The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
missnelsonsings's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
john_quixote's review against another edition
5.0
Fun to read, but even better to talk about. I found the ending chilling, but others I know thought it was optimistic.
luisvilla's review against another edition
3.0
Pros: well-written; interesting ideas; characters who were well-drawn and developed over the course of the books(s). I'll definitely be grabbing more Butler from my wife's shelf.
Cons: the conclusion(s) were extremely pat and unchallenging (particularly the third book), and ultimately the most interesting question raised by Butler (below, for spoiler-ish reasons) is very underdeveloped.
------------ Spoiler ---------------
In the book, the alien species that saves what is left of human-kind identifies that human genetics has an inbuilt, ultimately destructive conflict between intelligence and a drive towards hierarchy - the latter being something that the aliens supposedly lack. But the way this is developed was frustrating and unsatisfying to me. On the one hand, the aliens do some pretty hierarchical things - on the small scale, impregnating a human character involuntarily; on the large scale, involuntarily sterilizing the entire remaining human race (later rescinded to "only" deporting them to Mars). And on the other hand, the supposed flaw in humans - despite being an incredibly important part of the plot - is explored only shallowly, with repeated, blunt points that "hey, humans kill each other"and "humans give too much deference to tall men". Given how important this was to the book, and how potentially interesting it could have been I would really have liked to have seen it developed more - how is it that humans are so stuck on this? What is it that can't be trained out of them? And vice-versa, how do the aliens make decision other than hand-wavy "we've got a mind-meld and consensus"? This doesn't make the book unreadable, or anything, just... a lost opportunity.
Cons: the conclusion(s) were extremely pat and unchallenging (particularly the third book), and ultimately the most interesting question raised by Butler (below, for spoiler-ish reasons) is very underdeveloped.
------------ Spoiler ---------------
In the book, the alien species that saves what is left of human-kind identifies that human genetics has an inbuilt, ultimately destructive conflict between intelligence and a drive towards hierarchy - the latter being something that the aliens supposedly lack. But the way this is developed was frustrating and unsatisfying to me. On the one hand, the aliens do some pretty hierarchical things - on the small scale, impregnating a human character involuntarily; on the large scale, involuntarily sterilizing the entire remaining human race (later rescinded to "only" deporting them to Mars). And on the other hand, the supposed flaw in humans - despite being an incredibly important part of the plot - is explored only shallowly, with repeated, blunt points that "hey, humans kill each other"and "humans give too much deference to tall men". Given how important this was to the book, and how potentially interesting it could have been I would really have liked to have seen it developed more - how is it that humans are so stuck on this? What is it that can't be trained out of them? And vice-versa, how do the aliens make decision other than hand-wavy "we've got a mind-meld and consensus"? This doesn't make the book unreadable, or anything, just... a lost opportunity.
themushroomalien's review against another edition
5.0
This book is actually three books in one. It’s a tale of acceptance, equality, justice, peace and love. The story starts out post nuclear war. The earth is destroyed, and only a few humans remain. Soon, a race of extremely intelligent beings from beyond the stars come to rescue the remaining humans and restore them to perfect health. Their hope is to mate with them and start a new race of beings that are both Alien and Human in not only their looks, but the way they see the world.
The aliens are called the Onkali, and they are gene traders. They saved the humans to start a new world where they both live in symbiosis. The Onkali have three genders: male, female, and ooloi (who use it/its pronouns.) They are unable to procreate unless all three are present. Thus opening a discussion for different types of relationships that live outside societal norms. This was so fascinating to me as a non-binary person. I related strongly to the ooloi. Throughout the story they struggle for acceptance.
This book is very entertaining, but it is also very important. Butler once again shares themes of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism and genderphobia. She shows us that, over time and with a bit of love and patience, acceptance can happen. Harmony can happen. We can get over our fear of those that are different than us.
The aliens are called the Onkali, and they are gene traders. They saved the humans to start a new world where they both live in symbiosis. The Onkali have three genders: male, female, and ooloi (who use it/its pronouns.) They are unable to procreate unless all three are present. Thus opening a discussion for different types of relationships that live outside societal norms. This was so fascinating to me as a non-binary person. I related strongly to the ooloi. Throughout the story they struggle for acceptance.
This book is very entertaining, but it is also very important. Butler once again shares themes of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism and genderphobia. She shows us that, over time and with a bit of love and patience, acceptance can happen. Harmony can happen. We can get over our fear of those that are different than us.
girltreadwater's review against another edition
5.0
I currently don't have words for how beautiful and deep and dark and alien this book was. I loved every second of it
ellezome's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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
4.75
andiec's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
georgina_bawden's review against another edition
4.0
I gave up on book 3 mostly because I find it hard to finish trilogies anyway, and these are linked but not continuing with the same characters so there was no real drive for me to complete the story. The first two books were great though so I may come back to it in time.
torisaur's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first book, made it through the second, but the third lost me. I had the same issue with the Patternist series- I love Octavia Butler's writing, but for some reason the multi-generational series style just doesn't do it for me.