This story was grim, dark, and depressing. It gives a terrifying peek into the direction our country is heading. The economic inequality has become so wide and divided, that the rich have successfully hoarded their wealth, resources, and even jobs. Corporations own their labor and the means of production as well as necessities such as housing. The story follows Lauren, an empath, who creates a new religion cult lifestyle(?) called Earthseed 

DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING SPOILED

This book is wayyyy too real and I still don't believe that Octavia E. Butler wrote this in the early 1990s. She MUST be a time traveler or the most rich and powerful are following what happens in her book just to f*ck with us.

Lauren's extreme empathy and her Earthseed seem to be intertwined. Earthseed and all its teachings come from Lauren's empathy towards others and her understanding that they are stronger together. Her story is tragic as she loses her family so quickly into the story. There are so many themes that are revealed in this book that one read doesn't do it justice.

Upon my first reading, there are themes of individuality vs. community, capitalism, wealth inequality, climate change, and so many more.