Scan barcode
lostingothicmusic's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
not exactly high literature, or great scifi, but I love the Dune Universe and I had so much fun in this book.
vayeate's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This book was a painful experience. Some characters are so dumb, that it felt I was becoming dumb while reading.
majkia's review against another edition
3.0
never felt really engaged with the characters. interesting story though, so that was a shame.
catsflipped's review against another edition
4.0
For a moment forget that this is a fictional story set millennia in the future with humans spread across the expance of space, Earth long since a nuclear wasteland. This is a story of human nature, of it's inability to live in peace and enoy life, of its need to always be at war and never be happy.
After centuries of war with the thinking machines humans are at last rid of them, some 80 years have past since the last great battle where victory finally vanquished the machine enemy.
Are they happy? Are they at peace? No of cource they are not, now we have the war between ignorance and science and as in todays society ignorance seems to be winning under the guise of religion and the fanatical Butlerians.
The Butlerians bend on destroying anything even remotely helpful to the human race come head to head with the 3 schools, the Sisterhood, The Mentats and the Doctors of Suk. By the end of the book the human race is set to enter another dark ages and from the outside it is exactly what they deserve.
Having read a number of these books (trying to keep them in chronological order) I am used to the different worlds and their thinking. I still feel these authors pad these already large books out even further by adding more information than needed and including stories of character that have no bearing on the main story and just frustrate this reader at having to wade through those pages. If the book did not wander off along these tangents it would most likely have been given 5 stars.
After centuries of war with the thinking machines humans are at last rid of them, some 80 years have past since the last great battle where victory finally vanquished the machine enemy.
Are they happy? Are they at peace? No of cource they are not, now we have the war between ignorance and science and as in todays society ignorance seems to be winning under the guise of religion and the fanatical Butlerians.
The Butlerians bend on destroying anything even remotely helpful to the human race come head to head with the 3 schools, the Sisterhood, The Mentats and the Doctors of Suk. By the end of the book the human race is set to enter another dark ages and from the outside it is exactly what they deserve.
Having read a number of these books (trying to keep them in chronological order) I am used to the different worlds and their thinking. I still feel these authors pad these already large books out even further by adding more information than needed and including stories of character that have no bearing on the main story and just frustrate this reader at having to wade through those pages. If the book did not wander off along these tangents it would most likely have been given 5 stars.
scarletcarnival's review against another edition
4.0
The Herbert/Anderson additions to the Dune series are not particularly known for their philosophical depth (despite their quite noble attempts). Unlike Frank Herbert's original series, the extended books are less successful in the depth of thought and more tilted toward an ADHD world that requires bombs and blood. That said, and for full disclosure, I am a huge fan of the Herbert/Anderson additions. I believe they have done the world of Dune a great service and I continue to look forward to however many books they will produce in the future.
The Sisterhood of Dune, however, takes a sharp left turn from their previous work and—without quite yet reaching the depth of the original series—aims for something more than guts and glory. This storyline could have been ripped from any day on a Facebook wall. The struggle of faith and reason, religion and science, is a very relevant theme right now in our present world. Herbert/Anderson tackle that theme head-on and succeed in ways that I think would have made Frank Herbert proud. Granted, they have continued many of the tropes that have made their previous books both loved and reviled but it would be disingenuous of them to suddenly change their own style because of a few bad reviews here and there. In fact, in some ways, I can see The Sisterhood of Dune being the answer of Herbert/Anderson to the fanatical faith of those who irrationally refuse to see anything beyond Frank Herbert's books and into their ability to live and create within that same universe.
This volume starts a new series of books dedicated to the origins of the Great Schools (Bene Gesserit, the Mentats, the Suk Doctors, the Spacing Guild and the Navigators). If there is anything that is more interesting to me than the nitty-gritty details of these schools, I'm not sure what it would be. Herbert/Anderson almost fulfilled my wishes here. Of course, there are at least two more books in this series, so I will have to wait and see if there is further expansion on origins in the next books, but The Sisterhood of Dune was sufficient as a start to whet my appetite for more.
I don't do spoilers. Not really, I mean. So take these next comments as you will.
• There is a lot of pick-up from the last novels that seems to be included to bring people up to speed. The first third of the book is a bit slow and redundant if you've just finished the Legends of Dune trilogy. After that, it picks up nicely and while the rest of the book doesn't exactly move mountains, it held my interest nicely.
• Reading of the Butlerians destroying everything in their path was heart-wrenching at times. The portrayal of these fanatics was not only scary in a very real way, but touches off all kinds of red flags and warning sirens in our own time.
• The Agamemnon twins were a waste of space and story. I failed to understand their purpose and inclusion. As with most things, though, I will reserve judgement until the end of this series to see if I might just be missing something because there is more coming.
• Likewise, without putting too fine a point on it, there were a couple of deaths that seemed premature. I can see where these are leading and why, but they seemed a bit too contrived and character development was lacking.
• Seeing the origins of some of the most beloved (or notorious) aspects of the original series was neat (e.g., juice of sapho, imperial condition of the Suk doctors, etc).
• Several things came up that require I now go back and re-read the Prelude to Dune trilogy. The Sisterhood of Dune brings up some storylines that I just can't remember how are wrapped up before the original series starts. Seeing Erasmus again was a bit disorienting.
All in all, I enjoyed it and I look forward to the rest of this series.
The Sisterhood of Dune, however, takes a sharp left turn from their previous work and—without quite yet reaching the depth of the original series—aims for something more than guts and glory. This storyline could have been ripped from any day on a Facebook wall. The struggle of faith and reason, religion and science, is a very relevant theme right now in our present world. Herbert/Anderson tackle that theme head-on and succeed in ways that I think would have made Frank Herbert proud. Granted, they have continued many of the tropes that have made their previous books both loved and reviled but it would be disingenuous of them to suddenly change their own style because of a few bad reviews here and there. In fact, in some ways, I can see The Sisterhood of Dune being the answer of Herbert/Anderson to the fanatical faith of those who irrationally refuse to see anything beyond Frank Herbert's books and into their ability to live and create within that same universe.
This volume starts a new series of books dedicated to the origins of the Great Schools (Bene Gesserit, the Mentats, the Suk Doctors, the Spacing Guild and the Navigators). If there is anything that is more interesting to me than the nitty-gritty details of these schools, I'm not sure what it would be. Herbert/Anderson almost fulfilled my wishes here. Of course, there are at least two more books in this series, so I will have to wait and see if there is further expansion on origins in the next books, but The Sisterhood of Dune was sufficient as a start to whet my appetite for more.
I don't do spoilers. Not really, I mean. So take these next comments as you will.
• There is a lot of pick-up from the last novels that seems to be included to bring people up to speed. The first third of the book is a bit slow and redundant if you've just finished the Legends of Dune trilogy. After that, it picks up nicely and while the rest of the book doesn't exactly move mountains, it held my interest nicely.
• Reading of the Butlerians destroying everything in their path was heart-wrenching at times. The portrayal of these fanatics was not only scary in a very real way, but touches off all kinds of red flags and warning sirens in our own time.
• The Agamemnon twins were a waste of space and story. I failed to understand their purpose and inclusion. As with most things, though, I will reserve judgement until the end of this series to see if I might just be missing something because there is more coming.
• Likewise, without putting too fine a point on it, there were a couple of deaths that seemed premature. I can see where these are leading and why, but they seemed a bit too contrived and character development was lacking.
• Seeing the origins of some of the most beloved (or notorious) aspects of the original series was neat (e.g., juice of sapho, imperial condition of the Suk doctors, etc).
• Several things came up that require I now go back and re-read the Prelude to Dune trilogy. The Sisterhood of Dune brings up some storylines that I just can't remember how are wrapped up before the original series starts. Seeing Erasmus again was a bit disorienting.
