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gillianc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely distressing. Butlers stories just pull me in. Within the first two lines she had me. And while I find the ending...dissatisfying. I can see how it came to be and the purpose behind it.
erin_endres's review against another edition
4.0
Octavia E Butler was not afraid to make her readers uncomfortable. This was such an interesting read and posed so many moral dilemmas and questions while also providing incredible characterization and a thoughtful plot that had me hooked
freedryk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.5
alreadyemily's review against another edition
5.0
Hot damn! I knew it would be good, but it's just so good! I won't be dithering around before continuing the series.
sana262's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
woodiefrog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I found this to be one of the most moving and tenderest of Butler’s books. Her prose flows like river and I couldn’t stop reading.
astrojazz's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
almirareads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
erinlcrane's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a little bit to get into this one, but I got more invested as it went on.
The plot is a bit odd structurally since it’s really this extended power struggle between Doro and Anyanwu. It’s episodic though there is the overarching trajectory of their relationship changing. I wasn’t totally sold on Anyanwu’s love for Doro, but I could understand it especially toward the end. The pain she feels as people she loves keep dying. Doro is the only companion she has that stays through the years. I appreciate that in some ways Anyanwu has gained power over Doro, but I don’t like that she feels this responsibility to change him or keep him from being as awful as he could be. Kind of gross, but I’m not sure how Octavia wants me to feel about it.
I highlighted mostly different points of dialogue between Doro and Anyanwu. The power dynamics between them in this story, and the way Doro completely missed the strength in Anyanwu and failed to understand her choices made for some fascinating reading.
Being a book by Octavia, race, gender, and sexuality are also explored. But I wouldn’t say she takes a deep dive in those topics like she does with Anyanwu’s struggles with Doro, how to live and protect herself and others and enjoy life with so little freedom, etc.
The plot is a bit odd structurally since it’s really this extended power struggle between Doro and Anyanwu. It’s episodic though there is the overarching trajectory of their relationship changing. I wasn’t totally sold on Anyanwu’s love for Doro, but I could understand it especially toward the end. The pain she feels as people she loves keep dying. Doro is the only companion she has that stays through the years. I appreciate that in some ways Anyanwu has gained power over Doro, but I don’t like that she feels this responsibility to change him or keep him from being as awful as he could be. Kind of gross, but I’m not sure how Octavia wants me to feel about it.
I highlighted mostly different points of dialogue between Doro and Anyanwu. The power dynamics between them in this story, and the way Doro completely missed the strength in Anyanwu and failed to understand her choices made for some fascinating reading.
Being a book by Octavia, race, gender, and sexuality are also explored. But I wouldn’t say she takes a deep dive in those topics like she does with Anyanwu’s struggles with Doro, how to live and protect herself and others and enjoy life with so little freedom, etc.
razzle97's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a tricky book to rate, it’s a prequel ( I think ) and Doro is a thoroughly unlikeable character just as strongly as Anwanyu is wonderful. The writing is great, very compelling, and themes are thought provoking but I can’t say I “enjoyed” much of this. I am hoping someone with power to stop Doro shows up in future books.