#772 in our old book database. Not rated.

Reading the conclusion and understanding the publication order of the series makes a lot of things clearer. The strange transformation of Anyanwu into Emma, the vague reference to Doro here, the unspecified nature of the Clayarks. I think the effect is still somewhat diminished, nevertheless; the series feels like it moves in the wrong direction. Wild Seed is an epic generational tale, Patternmaster instead is merely a vignette into the conflict and society that we expect to have been built up. It is fun to see how the powers shape the society but nevertheless seems somehow disappointing after all of the build-up. There is a balance between theme and worldbuilding, and the latter felt a little lacking. ( )

Now that I've read the whole series, I understand how it all leads up to this book. I had a little trouble getting into this book at first, because I wasn't a fan of how much the hierarchical society restricted things compared to the end of Mind of My Mind. I loved the character of Amber, and am impressed that Butler included a bisexual character and someone who completely accepted her queerness back in 1976. I kept rooting for Teray, even though it frequently felt hopless.

Overall, a great series to read. ( )

Gave up on it. The world was just too bleak and none of the characters grabbed me. ( )

This is the fourth book in the chronology of the Patternist series, though it was written first and then the history filled in later (an interesting choice). I read them in chronological order, thankfully, as this would be hard to digest without the backstory.

The story is of Teray, a new graduate of whatever passes for school in the Patternist community, and follows him as he heads to the house he has signed on to as an apprentice. The story takes place many generations after the formation of the Patternists, told in Mind of My Mind. Earth is basically split between the Patternists, telepathically connected super-humans formed as the result of a careful breeding program described in previous books, and Clayarks, human-alien hybrids whose origin story is told in Clay's Ark. Normal humans, or "mutes", are controlled by the Patternists through their telepathic abilities- if they come in contact with Clayarks they will be infected and turn into one of them.

Teray is essentially kidnapped by Coransee, a powerful Patternist lord and, it turns out, Teray's brother and the son of the current Patternmaster, who is ill and close to death. He is concerned that Teray will be a threat to him as he tries to take over the Pattern after the current Patternist's death. I won't spoil more of the plot.

Butler's writing is easy to read and gripping. The book is short. Butler is generally seen as a giant in science fiction, with stories characterized by metaphors to racial issues (the author was African American). But I didn't really see it in this book- we see the Patternists society as pretty ruthless, with power valued above all. There's no character in the book representing any kind of critique of the society, just a power struggle within it.

Enjoyable overall anyway, glad I read the series. ( )