Octavia E. Butler, Seed to Harvest

Seed to Harvest is a collection of the four Patternist novels in one volume. It contains; Wild Seed, Mind of My Mind, Clay's Ark and The Patternmaster in the chronological narrative order, not in the order they were published. Survivor is also part of Patternist series, but is not included in this collection as it was later disowned by Octavia Butler.

I read Wild Seed back in April, but didn't round to reviewing it so I'm going to review all four novels in a singular post now. Be aware there maybe spoilers for the whole series.

Synopsis:
Wild Seed: Dora, an immortal and immoral being seeks to create a new race of supernaturals by selective breeding. Anyanwu would be an asset to his collection, as she possess the powers to shape-shift, regenerate and heal, though Dora will not find her easy to control. Anyanwu attempts to determine her own life in the face of Dora's relentless persecution, but eventually one must submit to the other.
Set in both rural Africa and 17th century America.

Mind of My Mind: As a result of Dora's selective breeding programme, Mary is a powerful telepath, able to link minds with other telepaths and draw on their strength through a mental pattern. Initially Dora's prodigy he becomes wary of her growing power and influence.

Clay's Ark:  When Elias returns from a space mission he brings back a highly contagious disease. In spite of his best efforts he soon infects a isolated family that came to his aid. The disease increases speed, agility and ability to heal, but also compels suffers to spread the infection at any cost.

The Patternmaster: War rages between the Paterrnists (desended from Dora's telepaths) and the Clayark's. Meanwhile the Parernists are beset by and internal political struggle as Teray and Coransee fight to decide who will succeed the Patternmaster and have ultimate control over the telepathic pattern.

Rating:  ««««¶ (4/5) this score is for the series overall, though I preferred some novels over others. Wild Seed is my favourite.
Full review under the cut:-

Octavia E. Butler, Kindred

After reading Wild Seed in April I've been on the hunt for some more Octivia Butler. My local library is sadly lacking the patternister series, but they did have Kindred. 

The Plot: Dana has just moved to a new house with her husband, whilst unpacking boxes she begins to feel nauseous and dizzy, her home disappears and she finds herself by the edge of a river. She has been transported to nineteenth century Maryland, an extremely dangerous place for a black woman. Luckily, just as she is threatened with a gun, she returns to her apartment, but this sorjourn is the start of a terrifying pattern where she is thrown between the two time periods, and endangered in both.

ISBN: 9781472214812

Rating: ««««« (5/5)

Full review after the jump: