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bgavela's review against another edition
5.0
So much better than the first one, it’s really captivating.
__kell__'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
elena_gabriela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
wincher2031's review against another edition
4.0
One of the darkest Dune stories so far, this is a stark contrast against the more hopeful atmosphere of House Atreides. The Harkonnens' descent into deeper tyranny as the story progresses is a morbidly fascinating backstory behind the Atreides vs Harkonnen feud in the original novel, which I would love to reread knowing more about the conflict (especially Gurney Halleck's arc and his chemistry with Paul Atreides/Paul Muad'Dib). Not to mention characters I previously didn't care much about, like Dr. Yueh and Pieter de Vries, are much more fleshed out here.
There are times where it feels like a horror novel, more akin to Shaun Hutson than Frank Herbert, but it's these varied tones and styles that keep drawing me deeper into the expanded Duniverse. I like that the authors are trying something a little different with each entry, rather than more of the same.
Needless to say I'm looking forward to House Corrino.
There are times where it feels like a horror novel, more akin to Shaun Hutson than Frank Herbert, but it's these varied tones and styles that keep drawing me deeper into the expanded Duniverse. I like that the authors are trying something a little different with each entry, rather than more of the same.
Needless to say I'm looking forward to House Corrino.
stephen_on_a_jet_plane's review against another edition
4.0
These prequels are readable and scratch the itch for a casual dune fan. They lack the portentous prose of a Frank Herbert novel and the focussed plotting instead going for a miniseries style where the reader dips into the early lives of familiar characters. There are surprises and clever twists all to distract from the fact that we know where all this is going and that is welcome. A couple of subplots particularly with Hallick and the Baron’s benevolent brother which drew me in mostly because they’re likeable characters facing up against difficult challenges and making interesting choices. The universe of dune is a ruthless one and therefore it’s not a series for everyone but I feel quite satisfied with this particular trilogy because the story of feuding demagogs with he power of minor deities recalls classic Hollywood epics, real world history and the most memorable sci fi and fantasy series. I think the writers lean a bit heavily on fridging as a plot device which means you could sometimes have skipped the book and just assumed correctly why josh brolin was so angry in that movie but the female characters for the most part have agency and are as important in moving the political landscape forward in the Duniverse. Good airport reads/listens and indeed I got through big chunks of the first two volumes of the prelude to Dune trilogy in Hamburg airport. Somewhat guilty to admit I found them more engaging than the main series.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
3.0
This is the middle book. If you read the first book, and you want to read the last book, you have to go through this book.
schmaxi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
amgalvin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I looooved this! Really getting into the lore of Dune now, makes me want to start all over again!
craftingrama's review against another edition
4.0
The narrator isn't half bad but the redundancy of the book almost drove me nuts. I could have used a whole lot less of the repeated explanation details like a couple of chapters less. Other then that its not bad just not quite up to the level of Frank Herberts Dune book I'm afraid but still worth listening to while I crochet