FLEDGLING

Readers who believe that the science fiction genre boasts no quality literature need look no further than Butler for proof to the contrary. Though the story revolves around nonhuman vampires, this is not a horror novel, nor is it a romance, yet it contains elements of both. In Butler's hands this is a much deeper and much more emotional story about what it means to be "other." Tracey Leigh turns in a performance worthy of the material, which is no small feat, as the main character is an amnesiac 53-year-old female vampire in the body of an 11-year-old. Listeners follow the character while she figures out who and what she is, and they will not doubt the journey for a single moment. S.D.D. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]