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alliejuve's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pmarf46's review against another edition
5.0
The themes of the book were still strong, told in a compellingly-dense prose that offers a lot of detail and emotion to chew on. However, I’ve got a few gripes that make this worse than the first.
Firstly, Scytale and the conspiracy make FAR weaker antagonists. Scytale is a slithery, untrustworthy character, but is generally too powerless to pose a threat to the prescience of the Atreides. No matter how cunning your villain, they will be no match to an omniscient hero. The existential threat of the jihad is a good counter to this, as Paul’s greatest foe is arguably himself. However, the jihad was a very abstract concept, and it was hard to grasp the full effect of it. It happened entirely in the gap between books, and other than a few mentions of the new religion and the pilgrims, we don’t get a sense for how the world has demonstrably changed in the 12 years following Paul’s victory.
I get the sense that Herbert was more adept at writing political intrigue and interpersonal conflict than he was at the macro-mechanics of a solar system and the explosive destruction of war and battles. For this reason, the climatic action of both books felt rushed and a little awkward to me. It might’ve held more weight had we been given more time with the key players of the conspiracy and the main antagonist himself - both of which felt severely underdeveloped,
That being said, Dune: Messiah builds on the magnificent commentary on politics, religion, and prophecy that made the first book so interesting. It’s consistently absorbing and begs rumination on a number of concepts. Onto Children of Dune!
Firstly, Scytale and the conspiracy make FAR weaker antagonists. Scytale is a slithery, untrustworthy character, but is generally too powerless to pose a threat to the prescience of the Atreides. No matter how cunning your villain, they will be no match to an omniscient hero. The existential threat of the jihad is a good counter to this, as Paul’s greatest foe is arguably himself. However, the jihad was a very abstract concept, and it was hard to grasp the full effect of it. It happened entirely in the gap between books, and other than a few mentions of the new religion and the pilgrims, we don’t get a sense for how the world has demonstrably changed in the 12 years following Paul’s victory.
I get the sense that Herbert was more adept at writing political intrigue and interpersonal conflict than he was at the macro-mechanics of a solar system and the explosive destruction of war and battles. For this reason, the climatic action of both books felt rushed and a little awkward to me. It might’ve held more weight had we been given more time with the key players of the conspiracy and the main antagonist himself - both of which felt severely underdeveloped,
That being said, Dune: Messiah builds on the magnificent commentary on politics, religion, and prophecy that made the first book so interesting. It’s consistently absorbing and begs rumination on a number of concepts. Onto Children of Dune!
anaurrutia's review against another edition
5.0
Segunda lectura: Ah qué caray, me encanta. 2da lectura terminada. Cuando se descubren los teje manejes que forman el complot y los giros en este, es maravilloso. Mañana inicio el tercero, estoy muy emocionada.
Primera lectura: Es genial, jaja, hay un par de detallitos que como que no tanto, pero como conjunto sí, muy genial. Ojalá hagan la tercera película que iría sobre este libro porque si no quedará algo incompleta la historia de Paul... aquí tiene cierre y es perfecto.
Primera lectura: Es genial, jaja, hay un par de detallitos que como que no tanto, pero como conjunto sí, muy genial. Ojalá hagan la tercera película que iría sobre este libro porque si no quedará algo incompleta la historia de Paul... aquí tiene cierre y es perfecto.
hgbush's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ilegnealle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I found this one a lot more difficult to understand than part 1. The ending did make me really sad, though.
evbot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
papasfreezeriasbestworker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.25
genocforal's review against another edition
3.0
Herbert writes in cryptic style—partly to maintain mystery, partly to illustrate the veil of prescience. Frank's message is insightful and chilling: even the best of men can have followings that lead to the worst of times. Combine faith, government, and a heroic icon, and you can find yourself swept away in a movement that neither has the capability of stopping nor keeping itself in check.
Herbert's execution and style hold the book back from excellence. However, the warning, combined with the lore of his universe, will likely keep the book in the public consciousness for years to come.
Herbert's execution and style hold the book back from excellence. However, the warning, combined with the lore of his universe, will likely keep the book in the public consciousness for years to come.
awen_mair's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I feel like it took me ages to read but once I got going it was fine. The last 25% was 5/5 but low score because of how big of a slog it was in the beginning.