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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fuck! It's good. I can't believe I waited so long to read this one. Dark as fuck. For me covered psychologically the same territory as The Road (I responded quite negatively to conservative white bent to that narrative) but overall a fuller and more nuanced speculation.
Butler's writing is tight, beautifully so, like a well made climbing rope. After finishing it, I was stunned and spent some time reading about Butler. Now that science fiction has been lifted into bourgeoise consciousness as speculative fiction Butler gets the attention she deserves.
Better late than never.
Butler's writing is tight, beautifully so, like a well made climbing rope. After finishing it, I was stunned and spent some time reading about Butler. Now that science fiction has been lifted into bourgeoise consciousness as speculative fiction Butler gets the attention she deserves.
Better late than never.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I pretty well enjoyed this book but it felt to me like a first chapter in a much larger story, rather than a first book in a series. By the time I finished the last chapter it felt like the series was just starting. The characters and the setting were fascinating and I did appreciate the slow moving plot, there was plenty of time to spend with Lauren, but this story would’ve benefited from being at least twice as long. The ending feels more like a good stopping for a weekly book club than a proper ending.
And now I realize any gripe I have about this book will come back around to how it ended. So I’ll stop repeating myself. If the third book was complete, I’d probably recommend this one.
And now I realize any gripe I have about this book will come back around to how it ended. So I’ll stop repeating myself. If the third book was complete, I’d probably recommend this one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So hard to read because it feels so REAL, and in this season of our country's history it was just hard to pick this book up...I was using reading to escape a lot and this was not an escape. That being said, Octavia Butler is the shit and this book is so unique and engaging, this book kept making me think about how of we as a society would have just listened to Black women at any point in time, our reality would be so much better now. I love how subtle parts of it are, like Lauren's hyper empathy or the drug that makes people set fires; those are key to the story and so important but are not in your face. Butler is such a creative and amazing writer.
dark
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
To read about the fall of America in an apocalyptic setting that occurs in 2025 is jarring to say the least. The premise is intriguing and the worldbuilding and context is so fascinating. However, Lauren suffers from a complete and utter lack of emotion and in general we have no real character depth for any characters. While the general plot of survival is interesting, I didn't really care what happened to anyone. As an aside, the quasi-pedo relationship between a 50+ year old man and a freshly minted 18 year old is not for me. Big ick. 3.5
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really appreciate the themes and the overall message but it didn’t click with me overall. I think it’s an important read because of what it tackles, but I also think it’s important to remember books are works of art and we can appreciate the technique, the thought and passion behind it, and still not have the piece work be something you enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Cannibalism