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Fledgling
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
Fledgling, Octavia Butlers last novel, is the story of an apparently young, amnesiac girl whose alarmingly un-human needs and abilities lead her to a startling conclusion: she is in fact a genetically modified, 53-year-old vampire. Forced to discover what she can about her stolen former life, she must at the same time learn who wantedand still wantsto destroy her and those she cares for, and how she can save herself. Fledgling is a captivating novel that tests the limits of "otherness" and questions what it means to be truly human.From the Hardcover edition.
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review
NikkiCureton
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I‘m ashamed to say this is my first Octavia Butler book, but it will most certainly not be my last. This book was so good, an excellent commentary on humanity and race. More than just a vampire story. 🎧

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DavidDiamond
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

Octavia Butler upends vampire mythology with this tale of a Black female vampire who is the sole survivor from an attack that left her with amnesia & her entire family dead. Now she must piece together her history & find those responsible.
While the inner workings of vampire families were at times confusing, this allegory of racism in America & the journey of self-discovery our hero embarks upon was an enjoyable page turner.

ShelleyBooksie Stunning cover 13mo
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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S3V3N
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94
✨Mystery
✨Serial Killer
✨Octavia Butler books.

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🎃✨🕯📖🏚 1y
15 likes1 comment
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HiMyNames_Alyssa
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Mehso-so

I was recommended this book as my black history month read. While, yes, it touches on racism and prejudice it takes a while to get there. There is also sexual tension and jealousy that I find 0% necessary and the number of times the main character has to remind people of her injury is 100% infuriating and also unnecessary. The writing to me just wasn't that good. Good enough to finish with an only somewhat satisfying ending. But no more.

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SkeletonKey
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Current audiobook for my horror bookclub group.

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j9brown
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

So engrossing that I basically got lost while reading it (rode the train beyond the last stop, had no idea where I was for a solid few minutes 😂)
That's it, that's the endorsement. Got very lost in this book!

wanderinglynn When you miss your stop & are temporarily confused on where you are, that‘s a good book! 2y
KatieDid927 💃🏻 2y
Smrloomis Completely agree, that‘s a good book for sure! 😀 2y
WJCintron I have a copy! Haven‘t read it yet. Good to know it‘s a good book!! Thanks for sharing! 😃👍 2y
59 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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KatieDid927
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved it. This is one of the best vampire stories I‘ve ever read. I didn‘t have a problem at all with any of the narrative choices. The way Butler flipped the typical vampire tropes is genius. #Screamathon @4thhouseontheleft

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sprainedbrain
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

So glad that you picked this one for #LMPBC Charlene!

An extremely character-driven vampire story like no vampire story I‘ve experienced before. Smart, engaging, mysterious, and filled with Butler‘s social criticism, with a fairly intense vampire-courtroom drama finishing the story. There are some unusual choices early on, but I stuck with it and ultimately loved the book. Sad that this was her last book—I would have loved more Shori.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

sprainedbrain Your book will be in the mail to you today, @AFrostCauseReads ❤️ 2y
AFrostCauseReads Yay! So glad you liked it! I was afraid it was gunna be polarizing with the “unusual choices early on”. After it got into the background of Ina culture and the politics took the main stage, I really enjoyed it! 2y
KatieDid927 I just finished it last night myself! I loved it. My take about the “unusual choices” is that she turned the typical vampire trope on its head. Shori may LOOK a certain way, but she‘s 53. To me, that‘s way less icky than 200 year old vampire dudes aggressively pursuing actual 15/16 year old children. 2y
sprainedbrain @KatieDid927 couldn‘t agree more! It really wasn‘t icky at all for me because Shori most definitely didn‘t have a child mentality (even if she was just a baby vampire). 😉 2y
78 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Bookwormjillk
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

This was a book about vampires, but it was really social commentary in the best Octavia Butler way. One thing that bothered me was the main character was 57 but appeared to be around 10 and had physical relationships with several full grown adults. I‘m sure Butler meant something genius and spot on with this choice but it went right over my head because all I could think was ick. #Screamathon #DiversifyYourHorrorShelves #OutstandingOctober book1/5

