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year23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A super interesting and creative take on vampires with the to be expected great writing and social commentary indicative of Butler's works.
The first half was a bit repetitive, which slowed down the pacing a bit. However, the writing was great so it didn't take away from the experience or story at all.
This is my seventh Butler book and I think of all of them, this story was less gripping than the others (for me, personally) which is why my rating is at a 3.5. I think some of that is the repetition, I think another piece is the stakes - though they feel high at the beginning of the book, you soon discover that Shori is superpowered in ways that make the threat against her much less dire. The threat to the Ina community is very high and some clearly see her as a threat, but in terms of a central conflict pushing the story forward, it felt like a novel that should have been a short story almost because there really is little that actually happens & the stakes are quite low as you learn more.
Another theme that I've seen in Butler's works is manipulated or forced sexual relationships - either through alien bugs infecting you or psychic holds over you or here, vampire bites that create "insta-bonds". It shows up in almost every book I've read by her and I plan on doing more reading of scholars who talk about what she's doing with this. Here, I think it cuts against character development and earned relationships. It also means there's a lot less investment for the reader in these relationships because there is no development, it just happens immediately and suddenly everyone is brainwashed. That gets explored way more in the Patternmaster series for the moral/ethical problems that brings up - but here it's treated as a good or benefit - i.e. symbiotic relationships - but I found it to be just as unethical and horrific.
The first half was a bit repetitive, which slowed down the pacing a bit. However, the writing was great so it didn't take away from the experience or story at all.
This is my seventh Butler book and I think of all of them, this story was less gripping than the others (for me, personally) which is why my rating is at a 3.5. I think some of that is the repetition, I think another piece is the stakes - though they feel high at the beginning of the book, you soon discover that Shori is superpowered in ways that make the threat against her much less dire. The threat to the Ina community is very high and some clearly see her as a threat, but in terms of a central conflict pushing the story forward, it felt like a novel that should have been a short story almost because there really is little that actually happens & the stakes are quite low as you learn more.
Another theme that I've seen in Butler's works is manipulated or forced sexual relationships - either through alien bugs infecting you or psychic holds over you or here, vampire bites that create "insta-bonds". It shows up in almost every book I've read by her and I plan on doing more reading of scholars who talk about what she's doing with this. Here, I think it cuts against character development and earned relationships. It also means there's a lot less investment for the reader in these relationships because there is no development, it just happens immediately and suddenly everyone is brainwashed. That gets explored way more in the Patternmaster series for the moral/ethical problems that brings up - but here it's treated as a good or benefit - i.e. symbiotic relationships - but I found it to be just as unethical and horrific.
gavig's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia
tal42levy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
thesneakybird's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sofie_loefberg's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jossie90's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kara999's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
rshearon's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
this was such an interesting read. so unlike anything i’ve ever read before. there are TONS of themes that i will sit with for a while. the story itself was captivating and the lore was very interesting. the plot was mysterious and informative and the characters were all so intriguing. the themes of racism and slavery and punishment and more were all so cleverly written into the story alongside a really interesting vampire society. it was so satisfyingly uncomfortable. like damn even vampires gotta be racist and creepy ??
i can’t believe this is the first octavia butler book ive read but it definitely won’t be the last!
i can’t believe this is the first octavia butler book ive read but it definitely won’t be the last!
emilyb_chicago's review
1.0
Characters are wooden and unbelievable. The pacing is inconsistent with lots of telling, not showing. The first couple chapters have a lot of potential and by mid book it’s a slog through stilted dialog. By the end the characters are so over the top I was thankful it was over. This ends with an obvious setup for another novel, though I am not interested.
In general, I’m surprised this was one of her later works. Definitely skip this book.
In general, I’m surprised this was one of her later works. Definitely skip this book.
elisepolice's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5