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A review by smaber23
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is not a book I will recommend. I love Octavia Butler but this was disappointing to say the least.
CSA is a major part of the novel as other reviewers have pointed out. This is always a controversial variable to include in a vampire novel: adult living inside of a child's body. Though it is nothing new to those of of us who read vampire novels (CSA is frequently depicted in Anne Rice's IWTV), it's nonetheless shocking and disturbing.
Additionally, vampire books must have rules spelled out for the reader: do they burn or sparkle in the sun? Where do they source their blood? What are their morals, if they have any? How does one become a vampire or destroy one? The main character in this novel has amnesia as well as the novel being written from a first person POV. It quickly became a story being told to the reader instead of showing the story unfolding.
The final act of the book was the best in my opinion. If this hasn't been the author's final book, I do believe it would have more flesh and better storytelling. Overall, I will not be rereading or recommending.
CSA is a major part of the novel as other reviewers have pointed out. This is always a controversial variable to include in a vampire novel: adult living inside of a child's body. Though it is nothing new to those of of us who read vampire novels (CSA is frequently depicted in Anne Rice's IWTV), it's nonetheless shocking and disturbing.
Additionally, vampire books must have rules spelled out for the reader: do they burn or sparkle in the sun? Where do they source their blood? What are their morals, if they have any? How does one become a vampire or destroy one? The main character in this novel has amnesia as well as the novel being written from a first person POV. It quickly became a story being told to the reader instead of showing the story unfolding.
The final act of the book was the best in my opinion. If this hasn't been the author's final book, I do believe it would have more flesh and better storytelling. Overall, I will not be rereading or recommending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Blood