Reviews - Adulthood Rites | The StoryGraph

1.6k reviews for:

Really great piece of science fiction that questions the human condition and the importance of autonomy compared to survival. This book uses several characters points of view to let us see a more diverse depiction of what it means to be human than the first book- and so, more complexly - challenges readers to think about the point of human existence without freewill. This novel is slower moving and less emotional than the first but still a great read with a great lead way into the final book.

schung13's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jessieromero418's review against another edition

4.0

challenging reflective

orbert83's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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: Yes

arielmagicesi's review against another edition

5.0

I adore this book. I procrastinated reviewing all the books I've read since November because I couldn't put into words my feelings about this book. I'm afraid of Internet commenters so I won't explain why exactly it is so personal and special to me, but I will share a quote:

Who among the Oankali was speaking for the interests of resister Humans? Who had seriously considered that it might not be enough to let Humans choose either union with the Oankali or sterile lives free of the Oankali? Trade-village Humans said it, but they were so flawed, so genetically contradictory that they were often not listened to.
He did not have their flaw. He had been assembled within the body of an ooloi. He was Oankali enough to be listened to by other Oankali and Human enough to know that resister Humans were being treated with cruelty and condescension.
Yet he had not even been able to make Amma and Shkaht understand. He did not know enough yet. These resisters had to help him learn more.

I love Octavia Butler. Her books mean a lot to me.