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A review by beanjoles
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Oof. That was a slog. If this hadn't been an Octavia Butler story, I wouldn't have finished it.
I'm not huge on the concept of vampires anyway, but what really got me was the apparent pedophilia and lack of meaningful consent to sexual or romantic relationships. Did we need a description of how Wright was excited to have sex with a seemingly pre-pubescent child? Maybe if Butler had been able to continue this as a series, we'd have seen why she made this writing choice. But unfortunately we can only interpret it in a vacuum... and in that vacuum, it feels real weird.
I'm not huge on the concept of vampires anyway, but what really got me was the apparent pedophilia and lack of meaningful consent to sexual or romantic relationships. Did we need a description of how Wright was excited to have sex with a seemingly pre-pubescent child? Maybe if Butler had been able to continue this as a series, we'd have seen why she made this writing choice. But unfortunately we can only interpret it in a vacuum... and in that vacuum, it feels real weird.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia