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aestro's review against another edition
3.0
I hold of reading Mentats of Dune for quite some time, trying to go through quite a list of books to read. I was then pretty excited to come back to the world of Dune and discover the genesis of the Mentats, Bene Gesserit and the Spicing Guild. This book, however, comes short in logics and character motivation.
First, the good. I enjoyed following the familiar characters and how they interacted to come and form the organisations that will be familiar in the original serie. The pace is good and the story is definitively a page turner, being a little annoyed when finishing a chapter and changing point of view character, since you want to know what will happen next.
Then, the bad. I could best describe this book has lazy. Most of the story depends on the characters acting in the most stupid way possible. I know that this is done to advance the storyline, but it could have been done in a less clumsy way. Nonsenses like this are present at every plot turns.
I would say that this book is enjoyable, but ultimately lazy and predictable.
First, the good. I enjoyed following the familiar characters and how they interacted to come and form the organisations that will be familiar in the original serie. The pace is good and the story is definitively a page turner, being a little annoyed when finishing a chapter and changing point of view character, since you want to know what will happen next.
Then, the bad. I could best describe this book has lazy. Most of the story depends on the characters acting in the most stupid way possible. I know that this is done to advance the storyline, but it could have been done in a less clumsy way.
Spoiler
For example, the Harkonnen hate of the Atreides is well established by the previous books, but nothing is done to explain why Tula and Valya hates them personally enough to plan an elaborate ruse in order to kill a random Atreide descendant, several time remove from Vorian. Instead of explaining their motivation, it is just assumed that they hate the Atreides because that is what Harkonnen does.I would say that this book is enjoyable, but ultimately lazy and predictable.
reasonpassion's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is stilted and goes over things in a descriptive to note the mindset of the characters that gets repetitious and annoying at times. However, this is the style of the authors not the theme of the book which is quite well kept throughout and eerily mimicking of the real world in far too many ways. Frank Herbert loved exploring the power of religion not as a thing itself but as a psychological phenomenon. Here that love is continued and the fascination leads into story telling both diabolical and full of warning. The world of Paul had a horrific start and this explains that in every detail.
makraemer's review against another edition
4.0
I'm enjoying this "Schools of Dune" series more and more. Looking forward to the next one in the series, coming out in September.
lostingothicmusic's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
wincher2031's review against another edition
3.0
The swamp setting is a nice change from the ever familiar aridity of Dune, but the biological minutiae of the wildlife there and research resulting in the discovery of Sapho juice holds little interest, especially when a large chunk of the first 100 pages focuses on this as opposed to building the main conflict of the novel. A conflict which ultimately falls flat in comparison to Sisterhood.
This is a quiet between the storms in the same way that Machine Crusade was, middle book syndrome strikes again. The between-chapter aphorisms are better than the plot in this one, with characters meandering endlessly and often without much purpose.
That being said, there's just enough thought-churning philosophy to be found in the murky swamp depths and ponderings of the Mentats to keep hardcore fans interested.
Generally speaking though, I'm sad to say this is one of the worst Dune books through the sheer lack of a substantial plot rather than the overbearing presence of an awful one.
This is a quiet between the storms in the same way that Machine Crusade was, middle book syndrome strikes again. The between-chapter aphorisms are better than the plot in this one, with characters meandering endlessly and often without much purpose.
That being said, there's just enough thought-churning philosophy to be found in the murky swamp depths and ponderings of the Mentats to keep hardcore fans interested.
Generally speaking though, I'm sad to say this is one of the worst Dune books through the sheer lack of a substantial plot rather than the overbearing presence of an awful one.
dankolar's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vayeate's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
So, the authors made one of the main characters so illogical or just simply incredibly dumb on purpose.
But it seems to be a wrong choice as it just soils the book and makes reading painful.
But it seems to be a wrong choice as it just soils the book and makes reading painful.
catsflipped's review against another edition
5.0
Finally these Dune prequels are starting to come together. All my previous reviews of the Duniverse books have commented on the amount of extra irrelevant story lines that do nothing but bloat an already oversized book. But not this one, Mentats of Dune is the first I have been glued to all the way through.
