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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This might be my favorite of the series so far. With any book series, I'm always curious as to where the author began planning our his or her long game for the series. I think Children of Dune set that stage and God Emperor follows behind it brilliantly. There were many things that made this book work: a diversity of characters, relatively easy to follow plot (compared to Herbert's previous books), good exposition from the Leto's stolen journals, and believable character development. My only criticism is that I wish that the goal of Leto's Golden Path had been revealed a little earlier in the book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is hugely different to this first books in the Dune series. Very fast-paced in comparison, with a compelling plot behind these (mostly!) new and hugely intriguing characters. Loved it from start to finish, and highly quotable too.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
With what is objectively an odd plot, Frank again has created memorable characters, events and sets the scene for the sequels to come.
Weird.... But I like it.
This book felt like the quintessential Dune book. It has all these different threads that are being manipulated in the background, and so much commentary on religion, ecology, government and power, humanity, etc. What it lacked in giant worms (my favorite part of Dune 1) it made up for with Leto II being a weird, all powerful, worm God to the people.
My biggest gripe with this book is the weird way that women are talked about. Every significant female character is at one point or another described by her curves or sexuality, whether that be by another character's inner dialogue or just how she is described. The old, white guy author really shines through in those sections.
I found it very powerful how Duncan is this character known for his allegiance to the Atreidies, but every iteration of the ghola ends up trying to to kill Leto. It very clearly shows what kind of ruler Leto has been the 3500 years that we missed between books.
There were many parts that really stuck with me, but more than anything else I felt like the way that they talk about the rise of machines before the butlerian jihad felt very applicable to the current world. Multiple times it was mentioned how important the human mind is and how we can't let technology do the thinking for us. With the rise of AI and people using AI in their daily life for tasks that can be done without ChatGPT, it really made me think of how important the resistance to automating thinking is. It's such a privilege to get to think and use my brain and why would I want to let something take that away. I know that's not what the main focus of this book is and that in previous books it has been mentioned, but this was really the first time that it all clicked.
This book felt like the quintessential Dune book. It has all these different threads that are being manipulated in the background, and so much commentary on religion, ecology, government and power, humanity, etc. What it lacked in giant worms (my favorite part of Dune 1) it made up for with Leto II being a weird, all powerful, worm God to the people.
My biggest gripe with this book is the weird way that women are talked about. Every significant female character is at one point or another described by her curves or sexuality, whether that be by another character's inner dialogue or just how she is described. The old, white guy author really shines through in those sections.
I found it very powerful how Duncan is this character known for his allegiance to the Atreidies, but every iteration of the ghola ends up trying to to kill Leto. It very clearly shows what kind of ruler Leto has been the 3500 years that we missed between books.
There were many parts that really stuck with me, but more than anything else I felt like the way that they talk about the rise of machines before the butlerian jihad felt very applicable to the current world. Multiple times it was mentioned how important the human mind is and how we can't let technology do the thinking for us. With the rise of AI and people using AI in their daily life for tasks that can be done without ChatGPT, it really made me think of how important the resistance to automating thinking is. It's such a privilege to get to think and use my brain and why would I want to let something take that away. I know that's not what the main focus of this book is and that in previous books it has been mentioned, but this was really the first time that it all clicked.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I truly cannot wait for them to try to make a movie out of this
Yeah. I can understand why people stopped reading this series after the fourth book. I agree. "You'll you still love me if I was a worm?", was the whole plot. I'm serious.
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated