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rissasreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2.8 - The pacing of this one felt so odd and completely off for me. I was on the last 200 pages of the book and I was wondering what the stakes were, what the exact problem or plan was, and I was wondering when we were going to hit the climax or turning point of the novel. I thought at first maybe it would be like the first Dune book where the beginning is super dialogue heavy before transferring into a whirlwind of action, but that never happened. I'm not sure if it was maybe because of what was happening in Frank's life around the time this book came out but this one was just missing the "it" factor the other novels had.
I mean the last 100 pages felt like it could've been the middle of the book.... This one just wasn't it for me personally.
I mean the last 100 pages felt like it could've been the middle of the book.... This one just wasn't it for me personally.
mugwumpun's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed how my revisiting of the Dune series paralleled the time past since the previous events in the book, a few thousand years or so since the God Emperor. Reading about how things have changed was great, and finding out what Leto II's grand plan for humanity was also interesting. The problem was that the story felt more of a prologue to something else. It seems like everything in the story is a set up for a calamitous event in the next book.
izzylashley's review against another edition
4.0
100% my favorite Dune book yet and since there is only one more I am going to assume it will stay my favorite. It's so interesting the way Herbert is able to have this continuous storyline that extends for thousands and thousands of years. Sometimes it's a little difficult to keep track of but I really enjoy the way it ebbs and flows. I think my favorite character throughout this whole series has been Duncan Idaho and the way his character evolved in this particular book while still being a Ghoula was crazy. The different political whims too in this book always left me questioning who was on whos side and what everyone's secret motive behind certain decisions were, especially those associated with the bene gesserit.
damicatto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
melhhan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.5
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately, the series should have been a trilogy. This is still good, but it rides too much on the brilliance of the earlier books. It lacks substance.
revraimi's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
suneaters's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really did have fun, but Frank needed an editor that wasn't afraid to cut the fat and trim this book down. We read parallel stories of Sheeana and Duncan that converge in the end. I really liked Duncan this time around until he gets his memories back. You really felt for him, essentially locked up with only semblances of parental figures and never really know what's going on. I liked the characters and the character work here, especially Odrade and her relationship with Miles Teg and Taraza. And the latter two's relationship with each other. It all made for great drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Violence, Sexual assault, and War
Duncan Idaho, bodily 16, but with the memories of his adult self, has sex with Honored Matre Murbella, who is presumably above the age of majority. Consent is dubious. Lucilla, also an adult woman, plans to have sex with 16 year old Duncan Idaho, at a time when he does not have memories of his adult life, but this never occurs. Sheena, likely below the age of majority, receives "sexual education" from the Bene Gesserit. The Honored Matres are often referred to as "whores".mattthrasher's review against another edition
3.5
Well-written and an interesting read, but it’s probably my least favorite of the 5 Dune books I’ve read so far