Andrew65 well done 👏👏👏 2y
TheSpineView Excellant! 🤩 2y
See All 9 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
Roary47 Nice! 😊💛 2y
KatieDid927 My take is that she was turning the typical trope on its head. Okay, she looks a certain way, but she‘s in her 50s. I think the stereotypical 200+ old male vampire aggressively pursuing actual human children (Twilight, Buffy, every vampire story ever) is significantly worse, and I think that‘s what she was inverting and challenging. 2y
Bookwormjillk @KatieDid927 ah, interesting. I wouldn‘t have picked up on that because as a rule I NEVER read vampire books. The thought of drinking blood makes me 🤢 I only gave this one a chance because it‘s Octavia Butler. 2y
KatieDid927 @Bookwormjillk Oh, interesting! I'm a big vampire nerd and am really into vampire lore, so that's where I went with it. That's my personal interpretation, anyway. 2y
Bookwormjillk @KatieDid927 it makes a lot of sense! 2y
57 likes9 comments
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Karisa
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

So freaking good! I‘m totally having character withdrawals after finishing this vampire book with a twist (or to or three). It took me a little to warm up to this world where the rules of vampires are very different. But soon I was fully invested in Shori, her symbionts, and the mystery she works to unravel to bring justice for her family.

#Screamathon @4thhouseontheleft thank you for this challenge and leading me to a great book!

Ruthiella I think Butler is amazing. The idea of a symbiotic relationship between humans and aliens is a recurring theme in her work. 2y
rjsthumbelina It makes me sad that she never got to write the sequels 2y
Karisa @rjsthumbelina @rjsthumbelina Her death is still a great loss! This book was just crying out for sequels. She said it was written as a fun write too (after the Parable series took so much research). The more Butler I read, the more I love her worldbuilding! 2y
71 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Karisa
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻Gotta love it when the book you want is instantly available to borrow on Libby. Hurray!

I ❤️ Libby!

Megabooks Libby is the best!! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage This one is so good!! 2y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rjsthumbelina
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

This was very different for Octavia. Her take on vampire lore is outside the realm of the ordinary, but developed well. I always love how she mixes strong world-building and characters with social commentary. I will say, though, the relationships in this were something I couldn't get past. I don't like that the main character looks like a child (even though she's not - vamp thing) but engages in sexual activities with adults. I was surprised at ⬇️

rjsthumbelina Butler's choice there. I do still wish that she'd gotten to tell more of Shori's story though. I would have been interested to see how the Ina world continued to develop over time. 3y
HeathHof Sounds good! I'm about to send Melmoth out tomorrow 3y
36 likes3 comments
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Kiralyn
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book, I read it very quickly as I do with most things by octavia butler. But I do I understand if people are put off by this one as the main character physically looks like a child (even if she‘s not) and has a robust sex life throughout the novel.

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂
Check out #LitsyEvents for a varied listing of fun-related happenings within this neighborhood of fellow readers.🤗
2y
5 likes1 comment
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Veenie
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I‘ve enjoyed all of her books and can‘t believe Ive just discovered her in the last couple of years. This is a bit different from her science fiction, perhaps lighter in some ways, but a nice take on vampire legends.

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AFrostCauseReads
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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Finished reading and adding notes to my #lmpbc book! It should be in the mail on its way to @rjsthumbelina within the hour 😄

I‘ll reserve my review until after we‘ve all had a chance to read it, I don‘t want to influence any one.

Yay #groupk doing Gothic Lit! @sprainedbrain @Mynameisacolour

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AFrostCauseReads
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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It‘s my first time doing #LMPBC !!! Super excited to read some gothic literature with #GroupK

@Mynameisacolour @rjsthumbelina @sprainedbrain

Here are my suggestions for my pick. Have you read any already? Do any of these look good? I‘m leaning a little more to Fledgling by Octavia Butler, but let me know your thoughts/opinion!

See All 6 Comments
HeathHof I've read The Broken Girls & I'm with you on Fledgling 3y
sprainedbrain I‘ve also read The Broken Girls, but I‘ve had my eye on all three of the others, so would be happy with any! 3y
rjsthumbelina House of Whispers would be my number 1 choice, but any of them would be fine 3y
11 likes6 comments
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TheSpineView
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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#MoviesInMay @Klou
Prompt: Tom Cruise

DarkMina Love this movie and the book by Anne Rice! I haven‘t read Fledgling, but it sounds interesting. (edited) 3y
TheSpineView @DarkMina ❤🧛‍♀️ 3y
Klou I agree with @DarkMina it definitely sounds interesting! 3y
TheSpineView @Klou I enjoyed the story. 3y
55 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Kimberlone
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Got together at a friend‘s house on Monday night, and she was telling me about this new book she had started. I have heard of this author, but not this specific book and it sounded FASCINATING. She is going to let me borrow her copy when she finishes.

