Mentats of Dune cover

Mentats of Dune

Schools of Dune • Book 2

4.19 ABR Score (8.3K ratings)
★ 3.97 Goodreads (5.6K) ★ 4.66 Audible (2.7K)
22h 14m Released 2014 Sci-Fi

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Twenty-two hours of faction warfare, and Scott Brick makes every scheming Harkonnen and fanatical Butlerian feel like a different person.

  • Great if you want: political maneuvering across rival factions in the Dune universe
  • Listening experience: dense and sprawling — rewards attention, not background listening
  • Narration: Brick's voice differentiation across a large cast is genuinely impressive
  • Skip if: you find expanded-universe Dune less satisfying than Frank Herbert's originals

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About This Audiobook

Set in the aftermath of humanity's victory over thinking machines, this epic chronicles the ideological battles that will shape civilization's destiny. As various factions emerge from the ashes of the Butlerian Jihad, each offers a different vision for humanity's future. Gilbertus Albans establishes his revolutionary Mentat School to teach human minds the computational abilities once monopolized by machines, while facing persecution from anti-technology zealots. Meanwhile, the nascent Sisterhood struggles to rebuild under Mother Superior Raquella's guidance, as ambitious student Valya Harkonnen harbors her own vengeful agenda against a legendary war hero.

Scott Brick's masterful narration elevates this complex political thriller through his nuanced character work and commanding presence. His ability to distinguish between the calculating Mentats, fanatical Butlerians, and scheming nobles creates an immersive soundscape where each faction's ideology resonates through vocal delivery. Brick's pacing allows listeners to absorb the intricate plot threads and philosophical debates that drive the narrative forward. The audio format particularly enhances the story's dialogue-heavy scenes and internal monologues, transforming abstract concepts about human evolution and technological progress into compelling personal dramas that unfold naturally through skilled vocal performance.