phane's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't write a review for the previous book because these 2 books felt like one larger book so I decided to just write it out here. Basically, for me, these 2 books were not Dune books. They were fan fiction written in the Dune universe in which all your favorite characters from the previous books are all mashed together (minus some minor stuff like their personalities) and put against a generic foe in order to achieve a Hollywood cliche ending. Basically it was the ending of the Mass Effect series all over.
I won't consider these books true Dune books since they lack the soul, the cleverness and the profound lessons and philosophic subjects that the original books did. Instead they are just a patch-job that tries to give readers closure. You can tell that some of Frank Herbert's ideas are in this book, but they are poorly implemented and just seem to be used as cheap plot devices.
On the good side, they were pretty easy to read, had plenty of action and they offer some kind of ending if you want to accept it as such.
In conclusion, if you expect to see your favorite Dune characters kicking ass, intricate plots, amazing character development and a proper finale to this amazing series, than you've come to the wrong place. As I've said, these 2 books for me feel more like fan fiction and I refuse to see them as canon.
I won't consider these books true Dune books since they lack the soul, the cleverness and the profound lessons and philosophic subjects that the original books did. Instead they are just a patch-job that tries to give readers closure. You can tell that some of Frank Herbert's ideas are in this book, but they are poorly implemented and just seem to be used as cheap plot devices.
On the good side, they were pretty easy to read, had plenty of action and they offer some kind of ending if you want to accept it as such.
In conclusion, if you expect to see your favorite Dune characters kicking ass, intricate plots, amazing character development and a proper finale to this amazing series, than you've come to the wrong place. As I've said, these 2 books for me feel more like fan fiction and I refuse to see them as canon.
marcopoloreads's review against another edition
2.0
I did it. I finally finished this book series.
You may asking, why did you read this series when you've been warned multiple times it only gets worse?
To that I would say: because I was curious to see how this book series ended.
Now you may be asking: was it worth it?
To that I would say: hell no.
First of all, I'd like to say that Brian Herbert did a great job ending this series. According to Brian Herbert, the last two books in the series are based on an outline Frank Herbert wrote before he died, and I believe him. The ending of this book just makes sense and fits well with the rest of the series. Brian Herbert did justice to this series.
With that being said, that doesn't change the fact that this book is straight up not good. The plot is absolutely ridiculous and cheesy and I can't help but feel disappointed because this series could have been amazing. I wish Frank Herbert change the course of this series after his 4th book GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, because maybe then it could have been decent. This series should have stopped after the 3rd book and I stand by that.
You may asking, why did you read this series when you've been warned multiple times it only gets worse?
To that I would say: because I was curious to see how this book series ended.
Now you may be asking: was it worth it?
To that I would say: hell no.
First of all, I'd like to say that Brian Herbert did a great job ending this series. According to Brian Herbert, the last two books in the series are based on an outline Frank Herbert wrote before he died, and I believe him. The ending of this book just makes sense and fits well with the rest of the series. Brian Herbert did justice to this series.
With that being said, that doesn't change the fact that this book is straight up not good. The plot is absolutely ridiculous and cheesy and I can't help but feel disappointed because this series could have been amazing. I wish Frank Herbert change the course of this series after his 4th book GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, because maybe then it could have been decent. This series should have stopped after the 3rd book and I stand by that.
braedenm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
willmo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
trsclee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.0
wincher2031's review against another edition
3.0
After the brilliant build up of Hunters of Dune, this one unfortunately feels like a disappointing downslide to the end rather than an epic final flourish for the series.
The fan service is lots of fun and many of the returning characters' arcs are tied off with satisfying conclusions. However, the plot is bogged down by the expository ramblings of The Machine Crusade mixed with the over-convoluted pacing of Heretics of Dune.
Overall, Sandworms of Dune is a decent attempt at giving an unfinished legacy the ending it deserved but, ultimately, it's less than the sum of its parts.
The fan service is lots of fun and many of the returning characters' arcs are tied off with satisfying conclusions. However, the plot is bogged down by the expository ramblings of The Machine Crusade mixed with the over-convoluted pacing of Heretics of Dune.
Overall, Sandworms of Dune is a decent attempt at giving an unfinished legacy the ending it deserved but, ultimately, it's less than the sum of its parts.
heather_tethered's review against another edition
I couldn't find it in me to finish it out. Genuinely never been this disappointed in a novel, and I already had low expectations given the reputation. Oh well.
baxtercrabtree's review against another edition
3.0
By the time I got to these books, after being somewhat disaffected by the sheer amount of books that were prequeled, and pre-prequeled, I was tired. I wasn't sure I wanted to read anymore Dune, but the vertiginous cliffhanger in Chapterhouse compelled me to jump into them. After all, here was the actual conclusion based on the notes of the late author.
It was entertaining, a brisk and familiar read. The tone and style that of Anderson (and Herbert's son, Brian), so it had that characteristic, fantastical ooziness that old Herbert's books did not.
I'm not sure Herbert would have written this book, though. It's so tidy, and not that Herbert didn't keep his room clean, but his obsession with posterity meant there were always open questions, free-running threads of what-could-be. I feel like this was conclusory in a way that was different.
That's okay. That was the point. And it was entertaining to read, but I was tired. And then I was done. No fire was rekindled. I haven't read a Dune book since and that's okay by me.
It was entertaining, a brisk and familiar read. The tone and style that of Anderson (and Herbert's son, Brian), so it had that characteristic, fantastical ooziness that old Herbert's books did not.
I'm not sure Herbert would have written this book, though. It's so tidy, and not that Herbert didn't keep his room clean, but his obsession with posterity meant there were always open questions, free-running threads of what-could-be. I feel like this was conclusory in a way that was different.
That's okay. That was the point. And it was entertaining to read, but I was tired. And then I was done. No fire was rekindled. I haven't read a Dune book since and that's okay by me.