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Kaag
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I flew right through this one. An interesting tale of a young hybrid vampire amnesiac who attempts to discover herself and her kind while unspeakable violence is chasing her at every turn. I enjoyed discovering the vampiric lore along with our main character. Particularly interesting was power dynamics between Ina (vampires) and between Ina and humans. Definitely interested in digging into some of her earlier works.

Kaag Note: There is a disturbing mental image throughout the book since the main character looks 10 but is really 53, I can see how that could repel some but in this case everything associated with it happens because of her vampirosity. 3y
5 likes1 comment
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Copwithabook
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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Help! Has anyone read Fledgling? I‘m not far into it at all and because of my job I‘m super weirded out by the relationship between the MC and Wright. Does that continue? I‘m she‘s described as looking 10 or 11. My mental picture may be too sharp to keep going.

Reggie Yeah it‘s very weird because she is in a child‘s body but I think she‘s 300 years old. And yes the relationship does continue. 3y
Copwithabook @Reggie thanks for letting me know! I may give it a bit more effort. It‘s disappointing that I may DNF this once bc I do love Octavia Butler. 3y
ReadingisMyPassion I love her book “Kindred“. 3y
28 likes3 comments
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PhoenixRISING2x
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
This post contains spoilers
show me

Once Shori meets her father, the details of how Butler's world of vampires begins to resemble too much like the houses in the Patternmaster series. I did not recognize this the first time I read Fledgling because I had yet to read the Patternmaster books.

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vivastory
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Mehso-so

I started Fledgling Feb 17th. It took me until today to read the first 80 percent. I just read a summary of the book in order to find out what happens at the end. I'm counting it as finished, goddamn it. As anyone who follows me knows, I loved Butler's Parable duology. I read it over a year ago and still think about it. Also greatly enjoyed Kindred. But Fledgling simply didn't work. It's bogged down in too much detail, the characters all talk👇

vivastory the same. Yes, the vampire world that Butler builds is theoretically interesting, but with unengaging characters & flat dialogue I frequently found my mind wandering towards other books. An experience I'd never had with Butler. Still looking forward to exploring more of her work. Hope to read Wild Seed soon. 3y
Reggie Yeah, out of all I‘ve read from her this was the weakest. 3y
Kalalalatja I bailed on this early on, but I really want to read some of her other books! 3y
readordierachel I started this a few months ago and set it aside pretty quickly. I'm in less of a rush to get back to it now. Looking forward to the Patternist books though. 3y
QuintusMarcus Thanks so much for this review - I was going to read Fledgling, as it‘s in the new LOA collection. But now I think I‘ll skip it. Agreed also with your comments on Kindred and the parable novels - those were excellent. 3y
97 likes5 comments
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ThisIsAvaRose
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Good evening.

ThisIsAvaRose Update: I finished this book and I absolutely loved it. 3y
6 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
Fledgling | Octavia E. Butler
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I‘m feeling a little spooky today! 🌘

1. The house in The Secret Garden. (Did I pick this one mostly for the garden? Yes, yes I did)
2. I feel like a gothic novel has to have a catch somewhere at the end, like even if everything looks like it works out, there has to have been a sizable cost.
3. Added the tagged book!

#sundayfunday Have a great day, and don‘t forget to tag me!

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TheBookDream
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
Bailedbailed
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TheBookDream
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Today and tomorrow are all about #votedearlyreadathon, school, and snacks. #stressed #thissucks #whenis2020over

CaffeineAndCandy ❤❤❤ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋᴍᴀʀᴋ 3y
Read4life That bookmark 😄💙💙💙 3y
28 likes2 comments
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ShyBookOwl
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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I awoke to darkness.

