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booknchaoswithmarz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Doro is a special entity who collects special people and breeds them like livestock, searching for the perfect combination of qualities.
His villages are under his protection but also at his mercy when he decides to claim the body of one after the other to prolong his life.
His perfect world is thrown into chaos when he meets Anyanwu, who is very much like Doro however where he kills, she is a healer, a nurturer.
Their story unfolds over hundreds of years and encompasses so many themes throughout. Those sensitive to slavery be aware that it is included without being romanticised nor overly graphic (in my opinion & comparative) it is very much a part of the entire book and can be confronting.
Anyanwu is a complex character that evokes complex feelings, instead of being this two dimensional fantasy creature we unravel her gradually to reveal a real person with real range of emotions. At one time we see her struggle with the patriarchal control exerted onto her, another we see her as a wise strong woman upheld as a leader, we see her jealous, lustful, meek, confused, beautiful, confident, resolute, conflicted, and more.
Doro, as a perceived villian, is a fantastic character and I truly loved him for the very fact that I despised him and his cavalier outlook on life and eugenics. But the author really does make you think, how different would you be if you were in the same set of circumstances and despite yourself you understand his actions or at least his reasoning behind those actions.
I'm very interested in seeing what the next instalment has in store for us.
His villages are under his protection but also at his mercy when he decides to claim the body of one after the other to prolong his life.
His perfect world is thrown into chaos when he meets Anyanwu, who is very much like Doro however where he kills, she is a healer, a nurturer.
Their story unfolds over hundreds of years and encompasses so many themes throughout. Those sensitive to slavery be aware that it is included without being romanticised nor overly graphic (in my opinion & comparative) it is very much a part of the entire book and can be confronting.
Anyanwu is a complex character that evokes complex feelings, instead of being this two dimensional fantasy creature we unravel her gradually to reveal a real person with real range of emotions. At one time we see her struggle with the patriarchal control exerted onto her, another we see her as a wise strong woman upheld as a leader, we see her jealous, lustful, meek, confused, beautiful, confident, resolute, conflicted, and more.
Doro, as a perceived villian, is a fantastic character and I truly loved him for the very fact that I despised him and his cavalier outlook on life and eugenics. But the author really does make you think, how different would you be if you were in the same set of circumstances and despite yourself you understand his actions or at least his reasoning behind those actions.
I'm very interested in seeing what the next instalment has in store for us.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
deimosremus's review
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wild Seed is my first jump into the works of Octavia Butler, who I’ve been meaning to read for years. Friends of mine recommended that I start with Wild Seed, as though it’s not her first published novel, it is chronologically the first in a series and arguably one where her style really really solidified.
In short, Wild Seed is excellent. I don’t know whether to classify it as science fiction or fantasy, as there aren’t really any obvious elements of the former, though I imagine as the series continues in its chronological timeline, this becomes more and more apparent-- Butler herself has said she considers it more as a sci-fi novel than anything, though it's far from what would fall under hard sci-fi.
Butler’s writing style is lean and efficient, elegant in its simplicity without wasting time on needless detail or getting too involved in worldbuilding... something I immediately liked when I started reading this. The complexity rather comes from the character relationships and the plethora of interwoven themes Butler is exploring, which range from identity politics and gender roles, eugenics, power dynamics, slavery and colonialism, legacy and inheritance, aging, and the survivalist animal instinct inherently found within us all. In other words, a very rich tapestry of ideas driving the novel, and ones that play off of each other in an expert fashion, but done in a style that’s approachable and not so allusive as to confuse the reader unnecessarily. Finding that balance can be difficult (and I have no problem with very allusive genre works personally, unless they're frustratingly "high-brow") but I think Butler did that here rather wonderfully— I’m very much looking forward to reading subsequent installments in the Patternist series, as well as Butler’s other works, as my first impression of her is outstanding.
In short, Wild Seed is excellent. I don’t know whether to classify it as science fiction or fantasy, as there aren’t really any obvious elements of the former, though I imagine as the series continues in its chronological timeline, this becomes more and more apparent-- Butler herself has said she considers it more as a sci-fi novel than anything, though it's far from what would fall under hard sci-fi.
Butler’s writing style is lean and efficient, elegant in its simplicity without wasting time on needless detail or getting too involved in worldbuilding... something I immediately liked when I started reading this. The complexity rather comes from the character relationships and the plethora of interwoven themes Butler is exploring, which range from identity politics and gender roles, eugenics, power dynamics, slavery and colonialism, legacy and inheritance, aging, and the survivalist animal instinct inherently found within us all. In other words, a very rich tapestry of ideas driving the novel, and ones that play off of each other in an expert fashion, but done in a style that’s approachable and not so allusive as to confuse the reader unnecessarily. Finding that balance can be difficult (and I have no problem with very allusive genre works personally, unless they're frustratingly "high-brow") but I think Butler did that here rather wonderfully— I’m very much looking forward to reading subsequent installments in the Patternist series, as well as Butler’s other works, as my first impression of her is outstanding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
alsoapples's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Animal death, Child death, Child abuse, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Medical content
jazjoyner91's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
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