discussions of humanity and identity and gender and race and genetics and more and more and more—I mean come on! She was truly a one-of-a-kind writer.
Another thing that I love about Butler’s work is just how gripping it is. This kind of conceptual science fiction can easily be written in a more meditative, philosophical tone. I like (and even love) those kinds of books, but let’s be honest they can get a little preachy. Butler, however, manages to tackle so many distinct concepts and themes without ever losing the story at hand. These books are page-turners!! They have action, intrigue, thrills, romance, AND complex meditations on the essential nature and future of humanity. There’s really something for everybody here.
So, yeah. I loved this so much I can’t even really articulate it. Reading this just made me even more sad that we lost Butler so young, we really will never see another writer like her.
I wanted more Lilith and less Akin; leave it to men to mess up a good thing.
Slightly better than the first because it's not as frustrating. It's satisfying to see akin actually make progress toward convincing people and achieving his goal
Excellent, suspenseful opening third. Falls into heaps of discussion and explanation. Final few chapters brought back the action.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
"Humans are freer to decide what they want," he said softly.
"They only think they are," Dehkiaht replied.
Butler somehow makes me simultaneously root for and despise the Oankali, which is a testament to her writing abilities. The Oankali's actions on Earth are a direct mirror to various colonialist movements, all wrapped up in a package filled with ethical dilemmas and an exploration of what it means to be human.
"They only think they are," Dehkiaht replied.
Butler somehow makes me simultaneously root for and despise the Oankali, which is a testament to her writing abilities. The Oankali's actions on Earth are a direct mirror to various colonialist movements, all wrapped up in a package filled with ethical dilemmas and an exploration of what it means to be human.
Aliens, resisters, earth takeover and more. This book is so strange, it’s hard to describe; I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to book 3.
I read this book so quickly. I love being immersed in this world Octavia has created. I had a hard time adjusting to the big time jump and new protagonist (the 1st MC's 1st son) because there was so much that could've happened in that time. There could be a whole book between the 1st and 2nd. But once I got past that, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The new POV helped us better understand the Owankali and the author took us on quite a ride. Book 3 starts with a giant time jump too and doesn't resolve the cliff hanger ending of this book, at least not yet. Again, 10/10 amazing, I could see myself rereading the series, but I wish there was another book.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes