Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler

9 reviews

reginacattus's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Very compelling, a rich and interesting lore. Haven't come across a "superpowers" story like it. A harsh and brutal world filled with harsh and brutal characters, but also a sense of community that grows between the characters over time.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture, Drug abuse, Drug use, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Incest, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Adult/minor relationship

chilliam_mc's review

medium-paced

5.0

Perfection. Just as good as Wild Seed. Although the many different character perspectives made it a little harder to understand at times, it all came together beautifully.

Mary is such an amazing addition to the story. I missed Anyanwu’s perspective, but grew to love Mary just as much. And omg the way Octavia Butler has developed Doro is genius. I could talk about him for hours.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Rape, and Child abuse

chloegrell's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Incest, Child death, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Hate crime, Gore, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, Cursing, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Violence, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

albernikolauras's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I enjoyed this book a lot more than Wild Seed for a couple reasons - the more condensed timeline, the change in characters, and the plot. I also found myself more able to pull the themes and discussions out of this book, which could be because I am getting better at Butler but also she could have been more blatantly making a point. There was such interesting discussions on race (especially how you view your own race?), power dynamics, and slavery & societies built on the enslavement of others. Also a highlight - learning why the series is called the Patternist series. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Incest, Racism, and Rape

thenonbinaryc's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Trafficking, Suicide, Slavery, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

bangiebangs's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really, really enjoyed reading this, though it does include some challenging ideas and content. The NYT Review printed on my edition says "often troubling", and that is really accurate. Still a great read, and am planning to continue with the series soon. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, Violence, Physical abuse, and Incest

Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

Minor: Domestic abuse

Spoiler

It's a story about a, let's say meta-human, who has been breeding humans for their psychic traits for millennia. Incest and violence are commonly mentioned (and described); the people in the story are treated as cattle at times. So can definitely be a challenging read.

deafinitelymissolivia's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Octavia Butler is a genius. she writes about the intersections of race, gender, and religion with sci-fi and a thrilling plot with a stunning, firey, fast end. Nature versus Nurture and Darwin's Natural Selection are big topics in this brilliant read. this book is part of the Patternist series, though they were not published chronologically. I was a silly goose and did not realize that- so next I am reading clays arc then patternist, then finally Wildseed (cuz I hate doro lol) I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on the rest of them >:)

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and War

kukushka's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Rape, Slavery, and Suicide

locdbooktician's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Well, this is the third book that I've read by Octavia E. Butler. I am so excited to be able to read from OEB. This book was very hard to read and had every type of violence that you can think of. I loved how this book was more centered on Doro and another female protagonist because I was exhausted with Anyanwu and Doro's narrative at the end of Wild Seed. I wish I could talk about this book more but I am afraid that if I write more it would be some spoilers. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Slavery