#firstlinefridays Butler giving me vampires. Yes please! 🧛🏿‍♀️ starting today

45 likes1 stack add
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Ruthiella
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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I know @TheSpineView already used this book for the prompt BUT (a) this has a different cover and (b) Butler‘s novels are always worth showcasing! 😀

#Fledgling
#FallFinds

Eggs Great pick👏🏻📚🤗 3y
37 likes1 comment
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TheSpineView
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Eggs Perfect 📚👍🏼🤗 3y
50 likes1 comment
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Ruthiella
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Three books with one word titles

#3books

BarbaraBB And such a statement 💚 4y
Ruthiella @BarbaraBB I‘m so sorry Butler died so young. I know she had many more stories to tell. 4y
OriginalCyn620 I‘ve never read Butler and I know I should. Her books sound really good! 4y
See All 9 Comments
thebluestocking Love the theme! I haven read any of hers but Kindred. 💙 4y
Crazeedi You did the same as me ! Yes!! One author, 3 b9oks!!🥰 4y
Ruthiella @OriginalCyn620 If you only read one from Butler, I recommend it be Kindred. 😍 4y
Ruthiella @thebluestocking Thanks! I am having fun working within the prompts! 😀 4y
Ruthiella @Crazeedi I noticed! Love your choices too. 😀 4y
Crazeedi @Ruthiella so now I need to really think about my choices for the prompts!! You inspire me! 4y
36 likes9 comments
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BookwormAHN
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I loved Fledgling. It was a unique take on the vampire myth and those are rare. Shori wakes up burned and broken with no memory and a thirst for blood. She soon learns that she is one of the Ina but unlike her other kindred she has been genetically altered to have black skin. Her darker skin helps her handle the sun but not all of the Ina accept her.
#AuthoraMonth @Soubhiville
#SummerFun Antiracism
@4thhouseontheleft @StayCurious

HeathHof This sounds good! Stacking! 4y
Gissy I received this one in a swap! I need to read it! 4y
StayCurious This sounds really good! 4y
alisiakae great review! I'm reading Kindred right now, it's one of the last Butler books I haven't read. 4y
79 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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Skygoddess1
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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So far this year I‘ve read 88 books.

14 Black authors (16%)
0 Indigenous authors (0%)
18 NBPOC authors (20%)
3 LGBTQIA+ authors (less than 1%)

I‘m tempted to do a comparison between what I‘ve read so far this year and what I read last year to see how they match up, perhaps at the end of the year. Only halfway through the year, so plenty time to read more.

#integrateyourshelf

JamieArc That‘s a good idea, to do this post again at the end of the year, but comparing this years stats to last year. 4y
ChasingOm Thanks for joining! 4y
Emilymdxn You‘re right about there being plenty of time to read more - I‘ve been significantly far from what I hoped so far this year and going to try to be much more purposeful in what I read in the second half of the year. You‘re so right about Fledgling I just finished it recently - incredible! 4y
19 likes3 comments
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Skygoddess1
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed Butler‘s take on vampires and this story. Learning about Shori, a 53 year old vampire child who awakens with no memory of who she is or where she comes from made for an engrossing read. I loved learning about Butler‘s take on the vampire myth and their interactions with other vampire families. I further love the social commentary Butler included in the story. #AuthorAMonth #AAMOB

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Emilymdxn
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

It‘s been ages since I read a proper vampire novel and I loved this! Can‘t recommend it enough, Octavia Butler never disappoints. The world building was complex and deep, the characters were so varied and fascinating. There was a lot of darkness, and the sex and control dynamics made me uncomfortable at times (particularly Shori‘s young body on an old vampire) but the book leaned in to understanding the darkness rather than using it for thrills.

ShyBookOwl Butler has a vampire book?! How did I not know this?! I immediately purchased the kindle edition when I came upon your post. Thank you! She's my favourite author. Kindred and the Xenogenesis trilogy🖤 I also love her short stories. The Patternist trilogy was interesting too! 4y
Itchyfeetreader Great review 4y
Emilymdxn @ShyBookOwl Octavia Butler is my Queen! I just discovered her fairly recently, I‘ve only read Kindred, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. I really want to read everything she‘s written! But then it‘s all so fantastic I‘m worried about running out of her books and finishing it all 4y
readordierachel I think this one is next on my list! I just started reading her this year and I'm in love too :) 4y
67 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Emilymdxn
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Here‘s my total for day 3 of #joysofjune! I‘m pleased with my total for the day, I‘m hoping I manage to keep this up the whole readathon. I finished Ayoade on Ayoade and Half Blood Blues, started fledgling and continued with stamped from the beginning.

