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simonbb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
biscuitroller's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.75
God, this was a slog.
thefiendslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I found Chapterhouse to be very enjoyable after I was less impressed with Heretics of Dune. Now I am torn on whether or not to continue with Brian Herbert's books (Frank Herbert's son). The vast majority of what I've heard about those books is negative, but I may pick them up and give them a try at some point and find out for myself. That being said, I'm very glad to have read the original series. Some of the ideas put forward stick with me in a way that nothing else ever has. Thanks Dune.
applesodaperson's review against another edition
challenging
slow-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
2.0
This book was so boring! This book was so long for literally the most underwhelming ending ever. Like you are telling me that the Bene Gesserit spent years running from the Honored Matres only for them to just make an alliance at the end? It just made no narrative sense and felt so anticlimactic and out of character for the Honored Matres.
I also still do not understand why they locked up Duncan Idaho? Like maybe I missed something but it made no sense to me. What would the benefit to keeping him locked up for years be? Because narratively for the reader it just led to every scene with Idaho in it to be super boring and stagnant. Also this book honestly turned me into a Duncan Idaho hater. He was so cool in the first 4 books because of his talent and his loyalty to the Atreides. But in this book all that loyalty seems to be gone completely and without it, he comes across as a bland and unlikeable character. Also I HATED that 1) they did the graphic sexual assault of a child plot line AGAIN! Like hello that is extremely messed up and is absolutely not vital to the story. Herbert could have just thought up another way to active gholas that doesn't involve the horrific and detailed sexual assault of children. And 2) I hated that Duncan Idaho falls in love with Murbella, who is the one that assaulted him in the last book. Hated hated hated that. No book should ever portray a story line where is a positive thing to fall in love with the person who assaulted you. Horrible message to send to readers.
Also Sheeana was nerfed so bad. Like all that building up of her connection with the worms only to have her leave for no reason at the end? What was the point?
Also the Face Dancers continued to be nerfed in this book, which has been an ongoing and consistent issue I have had with this series.
The one saving grace of this book was Odrade. I really enjoyed her character and i loved how she showed a more human side of the Bene Gesserit. I liked seeing her daily life and the ins and outs of it. And I liked hearing about the pressures she was under as Reverend Mother.
Read my personal copy.
I also still do not understand why they locked up Duncan Idaho? Like maybe I missed something but it made no sense to me. What would the benefit to keeping him locked up for years be? Because narratively for the reader it just led to every scene with Idaho in it to be super boring and stagnant. Also this book honestly turned me into a Duncan Idaho hater. He was so cool in the first 4 books because of his talent and his loyalty to the Atreides. But in this book all that loyalty seems to be gone completely and without it, he comes across as a bland and unlikeable character. Also I HATED that 1) they did the graphic sexual assault of a child plot line AGAIN! Like hello that is extremely messed up and is absolutely not vital to the story. Herbert could have just thought up another way to active gholas that doesn't involve the horrific and detailed sexual assault of children. And 2) I hated that Duncan Idaho falls in love with Murbella, who is the one that assaulted him in the last book. Hated hated hated that. No book should ever portray a story line where is a positive thing to fall in love with the person who assaulted you. Horrible message to send to readers.
Also Sheeana was nerfed so bad. Like all that building up of her connection with the worms only to have her leave for no reason at the end? What was the point?
Also the Face Dancers continued to be nerfed in this book, which has been an ongoing and consistent issue I have had with this series.
The one saving grace of this book was Odrade. I really enjoyed her character and i loved how she showed a more human side of the Bene Gesserit. I liked seeing her daily life and the ins and outs of it. And I liked hearing about the pressures she was under as Reverend Mother.
Read my personal copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
quinnsimmons's review against another edition
What the fuck was the last chapter of this book
theladysiona's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly skimmed this. Not bad but it definitely does not live up to the original or God Emperor (and not even Children or Messiah either). I think Frank just kinda got too esoteric. I’m still planning on trying the books written by his son and Kevin J Anderson, but they aren’t really a priority for me.
bigpizza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
choosing not to think about the brief child sexual abuse
tonyshelf's review against another edition
4.0
There were a few strange choices that Herbert took in Chapterhouse, almost as if he wasn't intending this would be the last of the series (and I know others continued the universe), but otherwise it was an excellent addition to the series.