Carter

Banks writes with a specific sophistication that oft leaves me wondering whether it is my fault or his that I do not fully understand his characters. I thought the reveal of the Chair and Chairmaker was insane, and the reveal that Cheri was instead Elethiomel was confusing. I don't think I ever fully understood our protagonist's motivations, and the end only sort of helped. Despite this, I think the novel's themes still were clear and powerful.

Another book with a very different feel from the first trilogy. I enjoyed the characters and intrigue in the first half of the book as the plan began to take shape and was set into motion, but I preferred the second half as the Honored Matres made their move and it became a race for all the pieces to fall into place. I was a little disappointed or confused at the reveal of the plan at the end, and am wondering if Chapterhouse will help.

Unlike anything else. Definitely a shift in style and tone from the previous trilogy. So much philosophy and thought bundled into Leto’s dialogue, worthy of several reads to fully understand. The way that Herbert managed to demonstrate the proof of the Golden Path’ necessity slowly throughout the plot rather than just outright say it is incredible. And the plot was just as intriguing as the others.

I felt a lot better about the pacing of this book compared to Heretics. I also think the ending was handled better, and the plans within plans felt more solid and follow-able than in Heretics. Although Herbert planned for a seventh and final book, I think this ending of several important characters and ideas going out in their own Scattering is very poignant, and it works. This also may be the fastest I read a Dune novel.

Another great advancement of the story of the Atreides and Arrakis. While Messiah had a different feel to it, this book was a return to form and matched the complexity, intrigue, and mystery of the first novel incredibly well. I think I liked this one even more than the first. Leto and Ghani’s story was super interesting and just as tragic as Paul’s, Alia made an amazing villain and Abomination was very well done.