Rating: 
Summary: Builds momentum, but leaves you unsatisfied.
Review: (This was the first Herbert novel I had ever read. So, in writing this review, know that I took the book for what it was and that I am not making any comparisons with his "Dune" series.)His presentation at the beginning reads like many sci-fi novels: assigning labels to various groups, depicting society as a regimented perversion of control via technology, addressing some sort of ethical issue or issues (in this case, genetic engineering), etc. These devices tend to work for sci-fi and create a sort of natural appeal by tapping in to the subtle emotions anyone feels who has ever felt that society was attempting to "regulate" them in some way. Add to these devices some half-way decent character development and you have yet another sci-fi novel hot off the press and ready for mass consumption. Herbert fulfills his role by providing such character development but fails in his wrap up of events. Typical sci-fi endings are either preceded with some sort of major plot twist (like Ender's Game) or conclude with the protagonist(s) evoking some sort of mass "awareness" by removing a social illusion that has preserved control in the past for the current ruling body, class, or person in power. Without giving away the ending, this novel concludes in a way that does not translate into emotional sense. The events surrounding the conclusion are hinted at as the story progresses but that does not make up for the fact that they are not congruent with the way certain characters (or groups of characters) are portrayed during the journey. Rather, it is almost as if Herbert worked on this story as a side project, grew tired of it, wanted to end it simply to be done with it, and did so without concern for providing any pay-off for the reader. Further, typical sci-fi novels have some sort of "point" or agenda they are attempting to address by raising ethical issues of any kind (the various Star Trek series have made their living on this). Thus, when an ethical issues is raised, one comes to expect that the author will attempt to persuade the reader towards a certain viewpoint. In such cases, appreciation of the story tends to depend on the relevence or the power of the argument made regardless of whether or not you happen to agree with the premise. This is not so with this story. It does attempt to portray attempts to control nature on a basic level as having negative consequences but the ending does not successfully resolve the issue. Thus, one feels somewhat cheated for having invested time in hopes of coming to a satisfying conclusion. Overall it builds some momentum and you do find yourself investing some emotion in the main characters but ultimately it leaves you feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
Rating:
Summary: Builds momentum, but leaves you unsatisfied.
Review: (This was the first Herbert novel I had ever read. So, in writing this review, know that I took the book for what it was and that I am not making any comparisons with his "Dune" series.) His presentation at the beginning reads like many sci-fi novels: assigning labels to various groups, depicting society as a regimented perversion of control via technology, addressing some sort of ethical issue or issues (in this case, genetic engineering), etc. These devices tend to work for sci-fi and create a sort of natural appeal by tapping in to the subtle emotions anyone feels who has ever felt that society was attempting to "regulate" them in some way. Add to these devices some half-way decent character development and you have yet another sci-fi novel hot off the press and ready for mass consumption. Herbert fulfills his role by providing such character development but fails in his wrap up of events. Typical sci-fi endings are either preceded with some sort of major plot twist (like Ender's Game) or conclude with the protagonist(s) evoking some sort of mass "awareness" by removing a social illusion that has preserved control in the past for the current ruling body, class, or person in power. Without giving away the ending, this novel concludes in a way that does not translate into emotional sense. The events surrounding the conclusion are hinted at as the story progresses but that does not make up for the fact that they are not congruent with the way certain characters (or groups of characters) are portrayed during the journey. Rather, it is almost as if Herbert worked on this story as a side project, grew tired of it, wanted to end it simply to be done with it, and did so without concern for providing any pay-off for the reader. Further, typical sci-fi novels have some sort of "point" or agenda they are attempting to address by raising ethical issues of any kind (the various Star Trek series have made their living on this). Thus, when an ethical issues is raised, one comes to expect that the author will attempt to persuade the reader towards a certain viewpoint. In such cases, appreciation of the story tends to depend on the relevence or the power of the argument made regardless of whether or not you happen to agree with the premise. This is not so with this story. It does attempt to portray attempts to control nature on a basic level as having negative consequences but the ending does not successfully resolve the issue. Thus, one feels somewhat cheated for having invested time in hopes of coming to a satisfying conclusion. Overall it builds some momentum and you do find yourself investing some emotion in the main characters but ultimately it leaves you feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
Rating: 
Summary: No Dune , but has it's adventages.
Review: A book about immortality , made possible by genetic engineering. Herbert has a few interesting points to say on the matter of what would immortality do to a man. not a masterpiece , but still worth a read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great writing, however, not much depth or elaboration.
Review: Having already read the original dune series, I've seen how his writing matured (It began good) and this short novel is written in the exciting style of the first dune book. Some of the themes that were prevalent in his later dune books can be seen here in primative form; Like manipulated genetics and a creation of a seemingly optimum human like the great worm (although flaws do show later and lead to their demise). Also, his literal style of conveying the character's thought processes like in dune is present here. Most of the character are well developed considering the length of the book. Some of the characters' even use secret subtle hand movements to commicate quite effectivley like the bene geserate. These are the things that I was comfortable with. There are only so many themes and I believe that it is not WHAT the writer is writing about as much as HOW he writes it. I reprove the arguements about the book's hackneyed BNW theme because its a different world, different society with different characters and ultimatly - a different story. On to the disappointments. He never expounded at all on the unexplained influence that produced a potential optiman. This was admittedly annoying - as in the last dune book before he could finish the series he hinted at the two old people in the garden of duncan's dreams that somehow influenced the universe.
