Patternmaster by Octavia Butler -- book review

Patternmaster is a novel about telekinetic telepaths who live on a planet with "mutes" and clayarks. Patternmaster is the first of several books Butler wrote about the Patternists.

Patternmaster tells the story of the struggle between two patternists. One of them (Coransee) is seeking to take over as Patternmaster. The other (Teray) seeks only to remain free of Coransee's control and live freely with his chosen mate. Both men are the sons of Rayal, the current Patternmaster.

Patternmaster is a quick read and an involving adventure story. Butler uses the book's themes to discuss ideas about subjugation and power and morality. I will read further books in the series to see where she went with the ideas. Patternmaster was Butler's first book to be published.

I've been reading and blogging about other books by Octavia Butler, see:

http://booked4life.blogspot.com/2006/03/parable-of-talents-by-octavia-butler_13.html

http://booked4life.blogspot.com/2006/03/kindred-by-octavia-e-butler-book.html