Mentats of Dune: Book Two of the Schools of Dune Trilogy (Dune, 9) Hardcover – March 11, 2014

Frank Herbert's original Dune novel was one of the Greatest of All Time science fiction novels. For this of us fascinated by this unique universe, we can't get enough of it and the prequels and sequels fill in a rich complex history. Although, of course, part of the wonder and awe of the first novels was that there was a deep mystery to many things, a history that remained undiscovered. That joy of mystery is somewhat abated as the stories get filled in. And the genius of the original Dune can never be matched.Keeping those things in mind, Mentats is still a fascinating read as the germs of what eventually became the power centers of the universe are set out. Eighty years after the final defeat of the thinking machines, the world is still consumed with the Butlerian anti-technology jihad, a mob empowered riotous force led by Manford, a legless prophet who is carried about by his own personal swordmaster. Arrayed against the Butlerians are the Venports who run what will become the Spacing Guild with a near monopoly on space transport and a monopoly on melange, the spice from Arrakis that the space navigators must consume to see through fold space and that billions more are addicted to. The Corrinos are in the Imperial Palace but playing a weak third compared to the Spacing Guild and the Butlerians. The Bene Gesserits are weak and divided, having recently been driven to Wallach IX. The mentat school, producing human computers, has few defenses and hides a terrible secret. And, of course, we see the millennium-long feud between the Atriedes and the Harkonens play out.This novel is about these divisions and animosities playing out as the characters maneuver themselves in the struggle for power and survival. It should be seen as more of a chapter in a longer story arc rather than a self contained climatic story. Designed for readers of the Dune universe, not so much newbies with no such experience.

I was satisfied with Mentats of Dune, just like I have been satisfied with the rest of the books Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have written to expand the Dune universe beyond what Frank Herbert left behind before finishing the final volume of what he intended to include in the original Dune saga.I enjoyed this book and Sisterhood of Dune before it, and I do find it kind of nice to experience the births of these individuals sects within the Imperium of Dune though I find myself a bit incredulous that these things would all be transpiring at essentially the same time. Suspension of disbelief is essential in fiction, and perhaps a bit more so with these supplemental Dune novels than with the ones Frank Herbert had published, and his included a character who melded himself with sandworm larva in order to become a giant worm himself...but at least Herbert wrote it in such a way that it felt internally consistent.My only real problem with Mentats of Dune is the same one I've had with the other volumes added by Herbert and Anderson, as authors and world builders they lack nuance and subtlety.The use of the name Quemada was a bit too on-the-head for me, regarding a character who served as an inquisititor specializing in torture. I actually almost gagged when reading anything pertaining to that character because it was just too bland and uninspired.This is a prime example of what is missing from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's Dune novels...subtlety. Frank Herbert had no shortage of subtlety or imagination and he planned narratives hundreds or maybe even thousands of pages ahead, allowing for slow burns and gradual revelations.No matter how well-detailed Frank's notes and backgrounds were (and everything I know of the man serves to reinforce the belief that he was intensely meticulous), the simple fact is that his neither his son nor Anderson are the caliber of author he was, and that makes their expansions on Frank's notes and outlines feel a bit more hollow than I wish they did.These are still good books and essential reading for any real fans of Dune, but they aren't great or awe inspiring in the way that Frank Herbert's novels were. His books created a universe that readers begged to know in greater depth and detail, and these supplemental novels are the Carnival cruise that takes us through there. It's a good time but it's just not as enjoyable as you hope it will be.

Continuing the story from Sisterhood of Dune the story rolls along nicely but is not quite as engaging. Focusing slightly more, as the Title suggests, on the Mentats but also the main antagonist Manford Torondo,who is, to my mind the less intersting players in the story.This feel like more of an installement than a stand alone book but does set thing up nicely for the conclusion in Navigators of Dune.

I'm a big fan of the "Dune" series and I'm happy that there is enough interest in the franchise to keep the series alive. In all honesty no novel is ever going to equal Frank Herbert's original design, although Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have done a pretty good job with their "Legends of Dune" trilogy and the "Prelude to Dune" trilogy. I had hoped that there would be more from the character of Vorian Atreides (the main protagonist of "Legends of Dune" and ancient ancestor to the main characters of Frank Herbert's "Dune" novels) but in this new series (known collectively as the "Schools of Dune" trilogy) he seems to be taking a bit of a back seat. But this entry into the series is not a bad novel, it just seems like it is an unnecessary part of the whole "Dune" mythology and will certainly only appeal to die-hard fans of "Dune".

I have to say that some of the latest versions of the Dune story have been a little repetitive and lacking in the excitement that the early books created. However, I enjoyed this book, which I believe is the penultimate, and I think it described some interesting events and people without being fixated too much by the original concepts and storyline.

As good as any of the originals. Very engaging without stretching one's credulity too much.Well and truly worth the money.

If you are a fan of the Dune series I would be surprised if you didn't get hooked by this new wave of books. They are written in a similar style to the originals and bring a whole new dimension to the Atreides/Harkonnen stories. Compelling characters and connected contexts - buy them all and get immersed!