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tomizuka0829's review against another edition
4.5
As always, these Dune prequels continue to enhance the original run of novels and add to the rich tapestry of the franchise. Satisfying on so many levels with some key plot elements coming to fruition.
suzemo's review against another edition
2.0
I'm pretty sure anything I would have to say about this book is similar to my Review of Sisterhood of Dune because these books all kind of blur together for me.
The one bonus is that this book *Actually* covered the formation of the Spacing Guild, which you kind of knew was coming with Venport anyway, but this was much more substantial/clear.
And a bunch of people died. Yay.
The one bonus is that this book *Actually* covered the formation of the Spacing Guild, which you kind of knew was coming with Venport anyway, but this was much more substantial/clear.
And a bunch of people died. Yay.
laurapk's review against another edition
1.0
I was hoping this was going to be less of a dumpster fire compared to the previous prequels, but my hope died a fiery agonizing death. The authors tell tell tell in very repetitive writing things you already know (such as: Venport thinks Torondo is a mad man and hates his guts; Roderick Corino is broken up by the death of his daughter and never wanted to be emperor; Valya Harkonen is consumed by absurd levels of hatred towards all Artreides, etc, etc, etc, etc). All interesting character developments happens off screen (Tulla feels remorse for killing Ori, but you only see her after she's undergone that internal transformation). Character development happens at faster-than-Holtzmann-engines-travel speed: Erasmus is bored by Anna Corinno in one scene and on the same day or a few days later is madly in love with her to the point where he practically commits suicide on Denali. Inconsistencies abound once again: Norma can fold space instantly, unless we need to have some tension in which case she needs time.
I could list a lot of problems with the bad writing, abysmal character development, but why bother? I realize Brian Herbert didn't know what to do with the rich, unique world his father had left behind. So his solution was to bring in cliches and already overly-used sci-fi elements such as telekinetic women, and evil AIs, which are as pleasant to observe in this world as a large patch of garbage floating over the Great Coral Reef. I'll do myself a favor and read the summary of the remaining prequels on Wikipedia, then I may read the final book (at 2x speed to limit my agony).
Honestly, can all the characters die already? I don't care for any of them and the only OK ones are Roderick and Norma, but even they're not interesting enough to make me care.
I could list a lot of problems with the bad writing, abysmal character development, but why bother? I realize Brian Herbert didn't know what to do with the rich, unique world his father had left behind. So his solution was to bring in cliches and already overly-used sci-fi elements such as telekinetic women, and evil AIs, which are as pleasant to observe in this world as a large patch of garbage floating over the Great Coral Reef. I'll do myself a favor and read the summary of the remaining prequels on Wikipedia, then I may read the final book (at 2x speed to limit my agony).
Honestly, can all the characters die already? I don't care for any of them and the only OK ones are Roderick and Norma, but even they're not interesting enough to make me care.
sunscour's review against another edition
4.0
There are some characters that are still alive that need to die.....
laileanah's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.0
2023 Reread:
My original review is still valid🤷🏾♀️
Original Review:
I liked this one because of the feud between the Atreides and Harkonnens' focus. I can easily see future novels written by these authors following the adventures and squabbles of Valya, Tula, and Danvis Harkonnen and Willem Atreides, who will clearly earn favor with the Emporer and marry a princess.
The rest of the novel, like 95%, was boring and predictable.
My original review is still valid🤷🏾♀️
Original Review:
I liked this one because of the feud between the Atreides and Harkonnens' focus. I can easily see future novels written by these authors following the adventures and squabbles of Valya, Tula, and Danvis Harkonnen and Willem Atreides, who will clearly earn favor with the Emporer and marry a princess.
The rest of the novel, like 95%, was boring and predictable.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
5.0
This may possibly be my favorite Dune trilogy so far. Such a cool setup with Manfred (Trump) and his anti-progress cultists trying to take control and Venport (Elon) and his huge ego and resources trying to take control, and then the emperor (Biden) in the middle trying to hold the universe together but not having the resources to do it. I'm not sure where the Sisterhood comes in as far as current political connections, but it was really cool to see them forming into the institution we all know and love.
Also very cool to see the beginnings of the Suk doctors and the navigators, plus a bunch of swordmaster stuff in the first book. This trilogy had me on the edge of my seat and threw at least a couple of surprises at me that I definitely didn't expect.
Also very cool to see the beginnings of the Suk doctors and the navigators, plus a bunch of swordmaster stuff in the first book. This trilogy had me on the edge of my seat and threw at least a couple of surprises at me that I definitely didn't expect.
lostingothicmusic's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
3.75
reasonpassion's review against another edition
4.0
A good end to a trilogy that embodies the themes of the original series the best so far. Seeing the Bene Gesseritt, Mentats and Navigators come into being, how the political and social structure of the empire shifts in response to dogmatism and the lingering fears of the machine wars was pretty well done and good for further questions and thoughts post-read. There are times the anti-dogmatism nail is hit over and over again so hard that it comes across like preaching, but there is no greater threat to the universe Herbert created than unquestioned belief and self-righteousness. A good message in these days of the real world? Absolutely.