Reviews

Patternmaster by Octavia E. Butler

being_b's review against another edition

3.0

I am left with a burning question: What happens if a Patternist gets Clayark disease? I assume they lose their psychic abilities, but it isn't clear...

disabledbookdragon's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

book_nerd_1's review against another edition

I don't really know what to say about the ending of the Patternmaster series(the first written).
I kind of expected it to end on something interesting about the future of the human species.
The story was good but you saw the ending coming miles away.

praetor's review

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

owl_eerie's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

buggybran's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

kasisabella's review

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

latoyadawson13's review

3.5

Patternmaster marks the compelling conclusion to Octavia Butler's Patternist series, delivering a satisfying finale to an outstanding science fiction journey.

While the narrative takes an interesting turn, incorporating elements from Clay's Ark (book #3), I found it less impactful on the overall story. However, it serves as a crucial conflict, pushing the protagonist to evolve. The mental battles, reminiscent of Mind of My Mind (book #2), are a standout feature, showcasing Butler's unique talent in portraying non-physical confrontations.

What sets this book apart is Butler's insightful exploration of slavery, delving into the intricacies of mental enslavement. The examination of being captive within one's mind adds a layer of depth, emphasizing how it can hinder progress more than physical ownership.

I highly recommend diving into Patternmaster and experiencing the brilliance of this series. No one writes speculative fiction like Butler.

flannelshirt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-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

faynebrio's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

i think my least fave of the series but still good!