Ok one less star for that. The ending - hmmm, very odd and not too satisfying. The last 20 pages I was wondering if there was a second book that continued the story because of where he was going. At the climax it went 90 degrees in the down direction as if he chose an ending out of a hat because he was interested in something else - maybe a similar theme he could use in another book. Subtract star here. All in all, I would still recommend reading it because its just fun most of the time and a quick read.
Rating: 
Summary: Aborted Brave New World
Review: I was not impressed. I am a huge Frank Herbert Fan, rapid even. I have been reading some of his lesser known work and this one was not all i had expected. It was decent over all but do not think that it is really fleshed out. It seems to be like an aborted Brave New World. The ideas are not fully explored and the ending left a bad taste in my mouth. I would not recommend anyone reading this. If you want some good Frank Herbert books other than the Dune Series try...Hellstorm's Hive and Direct Descent.
Rating:
Summary: De ja vouz
Review: In the far future, , only genetically engineered humans are allowed to exist. They are concieved and carried outside their mothers, then they are divided into classes according to their genetic characteristics. Thus, their education, type of work, and future mates are all determined by the state.
The dominant class of immortals (Optimen), who are supposed to be guiding the human race, are instead abusing their power, and limiting human reproduction and mixing. As a result, several underground movements collaborate to overthrow the optimen (Brave New World, anyone??).
This novel feels like a sequel Huxley might have written. It lacks originality, new ideas and has no surprises. It is to be read only when one has read all the good ones.
Rating:
Summary: Grim vision of genetic engineering by the author of Dune
Review: This book takes place in the distant future, tens of thousands of years from now. It is a grim look at a world shaped by genetic engineering which is run by the Optimen, sterile humans whose genetic makeup supposedly allows them to live forever though pharmacology. Even "meres"--"normal" humans live for hundreds of years, so to control the population various things such as contraceptive gas are used, and breeding is strictly controlled. Against the regime of the Optimen are the Cyborgs and a group of humans supporting natural birth, and a mysterious outside force--could it be Nature itself, or perhaps God? One of the major resolutions smacks of a Greek Deus ex machina, and the very ending stuck me as pretty horrifying, but Herbert didn't really explore the ethical consequences of his "solution." However, it was a pretty good, albeit quick read--it's a slim volume. Worth a look if you run across it, not really worth going out on a hunt for.
Rating:
Summary: Grim vision of genetic engineering by the author of Dune
Review: This book takes place in the distant future, tens of thousands of years from now. It is a grim look at a world shaped by genetic engineering which is run by the Optimen, sterile humans whose genetic makeup supposedly allows them to live forever though pharmacology. Even "meres"--"normal" humans live for hundreds of years, so to control the population various things such as contraceptive gas are used, and breeding is strictly controlled. Against the regime of the Optimen are the Cyborgs and a group of humans supporting natural birth, and a mysterious outside force--could it be Nature itself, or perhaps God? One of the major resolutions smacks of a Greek Deus ex machina, and the very ending stuck me as pretty horrifying, but Herbert didn't really explore the ethical consequences of his "solution." However, it was a pretty good, albeit quick read--it's a slim volume. Worth a look if you run across it, not really worth going out on a hunt for.
Rating:
Summary: A good read for Herbert fans
Review: This book was a good read for me, but was not without flaws. The most enjoyable aspect was the conflicted characters, their dialog and their ability to change. The tale is short, so not all interesting ideas are explored, and the ending was not overly satisfying for me. One particular mystery, the "outside influence", was discarded pretty quickly in a single brief quote by a character, and I'd rather it have been a more interesting revelation.
Rating:
Summary: WANT A PRFECT BABY?
Review: What with the stem cell-cloning debate raging Herbert's (1965) EYES OF HEISENBERG might find some new readers. Interesting that it took but 40 years for the author's old material to hit our front pages. Now that genetics is catching up with Frank's tale we should give him credit for what he got right. Exogenesis (growing embryos in a vat) could be right around the corner. Certainly there is much talk of modifying the morula (those first dozen or so germinated cells) while it still lies fertilized and growing in the petri dish. Herbert lists a dozen enzymes used by his genetic engineers to cut the DNA-RNA in a proper fashion. This is all standard practice today. The long living masters, the Optimen, in this tale, set millenniums in the future, have conditioned their genetic engineers to kill any embryo who may be immune to death. This is to maintain absolute control over their subjects, the Folk. Two of their subjects, the Durants, are a couple who are given the precious right to reproduce (to allow their sperm and egg to unite in a vat). But when their geneticist, Potter, sees a new mutation in his microscope, one that would produce immunity to death, he refuses to follow the Optimen rule. He says, 'I cannot kill it. It is too beautiful.' What Potter sees in the Durant embryo is one who could father a new race of long livers outside the Optimen's control--the perfect baby. The origin of the flash of mutating energy is left to the reader's imagination. Where Herbert must get the real credit is for reinforcing the role evolution has played in the development of mankind. Unlike today's neurophysiologists and geneticists who see the brain as a bag of neurons and the genome as a twisted loop of genes, Herbert presented the Durant morula, as floating in the quantum sea of energy. It must be from the quantum jitters that all change in the species arises. The Optimen sought to eradicate Heisenberg's uncertainty and evolution from the species. This tale tells us that attempts to fool mother nature's plan for mutation & evolution are, indeed, foolhardy.
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