Ok story, but very flawed.

Overall, this is a decent book but is in no way is up to the level of Frank Herbert. The novel is entertaining and it was worth reading to see how the story plays out. Especially since the previous novel was left on a complete cliff hanger and nothing was resolved. It's worth a listen if you are a hardcore dune fan, but be prepared for a long slog (23 hours). If you aren't a major Dune fan or seriously invested after the previous novel pass on this one.

Not to nerd out, but I did have some problems with factual inconsistancies in the story, for example, Dortea finds out information about herself from genetic memory despite the fact that it occurred after a point at which it would have been in her genetic memory from mom or grandma.

Plus, the level of cunning and intelligence just isn't there for the characters. The story is chock full of points where you go , man that is just stupid. I could give quite a few examples but I don't want to spoil anything. Still I am invested enough from the previous book to carry on. This is defintiely a step backward from the quality of books in the machine crusade series.

The pacing is slow.. Glacier slow.. I've had to put this one down and come back several times. The novel is also very repetative, repeating the same facts about the characters over and over again almost like the authors were padding the book to make it longer. It is decently written but I don't know if I will be willing to continue on with the series after this one. Still if you liked the first novel you will get closure on most major issues.

17 people found this helpful

Too much repeat not enough original meterial

Any additional comments?

I wish the authors of this book would stop repeating the same material over and over again. Every time you read about Vorian Atreides I am tired of hearing about how he regrets the events that caused the downfall of house Harkonnen. I am tired of every time we hear about Valya Harkonnen and how she wants to cause Vorian harm because of things he never did. This go on and on with other charters as well. I just want the story to move along. I don't need you to explore every possibility of every charter in the book every time you bring them up. Cut the book down by a forth to a half and it would be a 5 star book. I love the history in the book but I just half to wade through a lot of unneeded info to get to it. Please in your next book more story and less filler.

8 people found this helpful

well read.

Scott brick does an amazing job reading. He breaths life into the characters. the overall story is good. Nothing fantastic, but an appropriate continuation of the series. once again, the reader brings such a life into the story making the characters tangable. I want more.

2 people found this helpful

Those Humans Never Learn!

I'm a longtime fan of the Dune series and even though I have started with the House trilogy (written by Kevin J Anderson & Brian Herbert) I have read the original Dune books (many, many times) and I continue to read/listen to new books as they come available.

Mentats of Dune follows Sisterhood of Dune, and the mayhem that is flooding the new empire until the rule of Salvatore Corrino. He ordered the Sisterhood to disband and now they are split into two factions, the Harkonnens are still trying to unleash their fury at the Atreides and at the Mentat school, the headmaster is holding onto a very dangerous secret. There is a lot going on and forever Arrakis stays the same as Venport Holdings retrieve the spice and have their expanded fleet travel across the Empire.

This is not the original Dune and I don't know if this is how Frank Herbert would've written it. I feel like even though humans never learn from their mistakes, I wonder if they would've made this many mistakes. It will be interesting to see how all of this unravels in Navigators of Dune.

The original Dune book is an amazing novel of political intrigue and ecological debate. This new series tends to focus more on the houses and the schools and less on Arrakis. They are vastly different, with the same characters. While I like that Kevin J Anderson & Brian Herbert have continued on with the series, I will still love the original books more. Having said that I will continue to read/listen because I'm curious to see how it all plays out.

5 people found this helpful

Gotta have me some DUNE

Brian & Kevin have done immense justice to Franks stories. Very well written and true to the overall Dune saga.

1 person found this helpful

Another great tale in the Dune Universe

Scott Brick brings together another tale in the epic Sci Fi universe that is Dune. I love that he's been the voice for the entire series and he does it beautifully. These two novels have been just as enjoyable as The house series. I can't wait to finish the next book, Navigators of Dune.

Worth checking out?

I was hesitant getting into these novels because I'm such a huge fan of the originals. Although these have a different style, I found them unique and incredibly interesting in their own right. I love the characters, and I love the themes that often lead you to make your own conclusions without always being overtly lead in how to think of them. These authors have a great respect for the originals, and it shows.

good storyline

excellent foundational series for the characters of Dune well worth the read I highly recommend

repeat

Scott brick is perfect! I'm listening to this series during the pandemic and the leadership of Trump. it is sad to see that the human race never learns from mistakes. just make more. you would hope the future would be better. once you start this series it is hard to stop. if your a fan of terminator,matrix, star wars and all the others that are alike. READ THESE. you will not be disappointed. Great job Kevin and Brain this is like malange ( spelling?)

This is my favorite of the whole series.

All the Dune books are great, but this is my favorite. The drama and storyline are unpredictable and keeps my attention well.