@Andrew65

Reviewsbylola Well done! 🙌🏻 4y
Andrew65 You are doing brilliantly 👏👏👏🙌 4y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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StaceyKondla
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 74 #bookstoread #tbrpile #bookstagram

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Emilymdxn
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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At such an important time it‘s so crucial to agitate for change in the stories we tell and the industry that publishes them. I hope that if consumers show appetite for black people‘s stories, we can get not just more black writers published but more editors, publishers, marketers etc to bring new stories to people in an industry currently so white dominated

#blackpublishingpower

71 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Bailedbailed

Vampires are not my jam in general. I was repelled by the premise of a 53 yo woman in a teen body and the biting and the sex.....couldn‘t do it

#authoramonth2020 @Soubhiville

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GreenGrl87
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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So... I‘ve tagged my favorite vampire novel and I combed my GoodReads shelves as well as my memory only to realize that I don‘t think I‘ve ever read a true crime story in my life! Guess, I‘m going to have to change that... I would love some recommendations. @vivastory #vivahendrix

vivastory Thanks for entering! Your tagged book has been on my TBR for awhile. Some recommendations:Go Down Together by J. Guin, American Predator by Callahan, Monster of Florence by Preston, Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil by Berendt, American Fire by Hesse 4y
GreenGrl87 @vivastory thanks!! Two of those titles were actually available on Libby, so I scooped them right up! 4y
11 likes2 comments
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Addison_Reads
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Mehso-so

I'm a big fan of Butler's writing and the way she breaks down barriers with her fluidity of gender, race, and sexuality. I also liked her unique approach to vampire history in this book.

Overall though, it wasn't as memorable or powerful as some of her other books. Still an interesting read if you like vampires with some sci-fi tossed in.

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Kalalalatja
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Bailedbailed

Nope. I just couldn‘t get into this. It had quite a lot of spelling errors, and the characters and story just wasn‘t enough to get me hooked. #TooManyBooksTooLittleTime

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Kalalalatja
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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I‘m all wrapped up on the couch, and ready to give this a go 📖

#currentlyreading

diovival It still pains me that she isn't around to finish this series. 4y
82 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ElectricKatyLand
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
Mehso-so

My first Octavia Butler and it was so interesting. Story follows a genetically altered vampire with amnesia as she seeks to recover herself and bring her family‘s killers to justice. I had a really, really hard time getting over the fact that the vampire‘s body looks like a prepubescent child, though she is in fact over 50. Her sexual relationships with humans were difficult for me for that reason.

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Auntynanny
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Mehso-so

I found the vampire mythology that Butler innovated in this novel to be very interesting. The amnesia of the main character worked well as a way of explaining her forgotten history. I just was not comfortable with the quasi-pedophelia.

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Kanarthi
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Pickpick

Recommended for all vampire fans who enjoy unique takes on the genre. This version comes with polyamorous communes and allegorical interspecies bigotry! My first Butler and a smaller-scale, more contemplative story than I was expecting. The writing was really efficient at describing complicated character interactions. I'll definitely be reading more by her.

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Auntynanny
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Book haul from yesterday. 3 are for me and 2 are Christmas presents 😁

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madamereadsalot1
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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1. It made me sick and pissed!
2. Brooklyn 9-9, Friends, is Firefly considered a comedy? I think it's funny. It's my favorite show ever.
3. I had eggs and toast with lots of black coffee
4. CST
5. Black Release
@howjessreads #friyayintro

ImperfectCJ 👍 Firefly! 5y
23 likes1 comment
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Lkardos12
Fledgling: A Novel | Octavia E. Butler
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Had to rely on audiobooks on day 2 to get my through #24in48 this time. I was so sleepy! What a great weekend- loved everything I read! Until January 🤠

parttimedomestic Awesome job! 🎉🎉🎉 5y
Megabooks Congratulations!! 😎🍾💃🏻😁🥳👍🏻🎉📚👏🏻 5y
8 likes2 comments