A review by readabookmofo
Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-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? N/A

4.0

The first in a series, Dawn effectively paved the way for an incredible and memorable trilogy. A big concept with a captivating FMC. This book would permeate my thoughts when I wasn't reading it, which doesn't happen often. 

The topic of sexuality was an interesting one; it puzzled and disturbed me to an extent; but it was welcome! It forced me to ponder the strict ideas of sexuality that are touted in mainstream culture in the U.S. that I've naturally adopted. As with any alien book, I couldn't help but think about what I would do in a similar situation. Dawn takes this a step further with the "trade" that is forced upon future generations of humans. 
 
Butler's writing eventually became repetitive for me, particularly emotions and dialog tags. I think this is intentional, given the plot is somewhat complex. I felt zero chemistry with the love interest, which wasn't a huge deal since that wasn't the focus. 
 
Overall, the first of Lilith's Brood was a tantalizing peak into the incredible mind of Butler. Words can't describe how excited I am to read the next two books. I'm ready for whatever wild ride Butler takes me on! 
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