I’ve only read two of Butler’s books (this one included) but her mind was so vivid. This isn’t just highbrow alien smut. The whole post-apocalyptic world abducted by curious aliens is believable. One of the scary things about her work is everything is so plausible; I feel like it could happen like with The Parable of the Sower. 

There’s still an overall sci-fi core with the alien freakiness, space, new technology, and regenerative food. And there’s an emphasis on language-learning, which I love. I enjoyed Lilith so much. I felt her emotions, her frustration, confusion, and determination. She was put in a binding plight, but she made the best of it. 

Also, I love how racially diverse Butler’s work is. Usually, the black people die first in those horror/sci-fi worlds but not here. The fate of the world doesn’t come down to the usual chosen one. Fight or flight is in full effect here as well, because—well, that's human nature when confronted with something scary or repulsive.