All in all, I enjoyed it and I look forward to the rest of this series.
kathykekmrs's review against another edition
2.0
This was an interesting look at how the universe gets set up for the world of Dune, but there are far too many cliffhangers at the end of the novel. It reads as if Herbert and Anderson have a lot of books yet to write and does not stand well on its own. That all being said the beginning parts of the novel are quite good.
This novel is the introduction to the Sisterhood where reverend mothers are taught. It explains a little bit of the process of the chemical transformation that takes place inside a woman when she becomes a reverend mother.
There is also another war brewing in this world. The anti-technology factions are becoming increasingly violent and the people who use the machines are hiding while the rebuild.
The book would be quite good if it did not read like there was more coming. Each volume should stand up for itself and in the case of this book it does not.
This novel is the introduction to the Sisterhood where reverend mothers are taught. It explains a little bit of the process of the chemical transformation that takes place inside a woman when she becomes a reverend mother.
There is also another war brewing in this world. The anti-technology factions are becoming increasingly violent and the people who use the machines are hiding while the rebuild.
The book would be quite good if it did not read like there was more coming. Each volume should stand up for itself and in the case of this book it does not.
redheadbeans's review against another edition
2.0
I grew up with the "Dune" movie and both mini-series and I've read "Dune" three times, so the series holds a special place in my heart. I decided to read the expanded universe/prequels/sequels/w/e. This has led to some good things and some bad things.
For instance, there seem to be more female characters of importance in the newer books than in the old, and particularly on the relationships between women and women in power. Despite the fact that the Bene Gesserit have always been central to plotlines in this universe, most of the stories are about men (the women prophesying a superior man thing is part of the problem). The prequels and interquels have amended this a bit, and have introduced some pretty neat women. This book does not disappoint on that front, and continues the tale of many characters from the "Legends of Dune" trilogy. Still... some characters' fates aren't as thrilling as others.
Don't be fooled by the cover with the woman who is wearing, I believe, what is supposed to be some kind of boobalicious stillsuit body armor with a crysknife with, I presume, other women in the background and some fires going on. This may be a reference to something I vaguely recall from later books way down the line in the series but has literally nothing to do with this book. And if the character in question is anyone, her story is horribly written and ends badly, there are only two women of note on Dune itself, and the only one with a crysknife is not involved in something like that (nor is anyone else). On a nitpicky note (although it's a trend in science fiction book covers), the costume is stupid. For one thing, I've seen some mock-up sketches of what a stillsuit probably looks like (in comparison to descriptions and basic common sense). I've seen modern body armor. And I've seen what movie studio mock-ups have done for the stillsuit. I've also traveled in a desert and know people who have done so. You don't dress like that unless you're a moron. Long story short: the title "Sisterhood OF DUNE" is likely in reference to the fact that the book's primary focus is on the early Bene Gesserit Sisterhood... from the "Dune" series. Not Arrakis, the planet. I guess you could argue that Dune's existence in the economy helps shape them but like... anyway. Very misleading.
Overall, the writing is quite repetitive. Whole lines are repeated with frequency and for some bizarre reason many chapters feel the need to summarize prior chapters repeatedly, in case we forgot where we were in the story or what just happened. Repeatedly. Not because something particularly shocking just happened. But just because we're moving on in the story and I guess our memory can't be trusted. It's monotonous and little is accomplished. It doesn't help that the book frequently seems to glorify in slaughter.
We go back to Vorian because of course we do. We go back to Arrakis because of course we do, in a Spark Notes version of Paul and Jessica's journey (ish). It's just as frustrating and boring as everything else. There are so many interesting characters and storylines going on here and the Chani knock-off was really cool but of course her storyline turns out like it does and honestly it was just so boring. I find it hard to care about Erasmus and the Mentat school in this plotline, which is worrisome because this isn't even the Mentat book in the series. I should be curious about it, not thinking "Oh when will this end so I never have to read it again?"
