Not unlike a lot of Octavia Butler readers, this is the first book of hers I read. And I will definitely be reading more. I just like how she thinks and tells a story. I thought this was going to be some kind of grand adventure, and while it does have some elements that are adventurous, it's more character development and philosophy. Yes, it's a bit preachy, but I didn't mind. It felt real. The thoughts of the narrator felt real. The actions felt real. The deaths felt real.

I picked this up because I love sci-fi and even dystopian, but mostly because I'm sick of stories that follow the people on the top - King's and queens, military men and women, the ultra rich.

Narration was perfect for the material. Almost monotonous, but to me it never felt wrong.

I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.