Heretics of Dune (Dune Chronicles #5) by Frank Herbert

"A new (sort of) cast of characters is revealed but it's the same, familiar "plots within plots, schemes within schemes" line that Herbert loves. There's always a group of people out for personal gain and power. This novel at least had a semblance of a plot with twists and turns and wasn't a 600 page diatribe on prescience."

3 Stars

Pros: A new cast of characters (for the most part) and a storyline that actually has action/intrigue/twists instead of endless drivel about prescience.

Cons: With the changes after the death of Leto II, the Bene Gesserit has more or less become the absolute power and as always, they're up to their "breeding" games/The goals and such for the younger Ghola version of Duncan Idaho were just...unsettling at points. Lots of odd sexual things going on, unnerving.

Full Review:

Arrakis, now Rakis, has been reclaimed by the desert. A girl is there who sees a sandworm devour her entire town and in her anger she climbs atop the worm and starts beating it. The worm starts moving and she grabs the edge of a ridge, like the Fremen of old and rides the worm to the closest town, Keen. She is taken in by the Priests of the Divided God, Leto II and carefully observed. They take her out into the desert a number of times and call the worms and the worms never attack her. She seems to be able to control them. Her name is Sheeana, an obvious descendant of Siona and everyone knows there's something special about her.

On Giedi Prime, or Gammu, the 12th iteration of the most recent Duncan Idaho Ghola is being trained by the Bene Gesserit. He's curious about his birth parents and comes to understand that he's a Ghola, resurrected flesh. He starts to resent the Reverend Mother, Schwangyu, who oversees his teachings and it isn't until Miles Teg, a Bashar brought out of retirement at the request of the Supreme Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit, Tarazane, that something starts to form. It's obvious that the Bene Gesserit want this Duncan and the girl, Sheehana to mate.

There's also a rival group of rebels that call themselves Honored Matres, who are like the Bene Gesserit but aren't. They're people from the Scattering which happened during the Famine times after Leto II's death.

Plots within plots, schemes within schemes, other memories and new levels of consciousness, it's all the same. But at least in Heretics we have a semblance of plot, we have new characters (at least somewhat) who bring a bit of life to the story and we don't have to listen to the rambling of Leto II. I'm interested to see what Chapterhouse holds and to finally be done with this series.

Comments

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"A blithe and scathing commentary on equality, power, corruption and how everyone is created equal, but...some are more equal than others. Orwell hit the nail right on the head with this novel and it's no wonder it's a staple for most high school curriculums. " 3 Stars. Pros: Benjamin the Donkey is the smartest animal on the farm and it would have done all the others a world of good if they had listened to him in the first place. Cons: The fact that societies like this actually do exist is nauseating and terrible. It's not a con, per se, it's just a gut wrenching fact. Full Review: When the overworked and mistreated Animals on Manor Farm decide to rise up and overthrow their cruel master, they're successful. They rebel and now find themselves with an entire Farm to run. They rename it Animal Farm and are intent on creating a paradise, where work and play are equal, where productivity is key but relaxation is a must and all the lives of all the animal...

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

"When a scientist, Benes, who has integral and world changing information attempts to defect and join our Side, he's injured. A blood clot forms in his brain and the only way to save his life is to miniaturize the crew of the Proteus and inject them into Benes' body, so they can break up the blood clot from the inside. Of course, one thing after another goes wrong and every chapter is a new catastrophe but it was definitely a fantastic voyage. 2 Stars Pros: Grant is one dry character but he's a welcome bit of amusement in an otherwise serious and scientific novel. Cons: Grant is also SUCH a man that he spends most of the mission staring at saving the one woman board, Cora./Definitely ripe with anatomical lessons and what part of the body they were in. Since I've never been great at anatomy, a lot of it was lost on me and became burdensome near the end. Full Review: As in all things, there is a good side and a bad side. This book is very vague as...

A Swiftly Tilting Planet (Time Quintet #3) by Madeleine L’Engle

“The apocalypse is looming when a random South American Dictator threatens Nuclear War. Of course, Charles Wallace is the only one who can stop it! It's all tied into the descendants of Meg's mother in law, Mrs. O'Keefe, Calvin's mother. With the help of a Unicorn named Gudior, Charles Wallace is off to save the day. This was another head scratcher and I'm not holding out much hope that the series will start making sense." 2 Stars Pros Time travel, to me, is far less surreal than whatever was going on in #2. So this was an easier read. Cons: Megs constant questioning starts right on page 1, at least she’s consistent/I do love how Mr. Murry is on speed dial with the President/The various timelines got very confusing and all the Brans/Maddocs/Maddox/Gwens/Gwyns and the multiple Zillah and Zillies were extremely frustrating. I had no idea who I was reading about at the end. Full Review: Years have passed and all the Murry children have grown. Dennys and San...

All the Books.

Search This Blog