A review by inkerly
Patternmaster by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-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

I really enjoyed this book. It might not be an enjoyable read if you're reading this with the expectations of it being a finale sequel, but on its own, it's much more enjoyable than MoMM, and has part of that spunk I loved in Wild Seed. It's its own thing. 
Almost all of the men (including Teray) irritated me. What would've made me rate this a 5 is if this book really explored the dynamics of the women and "minorities" (racial/ethnic/lgtbq/disabled) in this very patriarchal cis-het society. And delved into how "connected" and yet so isolated and lonely the Patternists really are. I sense they could learn a lot from the Clayarks. But alas. IMO Amber, Iray, and the Clayark that Teray interacts with were robbed of more prominent roles. 
While the book leaves much to be desired, I think it ended on a good solid note and I'm glad I didn't let "Clay's Ark" dissuade me from finishing the series. I'll definitely read it again in a near future.
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