unobtrusivegiraffe's review against another edition
3.0
Wild Seed: 5 stars
Mind of My Mind: 4 stars
Clay’s Arc: 2 stars
Patternmaster: 3 stars
Average: 3.5, rounded down to 3. But highly recommend Wild Seed with substantial trigger warnings
Mind of My Mind: 4 stars
Clay’s Arc: 2 stars
Patternmaster: 3 stars
Average: 3.5, rounded down to 3. But highly recommend Wild Seed with substantial trigger warnings
krokicki's review against another edition
5.0
I read this series in the order presented by the omnibus, and only later found out that the book were published in nearly backwards order. This shows through in the writing. The first book, Wild Seed, was probably my favorite, with a lot of interesting takes on all kind of themes from eugenics and paranormal abilities down to broader themes like slavery, power, control, and oppression. Mind of My Mind picks up where Wild Seed leaves off, and continues the exposition very seamlessly, touching on the same topics in a more modern setting.
But Clay's Ark is a sort of side-arc which has little to do with anything except as a set piece for the final book. The culmination that is Patternmaster is short and frankly disappointing. It was the first book written and just doesn't have the same philosophical weight to it as the others. The conclusion itself (i.e. the outcome of all the eugenics and everything else that happens in the first 3 books) was also not as interesting or satisfying as I had hoped for. Although there would be some spoilers, it might be worth reading the books in publication order just as a way to better manage expectations.
Still, this is a series that's definitely worth reading. The first two books were genuinely astounding in their approach to many difficult themes, and I would consider them some of the best fantasy books I've read (I do hesitate to call them sci-fi). The entire series was very difficult to put down until I was finished with it.
But Clay's Ark is a sort of side-arc which has little to do with anything except as a set piece for the final book. The culmination that is Patternmaster is short and frankly disappointing. It was the first book written and just doesn't have the same philosophical weight to it as the others. The conclusion itself (i.e. the outcome of all the eugenics and everything else that happens in the first 3 books) was also not as interesting or satisfying as I had hoped for. Although there would be some spoilers, it might be worth reading the books in publication order just as a way to better manage expectations.
Still, this is a series that's definitely worth reading. The first two books were genuinely astounding in their approach to many difficult themes, and I would consider them some of the best fantasy books I've read (I do hesitate to call them sci-fi). The entire series was very difficult to put down until I was finished with it.
colinmeldrum's review against another edition
5.0
Wild Seed is one of my favorite novels of all time. The other novels in the series are interesting, but more like 4-star stories by comparison.
rat_queen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
2.0
Really enjoyed the first two novels, but the last two left me wanting and unsatisfied. Enjoyed the changing and intertwining themes of slavery, free will, and family throughout the series.
sylectra's review against another edition
4.0
A very fine group of novels
Some of the characters I loved a lot, such as Anyanwu. Her determination to remain good despite living for hundreds of years was encouraging. Clay's Ark and The Patternmaster were not as easy to relate to. The books had a long view that made sense given what had happened and the people involved.
Some of the characters I loved a lot, such as Anyanwu. Her determination to remain good despite living for hundreds of years was encouraging. Clay's Ark and The Patternmaster were not as easy to relate to. The books had a long view that made sense given what had happened and the people involved.
heatherp23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lil1inblue's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-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
5.0
paintedgiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
This whole story was amazing. My only regret is that we couldn't stay with the characters longer =P Besides the first two books, each book had a different set of characters.