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Dean (6927 KP) rated Dune (2021) in Movies

Nov 11, 2021 (Updated Nov 11, 2021)  
Dune (2021)
Dune (2021)
2021 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Great visuals (1 more)
Very good ensemble cast
Very long (0 more)
Space Opera
I'm totally new to Dune, I know nothing of the book or the previous film. So I have nothing to compare it to it that sense.
It's visually stunning and on a grand scale, with many wide angle shots to to get a good effect of scale. The design, look and feel of the film, along with Zimmer's score are all quality.
Then to the story which feels like a mix of The Matrix, meets Game of Thrones with a Star Wars setting. For new comers like myself it might be difficult keeping track of who is in alliance with who, as a lot of various faction names appear. The political side of things doesn't get too bogged down though. I did expect bigger and longer action scenes for a film of this scale. What action you do see is very good and the SFX are great.

So to those who are new to Dune it might be a bit of a mixed bag but there is no doubting the quality overall. Roll on part 2.
  
<b>POV:</b> Multiple. <spoiler>Carter and Eliza (Lisa) are the main POVs, but we also have short passages in the POV of supporting characters. I'm not normally a fan of other POVs, but Bybee did well to keep them short and for plot progression.</spoiler>
<b>Descriptive Sex:</b> Yes. <spoiler>Not super descriptive, but there are steamy scenes.</spoiler>
<b>OW/OM:</b> No.
<b>Separation:</b> No.
<b>Content Warnings:</b> mention of rape and murder.
<b>★★★★</b>

I've been craving a hidden identity / witness protection romance, and this has satisfied that need. It's exactly what I wanted with the added bonus of marriage of convenience. There were one or two parts that I skimmed over because it was not of interest to me <spoiler>(particularly the political speeches and the scene with Agent Anderson, but that's really a me problem not a book one)</spoiler>, but Carter and Eliza are everything I want in a couple. The banter, the reassurances, and the trust. It was a pleasure to read.

This was my first time reading Bybee, but it will not be my last.
  
AT
A Test of Wills (Inspector Ian Rutledge, #1)
Charles Todd | 1996 | Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I Don’t Believe I Will Read More in This Series
Ian Rutledge has returned from the Great War, and is back at his old job at Scotland Yard. However, he is still dealing with the horrors of what he saw and did during his five years away. His first case back takes him to a small village that has asked for help after a beloved colonel was shot on his estate. Rutledge quickly realizes the political ramifications of the case, but can he figure out really happened?

I’ve heard about this series for a long time. I suspected it would be too dark for me, but I decided to try it anyway. Sadly, this is definitely darker than my normal choices. Rutledge and several other characters are dealing with some serious consequences of war. It’s realistic, but dark. On the other hand, Rutledge is an interesting character, partially because of this darkness. Where the novel really fails is the plot. After a good start, it bogs down in the middle before giving us a whiplash climax. It is logical, but too abrupt. I’m glad I gave the series a try, but I doubt I will be back.
  
J(
Jilo ( Witching Savannah #4)
J.D. Horn | 2023
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
9 of 235
Kindle
Jilo ( Witching Savannah #4 )
By J.D. Horn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aged Mother Jilo is wise in the ways of magic...but once upon a time, she was just a girl.

1950s Georgia: King Cotton has fallen. Savannah is known as the "beautiful woman with a dirty face," its stately elegance faded by neglect, its soul withering from racial injustice and political corruption.

Young Jilo - fiercely independent, intelligent, and ambitious, but thwarted by Savannah's maddeningly genteel version of bigotry - finds herself forced to embrace a dark power that has pursued her family for generations, an ancient magic that may prove her salvation...or her undoing.


This was just what we needed! I love Jilo and it was so good to get her story and the back story of the Taylor’s too. This book was just creepy as hell in some parts and I’m referring to Poppy if you’ve read it the hairs on the back of my neck stood up! I’m sad to see this all wrapped up as the series was so good. I think I may have to start over.
  
The Deceiver: Tales of Kelnore (Royals #2)
The Deceiver: Tales of Kelnore (Royals #2)
Hannah E. Carey | 2026 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE DECEIVER is the second book in The Tales of Kelnore: Royals, and I would recommend you read The Princess first, if only to get an idea about Kelnore, its emperor, and his sons and daughters.

Once again, this story is told from multiple perspectives, and there are so many layers to it, it rivals Shrek's onion. While we go deeper into the lives, history, and current events of Kelnore, including political allies and enemies, please don't expect to have all the answers by the end of this book.

As always, Ms Carey takes us on an adventure, leading us to places we might not have gone by ourselves, and leaves us wondering just what will happen next! While I still love Pern Coen, I am loving the characters of Kelnore, even if I find it stifling, too.

A fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - Stories Worth Unearthing
Jul 2, 2026