Alternative vampire fiction

Total page turner. Excellent performance bar the slightly off English accents! But overall exactly what you’d expect of Octavia butler - exciting from the first sentence, imaginativere, thought provoking.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great 'vampire' lore rewritten.

I loved this story. Plenty of drama and Octavia Butler's inimitable style. I found that the narrator sent me to sleep a few times, but I did get used to the lilting style. Thoroughly recommend this to anyone who would like a gritty and realistic take on the vampire.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Wow wow wow!

incredibly enjoyable and listened whenever I could (shopping, in the car, putting away the groceries, not walking because I'm dictating my own vampire book when I walk.)

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Less impressive than other works

There's a lot to like about this story - again there is a woman leading the narrative, people negotiate and honour the rules, there is kindness and common sense throughout despite some violence and threat. Butler presents as always a characterful experience that doesn't rely on tropes or half-formed players.

For me though the story was thinner than the other works of hers that I've read (listened to) and somehow lacked the substance I've come to expect. I also found the narration somewhat grating, the voice chosen for the main character having a constantly pained register. But that may be a personal issue; if you're a Butler enthusiast, this is still worth a listen but perhaps with slightly lowered expectations.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

First hour of the book unnecessary

One of the worst readers I've had to listen to. That coupled with the unnecessary pedofilia undertones of the first few chapters almost made me stop listening. Truth be told I used it this book mostly as background noise. That being said the second half of the book wasn't God awful so I don't regret giving it the complete listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Vampire sci-fi

Butler has crafted another excellent novel. She expertly deconstructs the vampire mythos and crafts an original tale. Ojo's narration is by and large superb, however, her English accent needs some work.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Amazing as always

Wonderful story and I loved the narrator. Can’t get enough of Octavia Butler’s words - the best story writer

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Beautiful writing and a wonderful performance

I adore Octavia.E.Butler's writing style, and Adenrele Ojo's captivating performance has made listening to this a guilty pleasure.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Awful narrator ruins average story

I wouldn't have finished this if I didn't need to read it for university. The narrator might be the worst I've ever heard. Every sentence feels overly dramatic, as if the narrator thinks exhaustion is the most compelling tone speak in. Sentences are really weirdly stressed, with pauses in strange places that make basic sentence level meaning needlessly difficult to understand. Don't bother getting this unless you have to read this book, and you're dyslexic like me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful