Hunters of Dune (Sci Fi Essential Books) by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hunters of Dune (Sci Fi Essential Books)
Book Review: A good continuation
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good continuation of Frank Herbert's Dune series. However one is left with the distinct thought that it is not quite up to par with the rest of the original series. I enjoyed it and am very glad that the story will come to a conclusion.Book Review: A good entry that fans of the series will appreciate
Summary: 5 Stars
Fleeing CHAPTERHOUSE and the deadly Honored Matres, the darker side of the all female Bene Geserit, the vessel Ithaca sails into uncharted regions of the galaxy with a crew and led by Mother Commander Murabella and 150 mostly frightened exiles. At any point on this dangerous trek, the Mother Commander and her former love slave Duncan know that the known enemy could overtake them with death being the better option. Worse would be if the unknown invincible foe of who has the Honored Matres on the run catches up with the Ithaca. However, as the trek to safety continues Murabella finds some of her passengers have other plans for her and those accompanying her. She must unmask the enemy from within who has caused havoc with violence and murder on board.
At the same time, Murabella and company struggle to survive by using genetics to bring back long dead heroes, the Omnuis of the Synchronized Empire has managed to gain access to the Honored Matres from the inside; they plan to devastate the powerful sect. Also the Face Dancer plans to end man's reign with a race of machines taking over as the acme of sentient beings. Finally the unknown enemy intends to destroy everyone and everything. The galaxy is teetering on the eve of destruction.
Though somewhat overblown, the first Dune novel in two decades is a fun entry that fans of the series will appreciate as the galaxy is in trouble from conflicting factions. The story line is action-packed though somewhat complex and hard to follow as the galaxy is crowded with contenders. Still this is a fine entry that adds to the mythos while paying tribute to its tribute to its founding father as the scientific techno concerns involving genetic engineering that Frank Herbert voiced years ago seems so valid now.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: A great story, a long-awaited book
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems many reviewers here are quite upset that these two authors do not write like Frank, and tend to bash the newer books. I really have to disagree with them! I read both prequels, then re-read the whole original series in preparation for this. I have to say that I really, really enjoyed Hunters. This book is about the THE STORY, and the story is great. There are twists and turns and it's very hard to put down. For a Dune fan it is REQUIRED READING. It's written at about a 10th-11th grade level I'd say, which by the way is about where Lord of the Rings was written, so don't complain about it being "dumbed down".
Part of the difference these writers have with the original series is that in books 2-6 the storyline really took a backseat, and that is why most people I've met did not read them. (seriously, how many times have you met someone who says they only read the first book, or that they stopped in book 2 or 3?). In fact, sometimes it was often tedious to "have" to reread the series this year. Yes, Frank wrote in a way that made you think very hard, (sometimes VERY HARD) and you don't find that with Anderson and BH. To be honest, though, Frank wrote so that you COULDN'T understand. You were not supposed to know what they were talking about. Go back read some of those conversations and soliloquies (any book from Messiah to Chapterhouse)--they honestly don't make any sense. And I have two doctorate degrees and a long history of SF reading. Just because it sounds intellectual and makes you think, does that make a good story? Really? I'm not bashing Frank, I loved the books and it was amazing to be able to write that way. But don't bash these two new writers simply because they choose to actually write a cool story and make sense while doing so.
And don't be dissuaded by negative reviews from people who feel insulted if the general public might be able actually to sit through the book. This was a really fun read, and I'm dying to read the last one.
Book Review: A must for lovers of the Dune Universe and Frank Herberts original work
Summary: 4 Stars
Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson do an amazing job with their followup on the Dune series which ended with Frank Herbert's death. This being the first book following Chapterhouse By Frank Herbert, Brian and Kevin seem to take a little time to get their feet under them, but they provide good detail that helps to tie the book into the 2 prequel trilogies they have written (which are outstanding).Book Review: A sad conclusion to a great series
Summary: 2 Stars
I have read everything Dune that I can get my hands on. I read Frank's Saga 3 times in my life at age 12, 14, and 16, so I feel pretty confident that I know the storyline. I even read most of Brian Herberts books that were prequels to Dune, except for the Machine Crusade and the Battle of Corin (I just got BORED of the writing style).
With that out of the way, let me begin the review. I never expected Frank's son to write like his father, but I also didn't expect a such a shallow attempt to end the Saga. Everything was laid out in a matter of fact way with very little depth, or attempt to keep much hidden. Most of the novel is predictable, and the characters just feel undeveloped and 2 dimensional. I read this merely because of the word "DUNE" was written on the cover.
If you expect a page turner, based on an inner interest in finding out what happens to the skeletal portrayal of the characters that existed in in Dune: Chapterhouse, then read this novel.
I found the writing crude to say the least with only an average skill at writting in general. I wished it only used material from the the primary Dune novels, with allusions to what occured before, but sadly this book interweaves the prequels way too much for my taste, especially because the prequels were just like this book; a shallow book losely based on the Dune Universe.
Like some of the reviewers said, too much was introduced just for the coolness fact, and
There were a lot blatant inconsistencies also (warning: I will discuss the novel now) like :
The ghola of the Baron Harkonnen, when revived, had Alia's persona inside of him, which made no sense for too many reasons.
There were times of mind melding and memory transferring between women who never underwent the water of life transformation, like between Honored Matres and the Bene Gessuit.
I really think Frank Herbert's son should have sold the rights of Dune to someone with more talent at writting sci-fi, at least to do his father justice. This could have easily been done, with Brian getting the lions share of the profits, rather than having such a poor writer continue in his father's footsteps. The apple has surely fellan far from the tree with this book.
Hey Brian, I hope it was worth it to drag your fathers legacy through the dirt in order to line your pockets, because that can be the only reason why a publisher would release this book. If it didn't say Dune or Herbert on the cover this would have been published as a paperback book shelved in the young adult sections of bookstores (or not shelved at all).
I give it two stars only because, I was vaguely entertained. But that doesn't mean I won't return the book. I am not giving my money to this tripe.