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hkuhlman7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Probably the weirdest book I’ve read. I was ready to call this my favorite Dune book through the first 2/3rds, but it went completely off the rails. The last 1/3rd is the most painful reading experience I’ve ever had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
limatau's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The book follows a bunch of people who spew homophobia, racism, and general sexism so fervently and constantly it is heart breaking. The toxic parts of the governmental features of the factions of Dune felt like flaws in a system that kept the world grounded. Turns out the author likes the fact that men and women are segregated in society, that humans can be thought of as tools, and that oppression is the best way to treat people as long as they stop fighting. These issues weren’t issues a god like figure could spend years fixing but actually were the best parts he would spend emphasizing. Luckily our main character is also homophobic so we get to deal with his weird ass outbursts too. Disappointing is and understatement.
Besides the terrible concepts the books deals with a reader is left very little to look for. A very boring plot consisting of a will they won’t they coup develops. The main pov character is Duncan Idaho who, when not being a homophobe, is mostly being setup to breed with a person he doesn’t really like and lectured to be Leto like a toddler. The other large pov character is Leto and these chapters are mostly just bad, high-minded musings that don’t feel interesting enough to grab you. Mostly he just talks about power and knowledge and how they relate to each other and people. Not that interesting things aren’t said it’s just that it’s all coming from a eugenicist/homophobe/dictator so it’s hard to latch on to anything. The most interesting character is so sidelined by the end of the book I can’t remember her name. Although maybe my hatred of Duncan and Leto is taking up too much space.
Also there is a scene when someone becomes very… ‘excited’ while simply watching someone climb a wall. This woman ‘explodes’ just from watching a man climb a cliff. I have never seen a male writer describe what that’s like from a woman’s perspective and I think I never want to again.
Bad book please don’t read
Besides the terrible concepts the books deals with a reader is left very little to look for. A very boring plot consisting of a will they won’t they coup develops. The main pov character is Duncan Idaho who, when not being a homophobe, is mostly being setup to breed with a person he doesn’t really like and lectured to be Leto like a toddler. The other large pov character is Leto and these chapters are mostly just bad, high-minded musings that don’t feel interesting enough to grab you. Mostly he just talks about power and knowledge and how they relate to each other and people. Not that interesting things aren’t said it’s just that it’s all coming from a eugenicist/homophobe/dictator so it’s hard to latch on to anything. The most interesting character is so sidelined by the end of the book I can’t remember her name. Although maybe my hatred of Duncan and Leto is taking up too much space.
Also there is a scene when someone becomes very… ‘excited’ while simply watching someone climb a wall. This woman ‘explodes’ just from watching a man climb a cliff. I have never seen a male writer describe what that’s like from a woman’s perspective and I think I never want to again.
Bad book please don’t read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
medea_jade's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dune is an amazing books and the subsequent books only get weirder and harder to read and follow. It’s a world I like to fall into but only a bit at a time. A chapter a night sort of thing. This was a slow book with lots of cryptic dialogue and bizarre worship. This is not a casual read. You’ve really got to want to read this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
tori_renee_reads's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Holy misogyny and homophobia Batman. I know old sci-fi doesn’t always age well, but none of the books in the Dune series have been like this. Also the plot was really boring and almost pointless. I guess it will help push the end of the series but I’m not in much hurry to finish after this. The first three are good but I’m worried the whole series will go down from here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
yustika's review against another edition
3.0
Such a fascinating read but minus 1 star for Herbert’s homophobic and sexist takes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexism
danielreader64's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
clayton_sanborn's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Never has an accelerationist manifesto been so beautifully written
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore, Homophobia, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence
dannilmp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
1.0
To be brutally honest? I think this book killed the vibe of the entire series for me. Not only are we now pushed forward with such a massive time gap that it feels as though the events of the first three books are so null and void, but now we have an even mopier Leto II in his brand new form.
It was hard to feel any connection to the characters as none of them were the ones we followed through the first books, only long long descendants of those characters. That and Leto II being one of my most disliked characters made it hard to find the want to follow and see how his story will end. I'm not entirely sure why I'll still read the last two books, most likely just to say that I've finished the series.
It was hard to feel any connection to the characters as none of them were the ones we followed through the first books, only long long descendants of those characters. That and Leto II being one of my most disliked characters made it hard to find the want to follow and see how his story will end. I'm not entirely sure why I'll still read the last two books, most likely just to say that I've finished the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
andrewbenesh1's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Incest
lstrydom25's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
Absolutely insane book. Horny worm… a bit of homophobia but also some really wise words and ways of thinking that are interesting overall… I did enjoy it but it took me ages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia