Octavia Butler is one of the best women science fiction writers today. Although not as good as as her trilogy, this is still an excellent read. Highly original, with main characters who are immortal and possess superhuman powers, excellent character development. A novel of character rather than action.

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This is an unusual story. I think that Octavia Butler has an amazing imagination! This is the story of two immortal beings: Doro and Anyanwu. They are locked into a struggle for power - Doro takes over by killing; Anyanwu uses her power to create and nurture. Interesting concept!

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All of Octavia Butler's books include very unique characters. She is genuinely fresh and creative. I am about halfway thru this novel and am enjoying it immensely.
Tom Cruce
Sarasota, Fl.

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Excellent, excellent book! I don't know why I didn't latch onto Octavia Butler sooner. This is no light, summer read; it will make think.

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This is a hard book for me to gather my thoughts on. I enjoyed it - it was written well, it was absorbing, it was well-paced - yet I can't say that I really liked it. Mostly because there is no clear-cut bad guy, I suppose; the antagonist sways between being a straight up dick and a reasonable, sympathetic character with little to no warning, and definitely no apologies. I had a really hard time with the slavery and rape themes that were so prevalent in this book, not because they were too over the top or explicit, but because they were all too plausible and understandable. All in all this book fell straight into the I-didn't-like-that-I-liked-it category for me. 6/10

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