booknug's review
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death, Body horror, Sexual assault, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Colonisation
lisaradocchia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Self harm, Sexual assault, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, War, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Xenophobia
justinlife's review
- 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
This is a beautiful, fascinating start to a series. It's post apocalyptic, it's alien invasion, it's futuristic. It's brilliant. This is one of those books that feels hard to describe without giving away a lot. Humans wrecked the earth and the remaining were abducted by aliens to study and rebuild the planet. Lilith is the protagonist, a black woman who lost her family before the war and is tasked with adjusting to the alien species and ensuring that other humans can survive in the new earth.
One thing I appreciated about the novel was how alien the aliens are. They aren't too humanoid. Butler describes them over and over again as frightening and disgusting. It's also interesting what qualities she gives the aliens that she doesn't give her humans. I appreciate all that a reader can take from this book- a discussion on colonialism, the strength of the human spirit, women in power, black women in power, consent, genetic manipulation, power dynamics. There's so much here.
This is a great start to a series and I look forward to reading the next two. Butler's prose is sharp and keeps the pacing moving quickly. This is a book that once you start, you might not want to put down.
Warning: Sexual assault, violence, consent
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Racism