Fledgling

By: Octavia E. Butler

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of an apparently young, amnesiac girl whose alarmingly unhuman 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 wanted - and still wants - to destroy her and those she cares for and how she can save herself.

©2005 Octavia E. Butler (P)2020 Recorded Books

I wanted more

I was very sad when this book ended, the sadness compounded when I read the author (who is dead now) never wrote a sequel. I wish I could still be living in the world she created.

Really interesting story

although the narrator was not my favorite the story was really interesting. I wish it were a series.
Another reviewer mentioned the young looking body of the main character was difficult for her because it felt like child porn. After reading the story for a bit i didn’t really agree and at the same time was grateful to know there might be an issue.

Disappointing

Seemed like the intro to a much larger story. Most of the book was spent introducing characters.

Wishing For More

I enjoy this production immensely. Just wished that there was other books to make it a series. The narrator did an amazing job.

Completely captivating characters and story

This is my second book by Butler. I will be putting every book she’s written on my read list.

Great book

Great book! Best I’ve listen to in a long while. Highly recommend it to anyone!

I wish I had liked it more

I wanted to like this more than I did, but the writing felt awkward too often to overlook, and the narration was too.

For the narration: The emphasis and flow for a lot of sentences was completely wrong, and the whole performance was overall very flat. There was zero emotion, zero tension. It did complete disservice to the story, which deserved depth of emotion and needed real feeling for the subject matter. The voices of different characters were a struggle after the first two. Accents were not done well. I’ve heard worse, but this was not good. It really could have benefited from some editing/direction.

The writing: I feel the story could also have benefited from better editing. It was slow to get started. Then, it was repetitive, right down to the overuse of “then, he” or “then, I.” I’m sure I would have been more forgiving about this, or could have overlooked it better, with better narration. But the flaws in the writing were made even more glaring by the flat narration. It completely lacked emotion.

The story: I liked the subject matter and the premise. But it needed so much more. This really could have been a shorter book, and probably should have been. I was also hoping for a better payoff at the end. It was okay, but, like everything else about this book, it needed more.

Overall: it’s probably worth checking out if you’re not picky, but I think I’d recommend the book, not the audiobook, so that the reader can substitute in much of the feeling which is missing. That will help, but not 100%.

Must read

The story was great and all I didn’t know I needed. Wish there was a second book. Sad the Author passed away before a series was published

Strong representation for African American Authors in Science Fiction

The story was captivating, well paced, and paid homage to the vampiric tales that preceded. Butler addressed racial inequality in a way which spoke to our current climate. This artistic manner was ingenious and inspirational while maintaining the mystery of the genre. A must read for all, but will, rightfully, find its place in African American literature courses for years to come.

i am trying so hard to get into this

I know Octavia Butler is highly recommended, but I am getting so board with the memory trope "oh yeah, I know this!". I am also a little uncomfortable with the coupling at the center of the story. I'll keep trying.