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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
The second in the series of the early Machine set immerses the reader in the many facets leading to the seminal book, Dune. Foundations are laid for the genesis of the Gene Gesserit, the Navigators, and others. I read the entire series in publication order many years ago and am now going through in chronological order, finding it even more compelling so far.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
I'm caught between saying this was bad because it can't stand alone, and saying that it's good because I knew ahead of time that it would just be a continuation of a story I like. I suppose with series like this, this sort of ho-hum-ery will happen, but there were a few times I almost wasn't excited to keep reading.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-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
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
Yes
Eh. It was alright. There was a lot of weird stuff this time. But like, not as bad it has been. It’s still very basic writing but the plot was decent. Idk what they’re going to do for the last one.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Relentlessly insipid. The shambling horror of its plot is bound together only by the staggering stupidity of every single one of its characters. Immersion is impossible; suspension of disbelief wholly undeserved. I confess, this is the first book in a long while to defeat me. I did not finish it.
I try to keep my nostalgia glasses from becoming too rose-tinted: the Dune sequels penned by Herbert himself had many problems. But these novels are simply abysmal. The first editor to see them should have set them alight. I'm fond of Tor, but these books represent a cash-in of the ugliest sort. Move right along, lover of sci-fi: you'll find only frustration and disappointment here.
I try to keep my nostalgia glasses from becoming too rose-tinted: the Dune sequels penned by Herbert himself had many problems. But these novels are simply abysmal. The first editor to see them should have set them alight. I'm fond of Tor, but these books represent a cash-in of the ugliest sort. Move right along, lover of sci-fi: you'll find only frustration and disappointment here.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced