Reviews

Adulthood Rites, by Octavia E. Butler

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infiinitepie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

4.5

sortabadass's review

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2.0

In my forever-lost-to-the-annals-of-time review of Dawn, the first book in this trilogy, I lamented Butler's apparent inability to write believable men. I was wrong and I retract this statement, deleted though it might be.

Adulthood Rites is the continued story of the Human and Oankali races as told by Akin, Lilith Iyapo's son. More specifically, it is the story of humanity's struggle against or capitulation to melding with another race. Akin is a half breed and throughout the book he struggles to understand both the Human Contradiction and the implications of Oankali trade.

This book was okay, but I didn't like it quite as much as Dawn.

Words Below

Spoiler

Vocabulary
Neoteny. (n) The retention of juvenile features in the adult animal.
Peripatus. (n) A tropical terrestrial invertebrate with a soft worm-like body and stumpy legs.

Quotes
Now they were dangerous. They were like smoldering wood that might either flare into flames or gradually cool and become less deadly. Akin made no sound, hardly moved. He must not trigger a flaring.

"Part of what we are will continue. Part of what we are will go to the stars someday. That seems better than sitting here, rotting alive or dying and leaving nothing. How can it be a sin for the people to continue?"

jigglydelight's review

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adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I did not like this book anywhere near as much as book one. However it was a good buck. I didn't necessarily "enjoy" it, it continues to push and prod you to make you consider your humanity and your role in society.

I did get annoyed at the gender essentiallism and the fact that everyone wanted kids. That was the big conflict. As someone who does not necessarily want kids, it was frustrating that this was all anybody wanted.

I also disliked that we left Lillith to follow her son Akin. I just don't like having to get used to a new MC hah.

I'll finish out the trilogy for sure, but probably not until next month.

litlistening's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

renbooks's review

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3.0

I still can't figure out if I even like this series. I didn't find this an enjoyable read but not unenjoyable either. I will finish the series but don't feel strongly one way or the other.