Scan barcode
storyorc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Few prequels are able to turn their prequelness into such a roaring advantage. Since we already know the general trajectory of this world, the narrative is under none of the usual pressures to keep this collection of telepath's powers modest, controlled, or even particularly under wraps. This allows it to really dig into what telepaths could do to our society - or more broadly, what people with unanswerable power can do. Having one telepath positioned above the rest only adds nuance to the power structure. A lot of books will soften their hypothetical scenarios by making the powerful side pure evil or making a vigilante beloved by the people to excuse their extrajudicial violence but Butler does not shy away from the complications of her setup. There is a very specific horror in watching people grow accustomed to - even happy with - a lack of freedom. The greater good of society vs freedom of the individual tension is acutely felt. This gave me a similar mounting dread on the ideological level as the 2024 Dune II film.
Even as the book generates this great and horrible sense of hurtling toward tragedy on the macro scale, my ignorance of the details of the original novel kept me on the edge of my seat in regards to the fates of certain characters. Doro is still the monster from Wild Seed but also still not without love and loneliness and a very human arrogance. Butler excels in seeding the reader with an insidious pride and curiosity in his millennia-spanning project despite its sickening cost simply because there is no-one else reaching as high as he is. Mary is easier to root for, but prone to an equally human pettiness, bitterness, and that same arrogance. She is no benevolent dictator, much as she might wish to be, and her abilities amplify her little cruelties through her impressive creations in fascinating ways. In the end, they are all just people struggling with issues far bigger than any single person should be. It makes the book hard to put down. Thankfully, the novel's final gift is that it's pretty short.
Even as the book generates this great and horrible sense of hurtling toward tragedy on the macro scale, my ignorance of the details of the original novel kept me on the edge of my seat in regards to the fates of certain characters. Doro is still the monster from Wild Seed but also still not without love and loneliness and a very human arrogance. Butler excels in seeding the reader with an insidious pride and curiosity in his millennia-spanning project despite its sickening cost simply because there is no-one else reaching as high as he is. Mary is easier to root for, but prone to an equally human pettiness, bitterness, and that same arrogance. She is no benevolent dictator, much as she might wish to be, and her abilities amplify her little cruelties through her impressive creations in fascinating ways. In the end, they are all just people struggling with issues far bigger than any single person should be. It makes the book hard to put down. Thankfully, the novel's final gift is that it's pretty short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
bangiebangs's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really, really enjoyed reading this, though it does include some challenging ideas and content. The NYT Review printed on my edition says "often troubling", and that is really accurate. Still a great read, and am planning to continue with the series soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, Violence, Physical abuse, and Incest
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse
fairyollie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Octavia Butler is a genius. she writes about the intersections of race, gender, and religion with sci-fi and a thrilling plot with a stunning, firey, fast end. Nature versus Nurture and Darwin's Natural Selection are big topics in this brilliant read. this book is part of the Patternist series, though they were not published chronologically. I was a silly goose and did not realize that- so next I am reading clays arc then patternist, then finally Wildseed (cuz I hate doro lol) I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on the rest of them >:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and War
More...