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ominousspectre's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to have found myself in a rut with my book choices lately lol
So, I REALLY liked her world building. I knew I would, it's Octavia Butler for gods' sakes, but she really brought some novel lore to the vampire genre. I've put some more of her sci fi on my tbr as I think I'll enjoy it better. This one was odd because if I hadn't looked to see that this was her last published novel, I would've assumed it was her first.
She was exploring a lot of issues of agency/possession, racism, and relationships, but it felt like we never really dug into them fully. Racism went the deepest, but even then it felt like nothing was gained from it being there, it's just there.
The character of Wright was REALLY hard for me to read through. He is such an unlikeable, whiny little piss baby. And he brings me to my biggest struggle with the book, and why it's not a higher rating from me.
Shori's age situation. Not an uncommon critique. I understand that she's a vampire and they age slower, but she's at an age where it's okay to have sex from her people's perspective. I understand that feeding on humans comes with a sexual component, and I don't mind that on its own.
But at the end of the day, she's in an 11 year old's body, and she's still considered a child by vampire standards. Mix in all of the sex along with Wright's possessiveness and his clear underlying racism/homophobia that's hinted at multiple times, and it all just made me feel gross. And dude clearly wanted to sleep with her before the whole biting part.
I was waiting for the ball to drop where she would come to this understanding about him, and it would tie all these themes together, but the story never does. We're just meant to accept and find him endearing even. It was very confusing.
I love some sexy vampire polyamory, but I couldn't enjoy any of it or explore the dynamics because it all just made me want to scrub my skin off. Is this what she wanted? Am I completely misunderstanding? And every time we kiss I swear I can fly? OCTAVIA
So, I REALLY liked her world building. I knew I would, it's Octavia Butler for gods' sakes, but she really brought some novel lore to the vampire genre. I've put some more of her sci fi on my tbr as I think I'll enjoy it better. This one was odd because if I hadn't looked to see that this was her last published novel, I would've assumed it was her first.
She was exploring a lot of issues of agency/possession, racism, and relationships, but it felt like we never really dug into them fully. Racism went the deepest, but even then it felt like nothing was gained from it being there, it's just there.
The character of Wright was REALLY hard for me to read through. He is such an unlikeable, whiny little piss baby. And he brings me to my biggest struggle with the book, and why it's not a higher rating from me.
Shori's age situation. Not an uncommon critique. I understand that she's a vampire and they age slower, but she's at an age where it's okay to have sex from her people's perspective. I understand that feeding on humans comes with a sexual component, and I don't mind that on its own.
But at the end of the day, she's in an 11 year old's body, and she's still considered a child by vampire standards. Mix in all of the sex along with Wright's possessiveness and his clear underlying racism/homophobia that's hinted at multiple times, and it all just made me feel gross. And dude clearly wanted to sleep with her before the whole biting part.
I was waiting for the ball to drop where she would come to this understanding about him, and it would tie all these themes together, but the story never does. We're just meant to accept and find him endearing even. It was very confusing.
I love some sexy vampire polyamory, but I couldn't enjoy any of it or explore the dynamics because it all just made me want to scrub my skin off. Is this what she wanted? Am I completely misunderstanding? And every time we kiss I swear I can fly? OCTAVIA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia
nanno_lib's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? No
4.5
kazzmed's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kyramizzyizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jaina8851's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
I am genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! It combined a lot of things that I don't usually love (vampires, amnesia as a storytelling mechanism) into a story that I just couldn't put down. In typical fashion, Octavia Butler didn't *just* create an interesting story about vampires, and instead wove in fascinating ideas about racism, society, power dynamics in relationships, and what defines humanity. The About The Author hit me like a gut punch knowing that she died so soon after this book was published. I would have loved to see any sequels she would have written in this world so like our own.
libraryloading_'s review against another edition
4.0
I think it was very thrilling and new way to see vampires. In order to get rid of the story that comes with vampires, using the name Ina gives way to create a new idea. The addictive saliva and control that the Ina exhibit makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint in order to keep themselves safe. The only thing that does make me a bit uncomfortable is the appearance of her main character being a young child. Seeing it from my mind's eye it does become pretty uncomfortable especially after certain events happen. Overall, however, I'm always an avid fan of Octavia Butler and this was a thrilling book; only wish would be to read more of it.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
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.
theworldisatext's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Definitely recommend this one as an audiobook. This read dug up a little vampire movie & book nostalgia.
Took a lot of effort to get over Shori’s initial intimate relationship with a human with her childlike appearance. Due to memory loss, not even she knows her own age. I justified this unease with the intended discomfort all good vampire books/movies give me.
Identity as an othered, genetically modified, black vampire is a major theme as Shori struggles to find where she fits as a powerful female in a male-dominated society. Really enjoyed the lore and sociological exploration Bulter gave with this novel.
Just a little blood—
Modified, I’ll heal from sun.
Death leaves me undone.
Took a lot of effort to get over Shori’s initial intimate relationship with a human with her childlike appearance. Due to memory loss, not even she knows her own age. I justified this unease with the intended discomfort all good vampire books/movies give me.
Identity as an othered, genetically modified, black vampire is a major theme as Shori struggles to find where she fits as a powerful female in a male-dominated society. Really enjoyed the lore and sociological exploration Bulter gave with this novel.
Just a little blood—
Modified, I’ll heal from sun.
Death leaves me undone.
kailunthecat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? No
5.0