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gregisdead121_ 's review for:
Seed to Harvest
by Octavia E. Butler
Started this series last year. I'd already been in love with the author and had been acquainted with her seminal work,Kindred. So I was looking for a series by her so I could spend more time within her language. The concept for the first in the series was one I'd never encounter before, a tale that spanned the abusive relationship between two African immortals from before colonialism to the present. I'd hoped to read about how experiencing immortality whilst being black in periods of time where that made you sub human could be exlored and I wasn't disappointed. Wildseed, an ambitious origin story does this with a terrifying accuracy that it feels like history rather than science fiction. It tackles how gender and violence can be informed both when confronted by or independent of white supremacy. Wildseed is one of my top5 books EVER. It always impresses me to think about.
After my brilliant experience with "Wildseed " I was eager to devour the next in the series:Mind of my Mind.
I was not disappointed! Although less immediate and ultimately not as life changing it was an exciting thrill that continued the journey tracked in Wildseed through a more modern landscape. One of my favorite uses of P.O.V chapters in a long time. Mary's character will definitely stay with you long after the book ends.
Clay's Ark which ,fun fact was published last despite not being the last in the chronology, is undoubtedly the worst book I've read not only in the series but by Butler in general. It still had some of the hallmarks I look for & relish from a Butler sci-fi BUT it had none of the eloquence and personality. It felt like a means to an end(which tbh given patternmaster,the final book in this series which had been written/published first is a direct result of this books premise it actually was) so it feels less natural but more stiff. I did not enjoy this. Considered dnfing BUT I had committed to the series and had to follow it through. The characterizations of clay arks was unique, I'll give it that,but everything else was a sketch or memory of something more intresting. It's an essential read in the whole scheme of the book as it gives an important historical context to the conclusive novel in the series that fills in gaps.
Patternmaster the last in the series was such a joy. I'm glad I soldiered on because it has the spirit of all the other books I'd fallen in love with before. It's sharp and expansive with complex dynamics and fascinating consequences.
Overall the Seed To Harvest collection which provides the patternmaster novels in their in world chronology rather than publication dates(as it should be)is a worthwhile investment for both casual and avid sci-fi fans. And even for those a bit skeptical of trying the genre I can definitely presume the patternmaster series would work for them.
Ranking:
Wildseed
Mind of my Mind
Patternmaster
Clay's Ark.
After my brilliant experience with "Wildseed " I was eager to devour the next in the series:Mind of my Mind.
I was not disappointed! Although less immediate and ultimately not as life changing it was an exciting thrill that continued the journey tracked in Wildseed through a more modern landscape. One of my favorite uses of P.O.V chapters in a long time. Mary's character will definitely stay with you long after the book ends.
Clay's Ark which ,fun fact was published last despite not being the last in the chronology, is undoubtedly the worst book I've read not only in the series but by Butler in general. It still had some of the hallmarks I look for & relish from a Butler sci-fi BUT it had none of the eloquence and personality. It felt like a means to an end(which tbh given patternmaster,the final book in this series which had been written/published first is a direct result of this books premise it actually was) so it feels less natural but more stiff. I did not enjoy this. Considered dnfing BUT I had committed to the series and had to follow it through. The characterizations of clay arks was unique, I'll give it that,but everything else was a sketch or memory of something more intresting. It's an essential read in the whole scheme of the book as it gives an important historical context to the conclusive novel in the series that fills in gaps.
Patternmaster the last in the series was such a joy. I'm glad I soldiered on because it has the spirit of all the other books I'd fallen in love with before. It's sharp and expansive with complex dynamics and fascinating consequences.
Overall the Seed To Harvest collection which provides the patternmaster novels in their in world chronology rather than publication dates(as it should be)is a worthwhile investment for both casual and avid sci-fi fans. And even for those a bit skeptical of trying the genre I can definitely presume the patternmaster series would work for them.
Ranking:
Wildseed
Mind of my Mind
Patternmaster
Clay's Ark.