Reviews tagging 'War'

Dune by Frank Herbert

160 reviews

randirush's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i did appreciate having seen the movie before reading this, as the book heavily focused on the world building and political aspects of the story rather than a lot of the action — the movie was a great introduction to the tale, whereas the book just gave everything more depth. none of that is necessarily a bad thing, however, part of me thinks the book could’ve been a bit more condensed in some areas. that being said, i still really enjoyed it and it was nice to get some of those more in-depth details! this book was obviously revolutionary within the sci-fi genre and i can definitely see why. anddd i just love jessica — a reverend MOTHER 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Violence

Minor: Grief, Murder, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Torture, Pedophilia, War, and Adult/minor relationship

lorraine19's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.75

I have to start out by saying this is the most unique book I've ever read. Everything - from characters, to plot, to the world - felt unique to this story and I really am at a loss trying to compare it to anything. The world building is just absolutely amazing and complex. Characters are deeply connected with the world and their histories. 

I went into this book expecting it to be slow and was very surprised by how fast paced it actually is. And despite the pace, it still ends feeling like the introduction to the story (because it basically is) and I can't say that upsets me. 

The only criticism I have is that there are some things that feel like they should've been major plot points that were just glossed over - again not an issue I was expecting from an almost 800pg book. 

Overall, I highly recommend if you are a fan of sci-fi, fictional politics, or religion. I will definitely be looking for the rest of the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War and Death

Moderate: Addiction, Incest, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, and Genocide

Religion, religious jihad, human breeding

chrispy_mac's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It's a classic. However, my spicy hot take is that the Villeneuve movies might be just as good (if not better??) than the source material. But this is coming from someone who DNF'd the book in 2019 and just finished it the whole way through after seeing Part 2 (2024).
Still definitely an interesting read, especially if you are a fan of classic sci-fi!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and War

Moderate: Child death

crimsonash606's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is such a beautiful blend of cultures and the in depth ecology of a planet that continually shocks you with the life within it. There's so much political intrigue and pondering human nature and how to do the most good, and it's one of the most complex and incredible things I've ever read. I highly recommend this to anyone with a stomach for a challenge.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, and War

Moderate: Blood, Child death, Alcohol, Addiction, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Medical content, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation

incandescent_ink's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Colonisation, Violence, Death of parent, Death, and Grief

mrgriffit's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This audiobook was really hit or miss for me. The ensemble cast was very good, but it was not clear to me when or why an actor would voice a character or when the main narrator would. As a result, certain characters came off as oafish in some scenes while chilling and calculating in others. 

On the whole, the book is a classic sci-fi story for a reason. The world is full and interesting and grand in scope. The actual story that our characters go through is strange at times, where people act contrary to how the say they want to act. 

And the most off-putting choice of the whole book is the two year time skip in the third act. It really didn’t add anything to the story other than having Alia be properly present and giving Paul a child that we don’t ever meet before he is killed off screen.

It was worth the read, but I’m not interested in returning to Arrakis any time soon.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Violence, War, and Murder

Moderate: Torture

Minor: Child death

jelliclejules's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical content, Drug use, and Murder

Moderate: Sexism, War, Colonisation, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Classism, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia

Minor: Pedophilia, Incest, Child death, and Trafficking

ms_sarah621's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Exactly what I was hoping for and expecting. It’s just such an intricate and interesting sci-fi. It’s a classic with so many ideas and elements that create this tense and powerful feel. Character development is fascinating and the setting is so well describing. Unique and just a classic of what great sci-fi is. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Child death, and War

Moderate: Death of parent and Colonisation

laura_nel13's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Slavery, Drug use, Child death, Classism, Violence, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Grief, Blood, Alcohol, Addiction, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

spooky_snoopy's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

A great reflection on the the endurance of the human spirit. There isn't a "good" hero, it feels like you're reading Paul losing himself and resign himself to his fate. I really liked how the chapters were laid out and how the storylines played off each other.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, War, and Death

Minor: Kidnapping, Suicide, Torture, and Misogyny