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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My recollection is that I accidentally read this series out of order, but it doesn't matter that much. All of Butler's books are above average and most are excellent, this one included.
I'll preface this by stating that I have become a huge Octavia Butler fan over the last few years. Devoured Kindred and the Parable of the Sower series like candy. Hers is a voice that is so sorely needed in science fiction. That's why I was a bit disappointed with this book. It was a bit hard to follow and perhaps that is because it is a prequel to a book that I haven't read yet. That may have something to do with it perhaps. I just found myself having trouble engaging with the story or the characters here. Doesn't mean that Butler is any less great. Her writing is still powerful. She does a great job of centering the stories of African and African American peoples in her works. And I still want to read the rest of the series so that is points in its favor. Not a bad book at all just didn't quite work for me.
adventurous
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:
Yes
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finally read this classic and understand why Octavia Butler is the queen of sci-fi and a deity honored for her feminist afro-futurism. Gorgeous and spell-binding treatise on power, pain, and kinship. I removed 1 star because I know this is a series but the end was lackluster compared to her other climaxes in each of the xenogenesis series (Lilith's Brood and beyond). There was not enough of a cliffhanger to want me to continue the series (though I know I will because I loved the magic described inthe book). But I deeply enjoyed the creativity of Wild Seed and was smitten by the world building. If you love witches and spirits who live amongst us and must survive, this book will seize your heart.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An incredible book. I’ve been searching for a book about a powerful female character who is also somewhat magical, and here it is. I fell in love with Anyanwu and her love/hate relationship with Doro . They are both immortals from Africa who end up in North America during slavery. I have a soft spot for stories about immortals—you’d think it would be cool to be immortal, no? Instead it’s incredibly sad and lonely. The ending was satisfying (I didn’t know how she could possibly end this book). There are others in this series but I’m not sure I want to dilute the power of this one by reading them.
I listened to the book on Audible and the reader did a great job with the various voices. The prose has a simple, folktale-like cadence. I enjoyed Kindred but this book was even better. Highly recommended!
I listened to the book on Audible and the reader did a great job with the various voices. The prose has a simple, folktale-like cadence. I enjoyed Kindred but this book was even better. Highly recommended!