Reviews

Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements by Walidah Imarisha

Only show reviews with written explanations

bigann's review against another edition

4.0

I have mainly read short stories separately or in an anthology, and I really haven’t read many sci-fi short stories, so this was something really new for me! I sometimes find it hard to get into sci-fi because of the feasibility of the world building, and I’ll admit I was a little scared of how this would pan out with short stories, but I really felt most of the stories did a wonderful job of immersing you and making their worlds realistic through the integration and development of current issues in their plot lines. Some of the stories were a little hard to follow, but a lot really excelled at world-building and I loved how different the formatting was throughout the stories. Definitely made me want to pick up some Octavia Butler!

Here are my favorite stories (many authors of which I wished wrote more!):

The Long Memory by Morrigan Phillips
Hollow by Mia Mingus
Little Brown Mouse by Tunde Olaniran
Runway Blackout by Tara Betts
Aftermath by Levar Burton
Homing Instinct by Dani McClain

ashleybreader's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mandaleigh's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

barnesbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

When I walked into a local bookstore and saw an anthology of short stories inspired by and dedicated to Octavia Butler, I had to buy and read it immediately. And it did not disappoint! I love seeing the diverse and unique worlds the authors bring to life in each of the short stories. My only problem with this book is that I want most of the short stories to be full-length novels. The authors set up such interesting worlds and start the characters on amazing journeys that I want to see where the story takes them! Some of the stories don't need to be grown into full novels, but, I mean, I for sure wouldn't turn it down!!

I also loved the essays at the end. The one about Star Wars brings up some very good points that we should all probably be thinking about. And the essay about Change in Butler's works put something I'd been noticing and thinking about in coherent and easy to understand terms. It was also fantastic to read about Butler from someone who knew her when she was alive. RIP Octavia, but wherever you are, I hope you know your legacy lives on.