Adulthood Rites

The captivating Adulthood Rites is the second novel in the Xenogenesis trilogy by the 'grand dame of science fiction' and Hugo, Locus and Nebula award-winning author Octavia E. Butler. Adulthood Rites is sure to enthral fans of Naomi Alderman's The Power and thrilling blockbusters Black Panther and Ready Player One.

'[Her] evocative, often troubling, novels explore far-reaching issues of race, sex, power and, ultimately, what it means to be human' New York Times

'In a field dominated by white male authors, Butler's African-American feminist perspective is unique, and uniquely suited to reshape the boundaries of the sci-fi genre' LA Style

Lilith Iyapo has given birth to what looks like a normal human boy, Akin. But his genealogy is complicated and includes an alien race that rescued humanity from a devastating nuclear war. The price the Oankali exact is a high one - they are compelled to genetically merge their species with other races, drastically altering both in the process.

On a rehabilitated Earth, this new race is emerging, living alongside the 'pure' humans who choose to resist the aliens and the salvation they offer. These resisters are sterilized so that they cannot reproduce the genetic defect that drives humanity to destroy itself.

When the resisters kidnap young Akin, the Oankali choose to leave the child with his captors. Will Akin give the resisters back their fertility and freedom, even though they will only destroy themselves again?

What readers are saying about ADULTHOOD RITES:

'Octavia Butler's work never fails to hook me in so far I never want to leave. '

'This is a series every Human should read. '

'Absolutely outstanding. Butler's ideas are incredible, her writing is beautiful, her storytelling compelling.'