Also, try to avoid any audiobooks narrated by Scott Brick. He sounds like what I imagine paint drying would sound like if it were a person. He turns monotony super-monotonous and is just overall frustrating to listen to. These books are difficult enough to get through, and unfortunately he narrates most if not all of them apparently.
There is some great stuff in the expanded universe books... if you just read the "Legends of Dune" part. And tilt your head and squint. Otherwise, my recommendation would be to stick to re-reading "Dune" and its sequels for the present. These others are poorly written and a struggle to finish.
For instance, there seem to be more female characters of importance in the newer books than in the old, and particularly on the relationships between women and women in power. Despite the fact that the Bene Gesserit have always been central to plotlines in this universe, most of the stories are about men (the women prophesying a superior man thing is part of the problem). The prequels and interquels have amended this a bit, and have introduced some pretty neat women. This book does not disappoint on that front, and continues the tale of many characters from the "Legends of Dune" trilogy. Still... some characters' fates aren't as thrilling as others.
Don't be fooled by the cover with the woman who is wearing, I believe, what is supposed to be some kind of boobalicious stillsuit body armor with a crysknife with, I presume, other women in the background and some fires going on. This may be a reference to something I vaguely recall from later books way down the line in the series but has literally nothing to do with this book. And if the character in question is anyone, her story is horribly written and ends badly, there are only two women of note on Dune itself, and the only one with a crysknife is not involved in something like that (nor is anyone else). On a nitpicky note (although it's a trend in science fiction book covers), the costume is stupid. For one thing, I've seen some mock-up sketches of what a stillsuit probably looks like (in comparison to descriptions and basic common sense). I've seen modern body armor. And I've seen what movie studio mock-ups have done for the stillsuit. I've also traveled in a desert and know people who have done so. You don't dress like that unless you're a moron. Long story short: the title "Sisterhood OF DUNE" is likely in reference to the fact that the book's primary focus is on the early Bene Gesserit Sisterhood... from the "Dune" series. Not Arrakis, the planet. I guess you could argue that Dune's existence in the economy helps shape them but like... anyway. Very misleading.
Overall, the writing is quite repetitive. Whole lines are repeated with frequency and for some bizarre reason many chapters feel the need to summarize prior chapters repeatedly, in case we forgot where we were in the story or what just happened. Repeatedly. Not because something particularly shocking just happened. But just because we're moving on in the story and I guess our memory can't be trusted. It's monotonous and little is accomplished. It doesn't help that the book frequently seems to glorify in slaughter.
We go back to Vorian because of course we do. We go back to Arrakis because of course we do, in a Spark Notes version of Paul and Jessica's journey (ish). It's just as frustrating and boring as everything else. There are so many interesting characters and storylines going on here and the Chani knock-off was really cool but of course her storyline turns out like it does and honestly it was just so boring. I find it hard to care about Erasmus and the Mentat school in this plotline, which is worrisome because this isn't even the Mentat book in the series. I should be curious about it, not thinking "Oh when will this end so I never have to read it again?"
Also, try to avoid any audiobooks narrated by Scott Brick. He sounds like what I imagine paint drying would sound like if it were a person. He turns monotony super-monotonous and is just overall frustrating to listen to. These books are difficult enough to get through, and unfortunately he narrates most if not all of them apparently.
There is some great stuff in the expanded universe books... if you just read the "Legends of Dune" part. And tilt your head and squint. Otherwise, my recommendation would be to stick to re-reading "Dune" and its sequels for the present. These others are poorly written and a struggle to finish.
utbw42's review against another edition
4.0
The Duniverse has always fascinated me, so this entry will no doubt be much more interesting and enjoyable to me than to the casual reader....although I can't imagine anyone who hasn't read the other volumes in this world reading this one. I have always found Herbert/Anderson novels to be enjoyable, readable, and very interesting...albeit not the quality of the master, Frank. This was a worthy entry for my Duniverse library.
dray's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book, it had a faster pace than the previous few volumes in the series.