You know, I haven't read "Kindred" even though it's probably her best known work. I should go get it from the library. I read the Parable books and "Fledgling" and liked those. I thought "Fledgling" was a wonderfully original take on vampires. You're right about her books being dark. Some of "Parable of the Talents" was hard to take. Butler is great though, no doubt about that. :)