Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bookswithlee's Reviews (669)
Octavia Butler’s writing is UNMATCHED! This had everything I love about sci-fi. I can see her writing style reflected in so many recent works within the sic-fi genre. She definitely set the bar high. This book did not disappoint. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Favorite quote:
“You have a mismatched pair of genetic characteristics. Either alone would have been useful, would have aided the survival of your species. But the two together are lethal. It was only a matter of time before they destroyed you."
•
•
•
You are intelligent," he said. "That's the newer of the two characteristics, and the one you might have put to work to save yourselves. You are potentially one of the most intelligent species we've found, though your focus is different from ours. Still, you had a good start in the life sciences, and even in genetics."
"What's the second characteristic?"
"You are hierarchical. That's the older and more entrenched characteristic. We saw it in your closest animal relatives and in your most distant ones. It's a terrestrial characteristic. When human intelligence served it instead of guiding it, when human intelligence did not even acknowledge it as problem, but took pride in it or din not notice it at all..."
Favorite quote:
“You have a mismatched pair of genetic characteristics. Either alone would have been useful, would have aided the survival of your species. But the two together are lethal. It was only a matter of time before they destroyed you."
•
•
•
You are intelligent," he said. "That's the newer of the two characteristics, and the one you might have put to work to save yourselves. You are potentially one of the most intelligent species we've found, though your focus is different from ours. Still, you had a good start in the life sciences, and even in genetics."
"What's the second characteristic?"
"You are hierarchical. That's the older and more entrenched characteristic. We saw it in your closest animal relatives and in your most distant ones. It's a terrestrial characteristic. When human intelligence served it instead of guiding it, when human intelligence did not even acknowledge it as problem, but took pride in it or din not notice it at all..."
If you’re looking for a book that is heavy on the romance, and light on the history then this one is for you.
Although marketed as being loosely based off of the daughters of C.M Patterson much of the history surrounding this time period is left out as the book focuses more on the romances of the four main characters
In this book we follow two of the Davenport daughters (Helen and Olivia), Ruby (close friend of Olivia) and Amy-Rose (the childhood friend and now maid of the Davenports). Each of them have their own stories that are connected in different ways most of which is surrounding their romantic lives.
We also get to see some of the struggles each of them are experiencing such as familial expectations and their experiences connected to their class, wealth, and being Black in the 20th century Chicago.
While I enjoy this book, I did find the pacing to be a bit off. There were times when I felt invested in the story and others where it felt like it was dragging on a bit too long. This may have been due to the perspectives switching and my own level of investment to different storylines.
I also wished that there was more put into the historical element of this book. It is definitely more of a historical romance as opposed to a historical fiction as we only get small pieces highlighted here and there of what it was like being Black during this time period.
Overall this was a good book! If you enjoy historical romance books that reads like Bridgeton with a full Black cast, then this one is for you.
I received this book from Penguin Teen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own
Although marketed as being loosely based off of the daughters of C.M Patterson much of the history surrounding this time period is left out as the book focuses more on the romances of the four main characters
In this book we follow two of the Davenport daughters (Helen and Olivia), Ruby (close friend of Olivia) and Amy-Rose (the childhood friend and now maid of the Davenports). Each of them have their own stories that are connected in different ways most of which is surrounding their romantic lives.
We also get to see some of the struggles each of them are experiencing such as familial expectations and their experiences connected to their class, wealth, and being Black in the 20th century Chicago.
While I enjoy this book, I did find the pacing to be a bit off. There were times when I felt invested in the story and others where it felt like it was dragging on a bit too long. This may have been due to the perspectives switching and my own level of investment to different storylines.
I also wished that there was more put into the historical element of this book. It is definitely more of a historical romance as opposed to a historical fiction as we only get small pieces highlighted here and there of what it was like being Black during this time period.
Overall this was a good book! If you enjoy historical romance books that reads like Bridgeton with a full Black cast, then this one is for you.
I received this book from Penguin Teen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own
4.5 stars - such a great audiobook. I really enjoyed all of the stories, but some more than others. I struggle with short story collections because I don’t know how to rate them; however, I think this is probably one of the most cohesive collections of short stories that I’ve read in a long time. I waited way too long to pick this one up.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
I wish I could give this book 100 stars. Wow. This is an amazing book that everyone should read. Full review to come