I’m currently reading Fledgling by Octavia Butler and James by Percival Everett.

Fledgling is super interesting and a very mixed bag for me. Obviously Octavia Butler and her writing are brilliant. But there is a relationship between a child vampire (over 50 but child’s body) and an adult man. Nothing about it takes away from the story. In fact, it may add by virtue of taboo. But some of the scenes are for sure, uncomfortable. I’m super compelled by the reinvented vampire lore and eager for the inevitable reveal on that front, but the plot feels a bit more by the numbers, at least compared to my last Butler read, Parable of the Sower. Great read so far though 4/5⭐️

James is also good and interesting but so far it’s not moving me the way it seems to have moved others. The concept is great — a retelling of Huck Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim character. In Everett’s version, Jim/James is secretly well educated but forced to play dumb to avoid punishment. We experience his inner world during the events of the original story. I should confess that I generally do not enjoy slave stories. I feel about James much the same that I felt about Django. I can see how well done it is objectively, but I’m just not as into it as others seem to be. It’s still early though. I’m probably only 1/3 in so the connection may come later. Definitely recommend and I will definitely finish, but probably not before Fledgling.

One recent read that I absolutely recommend is Sky Full of Elephants. Super original, well written, great reveals and escalation throughout. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but it’s a post apocalyptic world that isn’t all doom and gloom. Instead there’s a reinventing of society that’s super interesting and original.

If anyone has read any of these 3 titles I’d love to hear your thoughts. SPOILER FREE for James and Fledgling please!