Wild Seed (Book 1 of 4 Patternist Series) by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia E. Butler's Patternist series, also known as Seed to Harvest, is a collection of science fiction novels that chronicles an alternate human history stretching from ancient Africa to a post-apocalyptic future. The central conflict revolves around an immortal, body-snatching entity named Doro and his centuries-long quest to breed a master race of telepaths. This endeavor eventually divides humanity into three groups: the telepathic Patternists, the enslaved "mutes" (ordinary humans), and the mutated, animalistic Clayarks. 

The series is noted for its powerful explorations of themes related to power, identity, race, gender, and the ethical implications of genetic manipulation. 

While the books were published out of order, reading them chronologically provides the full, sweeping story of the Patternists' creation and eventual dominance. 

The series' beginning, set in 17th-century Africa, introduces the immortal, body-snatching Doro and the powerful, shape-shifting healer Anyanwu. Doro takes Anyanwu with him to America, where he forces her to become the mother of his psychic "family." The novel explores their deeply complex, abusive, and interdependent relationship as Doro works to refine the psychic human race.