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baxtercrabtree's review against another edition
3.0
By the time I got to these books, after being somewhat disaffected by the sheer amount of books that were prequeled, and pre-prequeled, I was tired. I wasn't sure I wanted to read anymore Dune, but the vertiginous cliffhanger in Chapterhouse compelled me to jump into them. After all, here was the actual conclusion based on the notes of the late author.
It was entertaining, a brisk and familiar read. The tone and style that of Anderson (and Herbert's son, Brian), so it had that characteristic, fantastical ooziness that old Herbert's books did not.
I'm not sure Herbert would have written this book, though. It's so tidy, and not that Herbert didn't keep his room clean, but his obsession with posterity meant there were always open questions, free-running threads of what-could-be. I feel like this was conclusory in a way that was different.
That's okay. That was the point. And it was entertaining to read, but I was tired. And then I was done. No fire was rekindled. I haven't read a Dune book since and that's okay by me.
It was entertaining, a brisk and familiar read. The tone and style that of Anderson (and Herbert's son, Brian), so it had that characteristic, fantastical ooziness that old Herbert's books did not.
I'm not sure Herbert would have written this book, though. It's so tidy, and not that Herbert didn't keep his room clean, but his obsession with posterity meant there were always open questions, free-running threads of what-could-be. I feel like this was conclusory in a way that was different.
That's okay. That was the point. And it was entertaining to read, but I was tired. And then I was done. No fire was rekindled. I haven't read a Dune book since and that's okay by me.
galax003's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
burialshroud's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jvanwago's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
The first half of this book moved very slowly, only picking up in the last third. The pacing seemed a bit off. In addition, plot holes abounded which kept me from total immersion in the story. I do appreciate, however, that Brian Herbert’s writing is clearer than Frank’s and far less mystical and confusing (although Brian’s books could benefit from Frank’s elevated prose).
I realize that creating a satisfactory conclusion to the Dune universe was a daunting challenge. Ultimately, I was not satisfied, but I sympathize with the authors.
I did not find the elevation of a benevolent dictator as the heartwarming end that I think the authors intended. I am rather fond of agency and civil liberties.
I also found it silly that the culmination of the Dune universe was the harmonious reconciliation of artificial intelligence and humans. The first six books barely broached the subject. It would have been more congruent to end the series in a more human-grounded philosophical approach (although Frank’s pseudo-philosophical babbling was often excessive).
I realize that creating a satisfactory conclusion to the Dune universe was a daunting challenge. Ultimately, I was not satisfied, but I sympathize with the authors.
I also found it silly that the culmination of the Dune universe was the harmonious reconciliation of artificial intelligence and humans. The first six books barely broached the subject. It would have been more congruent to end the series in a more human-grounded philosophical approach (although Frank’s pseudo-philosophical babbling was often excessive).
caffeineauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
areidjohnson's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
kingfan30's review against another edition
2.0
Finally at the end but I can’t say I enjoyed this one too much. It was nice to see the familiar characters and the round up of what happened to who, but I didn’t find it the easiest to follow, and Duncan dodging the nets felt very repetitive.
huntergoebel's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tarsel's review against another edition
4.0
Good but not great. Would be amazing if written by Frank and published in the 80s, but the pacing feels all wrong and there are too many plot holes and character inconsistencies for my liking
jobby's review against another edition
2.0
Rather disappointed with the end of the Dune saga. I've always felt that Brian Herbert's writing is nowhere near as good as his dad's. All of the characters had the same personality and it was very hard to care for any of them. The first two thirds of the book ramble on about their ineptitude without actually moving anything forward. Oh, and guess what? They all lived happily ever after!
I was much happier when I finished Chapterhouse Dune all those years ago and didn't have a clue who Daniel and Marty were.
Two good things came from reading this: a sense of closure and an urge to read the original Dune novels again.
Frank Herbert: we miss you!
I was much happier when I finished Chapterhouse Dune all those years ago and didn't have a clue who Daniel and Marty were.
Two good things came from reading this: a sense of closure and an urge to read the original Dune novels again.
Frank Herbert: we miss you!