The first book of the Schools of Dune series sets the scene nicely, this book draws all the relevant parties closer together in the fight which will mean a new renaissance for the human race or another dark ages.
Will the incompetance of the Emperor Salvador Corrino allow the fanatical Butlerian leader Manford destroy all progress or will the levelled headed Gilbertus Albans, Mentat headmaster make all the right decisions?
Will the blood feud fuelled by Valya Harkonnen against Vorian Atreides bring both families down?
Will Valya also recognise her desire to change the sisterhood to further her own cause and become one of the most powerful people in the known universe?
Will the determination of Josef Venport result in catastophe or a chance for all humanity to find its way.
A favourite will be lost along the way and your hopes for the outcome will take twists and turns as victory seems imminent only to be snatched away over and over.
The answers to some of your question are found in this book but for some you will need to keep reading, the final book of the Schools of Dune series has been set up to be one of the best yet and I look forward to moving on through my Dune marathon.
The first book of the Schools of Dune series sets the scene nicely, this book draws all the relevant parties closer together in the fight which will mean a new renaissance for the human race or another dark ages.
Will the incompetance of the Emperor Salvador Corrino allow the fanatical Butlerian leader Manford destroy all progress or will the levelled headed Gilbertus Albans, Mentat headmaster make all the right decisions?
Will the blood feud fuelled by Valya Harkonnen against Vorian Atreides bring both families down?
Will Valya also recognise her desire to change the sisterhood to further her own cause and become one of the most powerful people in the known universe?
Will the determination of Josef Venport result in catastophe or a chance for all humanity to find its way.
A favourite will be lost along the way and your hopes for the outcome will take twists and turns as victory seems imminent only to be snatched away over and over.
The answers to some of your question are found in this book but for some you will need to keep reading, the final book of the Schools of Dune series has been set up to be one of the best yet and I look forward to moving on through my Dune marathon.
scarletcarnival's review against another edition
4.0
I took quite a bit longer to read Mentats of Dune than I have any of the previous novels. Life just gets in the way sometimes.
Mentats of Dune continues to the story from the excellent beginnings in Sisterhood of Dune. Where the previous novel began the amazing journey through many of the most familiar schools of Dune this book seemed to focus narrowly on the struggle between science and religion.
Overall, it was well written, though I would have liked to see the story itself move forward a bit more than it did. It seemed like a whole lot of back and forth between Venport and Torondo with the Sisterhood and the Mentats caught in-between.
While not overly impressed with this installment, I look forward to the next book to see how all this concludes.
Mentats of Dune continues to the story from the excellent beginnings in Sisterhood of Dune. Where the previous novel began the amazing journey through many of the most familiar schools of Dune this book seemed to focus narrowly on the struggle between science and religion.
Overall, it was well written, though I would have liked to see the story itself move forward a bit more than it did. It seemed like a whole lot of back and forth between Venport and Torondo with the Sisterhood and the Mentats caught in-between.
While not overly impressed with this installment, I look forward to the next book to see how all this concludes.
utbw42's review against another edition
4.0
As readable as previous Herbert/Anderson conglomerations, this entry once again makes me wonder how many tales this duo can wring from papa's glorious Duniverse. While there are many diehards who continually pick up each new story and rip it to shreds, I really enjoy each new book. I found the descriptions of the trials that the Sisterhood and the Mentats (led by Mother Raquella and Gilbertus Albans, respectively) endured and had to overcome just to survive very enjoyable. How Directeur Venport had to fight the anti-technology zealot Torondo, and ultimately the Emperor himself, just to preserve his spice-gathering operations on Arrakis made for great story telling. My only criticism is the role of Vor Atriedes, who, while he had a tie in with the evil Sister Valya Harkkonen, was somewhat underused and underdeveloped within the context of this particular story. I can only assume here that the authors are relying on previous material to flesh out Atriedes here, a la Robert Jordan.