A review by isabelreads
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

What a tragedy that Octavia Butler passed so soon after writing this novel. The world of the Ina is so deliberately constructed alongside ours, crafting a fascinating, knotty world of symbiosis between humans and Butler's fascinating take on vampire mythology. She address questions of speciation, racism, history, consent and justice, among others without ever taking too heavy a hand with her themes. While not a boon for everyone, due to the fact our protagonist looks like a small child while engaging with sex with fully grown humans, this isn't some kind of fetish for Butler, as it might have come across in the hands of a less-skilled writer. Rather, Butler seems to me interested in Shori's growth, development, and burgeoning adulthood. If you love vampires, you should definitely read this take! Even if you don't, pick it up anyway. Butler has yet to waste my time.