Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Adulthood Rites

By: Octavia E. Butler
Narrated by: J.D Jackson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.83

Buy for $21.83

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

From the award-winning author of Parable of the Sower: After the near-extinction of the human race, one young man with extraordinary gifts will reveal whether the human race can learn from its past and rebuild their future . . . or is doomed to self-destruction.

In the future, nuclear war has destroyed nearly all humankind. An alien race intervenes, saving the small group of survivors from certain death. But their salvation comes at a cost.

The Oankali are able to read and mutate genetic code, and they use these skills for their own survival, interbreeding with new species to constantly adapt and evolve. They value the intelligence they see in humankind but also know that the species—rigidly bound to destructive social hierarchies—is destined for failure. They are determined that the only way forward is for the two races to produce a new hybrid species—and they will not tolerate rebellion.

Akin looks like an ordinary human child. But as the first true human-alien hybrid, he is born understanding language, then starts to form sentences at two months old. He can see at a molecular level and kill with a touch. More powerful than any human or Oankali, he will be the architect of both races' future. But before he can carry this new species into the stars, Akin must reconcile with his own heritage in a world already torn in two.

©1988 Octavia E. Butler (P)2023 Grand Central Publishing
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Adulthood Rites

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cliff Hanger

I love the depth of the story line. I had to do some mental adjusting to understand and sympathize with the beings, but I loved tge challenge. i also love the diversity of the people groups and the play on creating a world where people grouping is the reason for the world's destruction. it leaves me shaking my head "Can't we all just get along?"

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Rest of the Story

I appreciate the character and plot development as well as the blanks filled in and the dots connected. Engaging and well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Yeah better than the first

I really enjoyed following Akin a lot more. And I really think the time skip was a great choice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing view of humanity.

This sequel to Dawn was even more thought provoking and, in unexpected ways, compassionate and inspiring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A work ahead of its time

Interesting concepts. Imagine if all our human faults have origins in our genes and epigenetics. Then imagine meeting a species who solve problems from a biological perspective rather than mechanics and chemistry

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Sci Fi!

This book continues the story from book one, as a new human/Oankali hybrid is born. Skin bridges the gap between the species, but it is a dangerous place to be. More conflict, more violence, more resistance to what the Oankali are trying to do. It’s kind of depressing seeing humans continue to be shortsighted and their own worst enemy. I had to stop reading at one point because the humans were being so stupid. This is not to say that they behaved in any way out of the ordinary - they were just greedy, cruel, and shortsighted. Just being typical humans. And that was frustrating.

The book is still brilliant! We learn even more about the Oankali and their genders and abilities. I, personally, would be thrilled to let them enhance me genetically!!

TW for a brief description of a horrific rape, and other brutal violence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Imaginative and inspiring

Adulthood Rites is an excellent second part in the Lilith’s Brood series. If you loved the first book, you will love this one as well.
The way Butler plays with the contrast and mixing of human and alien beings to expose imaginative insight into what it means to be human is incredible.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Smooth Listen of the Second of the Xenogenesis Series

A really interesting novel! Octavia Butler is such an amazing author and the characters challenge you to think about so many topics including consent and autonomy. I will recommend all three books in the Xenogenesis/Lilith’s Brood trilogy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!