A review by peachani
Seed to Harvest: The Complete Patternist Series by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Wild Seed is by far my favorite in the series. I also think it's the best written of the bunch, but I admit that my unfamiliarity/unease with what I'd call more typical science fiction colors my feelings toward Patternmaster. Mind of My Mind 's ending was my favorite part of that book, but overall it laid the foundation for understanding what the Patternists would be like (that is, they suck). Clay's Ark is... depressing and I thought about skipping it. It's just a lot in a series that is a lot. I could see myself rereading Wild Seed, but I am happy to put this series behind me.

I really wrestled with trying to understand why this series tackles incest and what Butler was trying to say. I sought out articles and blog posts. I can't say I fully understand, but I guess that a species' evolution could take twists and turns one could never predict or want to imagine. I would really like to see a survivor's take on this in sci-fi.

On another note, I appreciated the way these novels made me think about personal control and fighting against or giving into "nature."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Car accident, Child death, Death, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, Rape, Incest, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Child abuse

Moderate: Gore, Pregnancy, Slavery, Grief, Sexual assault, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and War

Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abortion, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cancer, and Physical abuse