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applesodaperson's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
dauramirez's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert follows Miles Teg, a military commander entangled in the politics of the Bene Gesserit and others vying for control over the spice melange. However, the book is weighed down by uncomfortable and graphic elements, including disturbing depictions of pubescent characters, women using intimacy as a means of power, and a particularly unsettling scene involving the torture of a man.
I didn't like it, but it was better than God Emperor of Dune.
I didn't like it, but it was better than God Emperor of Dune.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
suneaters's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-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
3.25
I really did have fun, but Frank needed an editor that wasn't afraid to cut the fat and trim this book down. We read parallel stories of Sheeana and Duncan that converge in the end. I really liked Duncan this time around until he gets his memories back. You really felt for him, essentially locked up with only semblances of parental figures and never really know what's going on. I liked the characters and the character work here, especially Odrade and her relationship with Miles Teg and Taraza. And the latter two's relationship with each other. It all made for great drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Duncan Idaho, bodily 16, but with the memories of his adult self, has sex with Honored Matre Murbella, who is presumably above the age of majority. Consent is dubious. Lucilla, also an adult woman, plans to have sex with 16 year old Duncan Idaho, at a time when he does not have memories of his adult life, but this never occurs. Sheena, likely below the age of majority, receives "sexual education" from the Bene Gesserit. The Honored Matres are often referred to as "whores".sir_willyam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A return to some of the fundamental story telling in previous Dune books found in Messiah, and Children, Heretics is a lot more character-based than the philosophy-heavy slog that God Emperor sometimes felt like. Despite Arrakis being recognizable again, aspects of Frank Herbert’s story telling doesn’t. The inclusion of sex-driven plot was the single most disruptive part of the entire series, and is a big factor in why I DNF the last book in the series, Chapterhouse: Dune.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, and War
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug use, and Kidnapping
carrionkid's review against another edition
3.5
This was significantly better than God Emperor of Dune and the plot was compelling, full of twists and turns. The characters were interesting and I appreciate finally having some women in the spotlight as major characters. However it full dropped from a 4 star book to a 3.5 star book with the sexual assault scenes at the end and it was WAY more weird about sex than it had any right to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence