Dawn

Dawn is an unusual, fascinating and often disturbing tale of alien invasion that you haven't seen before.

250 years after a nuclear war obliterates most of humanity, Lilith Iyapo wakes up aboard a ship of the Oankali, an alien race that has rescued the remnants of humanity. The Oankali have been busy restoring the ruined Earth and are nearing the stage to recolonize the planet. The catch is that the remaining humans are to give birth to an Oankali/human hybrid that will succeed humanity, like it or not.

Lilith's struggles with the Oankali, her situation and helplessness are well told and unnerving. While the Oankali are apparently benevolent, their removal of agency from the remaining humans and subtle manipulation are disturbing. Just remember that classic line from Robert Heinlein: "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Dawn is the first part of a trilogy and I look forward to reading more of Lilith's story and how her children and humanity's successors change the world.