A gripping sci-fi novel from the multi-award-winning author

Dawn, the first book in Octavia E. Butler's Xenogenesis Trilogy deals with social issues that mankind grapples with today on a global level. Her insight into the hierarchical nature of man which leads to self-destruction and the destruction of the planet emphasizes the need for harmony and unity without being preachy. Dawn is science fiction at its best. After reading Dawn, I immediately purchased Lilith's Brood which contains the entire trilogy and would highly recommend this to anyone who is seriously considering purchasing Dawn.

Butler has another amazing book. Everything she writes is an incredible mix of science fiction and social commentary. What will we do when we are done destroying the only planet we have? This book is timeless in its social connections and brilliant in exploring it through this futuristic scenario.

What an amazing story. It really should be taught in schools. So many take always. I love how she touches on consent, interpersonal relationships, and society as a whole.

She is one of my favorite authors now.

I came across the name Octavia Butler when searching for science fiction books written by a black woman with a black woman as the protagonist and I found thos gem! If you are into the concept of humanity destroying itself and having to give up part of itself to survive, this book is for you. This book uses metaphors to discuss complex subjects including the role of women, the role of science and genetic enginering, the contradiction that is humanity and learning how to start over when there is little trace of the past. Dawn is an easy read and will definitely cause you to read Adulthood Rites and Imago. A great book!

Octavia Butler is a very creative writer. As I read her books I often wonder what is the stimuli that sparks such creativity. I'm on the second book of this trilogy and she just goes deeper and deeper. Good reading!

I sat down started reading and was drawn into the story immediately, before I realized it I was on the last page. I highly recommend this beautifully written work to anyone who has an interest in the human condition.

this book opened my mind up to questions about what it means to be different. here humans easily treat whatever is different with disgust and fear and violence. it takes a special kind of person to show compassion despite fear.

Although the writing itself is a bit wooden, the story is absolutely fascinating. The author has created a world and a culture unlike anything I've ever read before, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

This is a highly original book about first contact between humans and highly developed aliens after a nuclear debacle on Earth. Its aliens are some the most developed I've ever read. Unfortunately, for me the human characters are cardboard figures, other than the protagonist, Lilith. While the book is fairly long, I felt it was rushed at times, perhaps because the author told us what was happening instead of showed us what was happening. Most of the book deals with the dynamics of a small group of humans being "prepared" by the aliens for recolonization of the Earth. Personally, I don't think many of the people, especially the males, would have acted in the way portrayed, but, as I've read elsewhere, the author, a black woman, can only write from her own experiences. I give the book five stars for originality and its aliens, but three stars for the actual writing and won't be reading the sequel.

This feels like a Star Trek episode (which I mean as a high compliment). It involves strange new life and new civilizations but also the political sensibilities of Star Trek. Highly recommended if you like good science fiction with a side of "important questions."

These books are long, with many repetitions however the main character is strong, mindful and a survivor. The first book is a story about a young woman that didn't fit in anywhere, with any one. How does she live? Who befriends her? How do aliens fit into her life? The second book is an unfinished dialogue into the future. Confusing, sad and in need of a finish, yet compelling enough to read. I'm m going on to the third book in hopes of finding the ending I need!

Love Octavia Butler's trilogy. In fact all of her books are excellent. One of the very few African American science-fiction writers and was very prolific. I love all her books. She is progressive in her thinking

I had difficulty, however, believing that people would behave the way her characters behave. But my experience in life is very different than hers, so what do I know? As a white male, I have to ask, does she describe the world of other people as it is experienced by black females? If so, that is sad.

I did not like Dawn well enough to continue reading the trilogy.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the possibility of a new earth should mankind continue on it's current path of destruction. We can only hope there will be a species with enough patience to help us regain our humanity..... that's if we don't destroy them in the process. Pat

This book captivated me from the beginning. I couldn't imagine being put in a state of sleep for 200+ years and being awoken to a complete other way of life. Living among aliens and no other human beings for years would be a difficult adjustment, but re-learning how to live on earth would be harder than living with aliens in my opinion. When Nikanj said he would put Lilith and other humans back on earth eventually... stating that they would have to learn what you can and can't eat, learning to build shelter, having to adapt to new species of animals... that's scarier to me lol. In all, I really enjoyed Dawn and will buy the other two books to continue the series.

The book cannot be reviewed alone. "Dawn," "Adulthood Rites," and "Imago" need to be read together for full effect. Although I have long been a science fiction fan, this was my first foray into Octavia Butler's writing. I was impressed. The plot had enough originality to keep me interested through three books. Character development was not deep but it was more than adequate. The end of the story was bittersweet (after all, Earth dies) but appropriate and happy.

I liked these books enough that I have since obtained more of Ms. Butler's writing.

Octavia E. Butler has introduced a new take on what aliens may want from human kind. She really gets into the head of the protagonist revealing how her thoughts change as she observes human nature vs. the alien nature. Which is better for the future of the human race? Are humans too violent to be left alone to repopulate the earth? Would they make the same mistakes again and destroy themselves? Or would a mix of human and alien be the new hope for the survival of humanity's offspring?