A review by botanicpanic
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

If you are planning on reading this, please check the content warnings. The story has rich lore and interesting themes, but has graphic scenes depicting sexual relationships with (essentially) a child and dubious consent with no clear resolution in the broader narrative. This made it almost impossible to like the main characters and no matter how long I read, I couldn't seem to get past it.

I had high hopes for this book and was so ready to love it, but the experience has left me very disappointed. This may be because it was university reading and needed deeper analysis which only compounded my issues with the graphic scenes, but I can't pretend it's an easy read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Pedophilia, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Grief, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury

Shori is a 53-year-old vampire (or ‘Ina’) who looks like an 11-year-old girl and is considered a child by other Ina. She begins sexual relationships with five adult humans and a suggested future relationship with an adult Ina. Shori is also the target of multiple racially-motivated attacks and slurs, as she is the first Ina to have dark skin.