shereadsshedrinks's review against another edition
4.0
Really good, and I liked it better than the first Octavia Butler book I read. Definitely will be continuing in this trilogy!
jazzypizzaz's review against another edition
4.0
This book is disturbing, in a nuanced way that got way more under my skin that I thought it would. I often felt at odds with the way Lilith reacted to her captors/rescuers, while still recognizing that she had rational and realistic reactions to everything. I started out more trusting of the aliens -- how fascinating they are! advanced abilities, strange physiology! good intentions probably! we're not alone in the universe!-- and by the time the depth of their transgressions/intentions were apparent my gut was saying that she should lash out at them at all costs, even though really it was too late, and she instead made more level-headed decisions that would result in the best outcome of the situation for her.
Big scifi questions on the nature of choice and free will, about preserving culture/identity/*humanity* in the face of unstoppable upheaval, about captivity and reciprocation, and the patronizing nature of supposed rescuers. Definite allegory and parallels with real world systems of oppression.
Big scifi questions on the nature of choice and free will, about preserving culture/identity/*humanity* in the face of unstoppable upheaval, about captivity and reciprocation, and the patronizing nature of supposed rescuers. Definite allegory and parallels with real world systems of oppression.
jessakon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
queenclio's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
I adored this book! Butler's worldbuilding is phenomenal and thought-provoking. She puts her characters in challenging situations that keep me pondering long after I've put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Minor: Rape and Child death
charlily's review against another edition
5.0
OCTAVIA BUTLER you phenomenal writer. A fantastic book on humanity and ALIENS !!! So many philosophical and societal undertones it’s truly a remarkable book. I love aliens and it’s so fun to see an alien species written to truly appear alien, but fun aside it’s amazing to see the alien species written with such profundity. Just amazing no notes, onto the next with pure curiosity and wonder
literarpri's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5
ophiliae's review against another edition
4.0
Monster fucker monster fucker. But also ethical quandaries and rape and all the other Octavia butler stuff. wild. Not as distressing as her vampire fiction but… still something!
jshina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
crochetdinosaur's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75