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: Can Gholas Dream?
Summary: 2 Stars
If only Brian Herbert had a nullentropy tube in his own chest.
The last chapter of Chapterhouse indicates another supremely brilliant evolution of consciousness as envisioned by FH. The "thinning-out" of the ghola Duncan, the absorption of personas by evolved Face Dancers, the Ghola-mastery of the Tlielaxu, and the warring women of the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matres point to a Kralizec made of Kwisatz Haderachs. This is highly arguable, I realize, but the evidence is there: a thematic focus on the importance of immortality achieved through cellular memory spanning decades, centuries and millenniua. Marty and Daniel, while almost conspicuously representing the author and his wife (who I'm certain was reponsible for much creative content), are ostensibly the most "thinned out" or time-spanning being of the entire lot. Those characters in the no-ship seem as seeds of a new Human scattering; the gholas Teg and Duncan, the BG Reverend Mother Sheanna, the Jews with the hybridized Rebecca; Scytale, the last Tlielaxu Master, and his capsule of preserved ghola cells for history's most prominent figures along with the other masters of his race. These disparate individuals have the potential for an entirely new unfolding of humanity set in regions of space where only this no-ship, directed by the oddly-prescient, near-KW Duncan, can go. Meanwhile, the foundation of humanity is left to clear the mess of the Honored Matres, find the identity of the Enemy (seeking machines as mentioned by Leto II?), and establish a galactic rebirth of the multiform human race. This mass of humanity would appear to be set to clash in the Typhoon Struggle with the Enemy while Marty, Daniel, and those in the no-ship would likely play the wildcard roles: a rogue group of Kwisatz Haderachs who contain in their genetic memories the death and rebirth of all that has ever been.
Of course, such was not the case with Hunters. Though my own imagination set a wishful plot upon its course, I would have liked to see some sort of intelligent fleshing out of FH's ideas from Chapterhouse. Instead, what I mostly read was a pedantic version of a simple plot where the only obvious and true FH revelation was the origins of the Honored Matres and the source of their hatred for men. This was pure FH: both surprising and cyclical, neat and unexpected at once. The rest of the novel, however, seemed trite, simplified, and written by those of far less talent than the original.
Regardless, this was a monumental task. Posthumous notes or otherwise, BH and KA have managed to write a reasonable continuation of the Dune saga. The basic ideas of FH are in there, even if they take a bit of diggin to find. And with the notable exception of the characters Daniel and Marty, I think the character lines were drawn out as well as could be expected, though I daresay FH would have displayed more of the incredible abilities of both Duncan and Teg. I also don't think a second sequel would have been necessary had FH been writing. BH and KA lack his ability to create dense, yet beautifully composed literature.
As for Daniel and Marty, if there was such a thing as an unforgivable sin in Dune, this was it. They are clearly Face Dancers at the end of Chapterhouse, and even if their new identities somehow don't affect the plot that much, their mystery and their purpose were supremely set up at the end of Chapterhouse. This was a lost opportunity.
Overall, it's a quick read and it was interesting to see the direction of FH's vision. But to compare it with the original is like comparing the ersatz fantasy parade to the original Lord of the Rings: pleasant, but ultimately unfulfilling.
Book Review: Can't wait for the next one!
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent read.
I can not wait for the next 2 books to come out.
Will be an excellent conclusion to the series.
Book Review: Completely out-of-place.
Summary: 2 Stars
I know it's pretty much impossible to write like Frank Herbert, and I didn't expect anything like that from Brian H and Kevin J. Anderson. But Hunters of Dune was just... jarring.
The characters lost all of thier depth. Duncan, Sheeana, Teg, and Murbella were all some of the most fascinating characters I have ever read about... in Chapterhouse, that is. In Hunters, they were mere shells of thier former selves. Duncan and Sheeana have a vomit-inducing love collision on the 'Ithaca' in an attempt to 'heal' Duncan of his feelings for Murbella. This is ridiculous, because I was under the imprerssion that Duncan and Murbella had pretty much acknowledged that they had drifted apart in the last pages of 'Chapterhouse.'
My biggest complaint, though, is that the Scattering was made FINITE. It is stated countless times in both Heritics and Chapterhouse that the Scattering is infinite, and that no single force could ever threaten humanity ever again. And Daniel and Marty are not Omnius and Erasmus. In the final part of Chapterhouse, Daniel and Marty talk about becoming independent of the Masters and absorbing personas. This clearly indicates that they are Tlielaxu Face Dancers, NOT thinking machines. Omnius was not mentioned once during the entire six original Dune books, and I found it odd that he came into play so suddenly.
I would not recommend this book. It does not fit in with Chapterhouse at all.
Book Review: Curiosity didn't kill the cat.
Summary: 3 Stars
This has been simply the most eagerly awaited volume in the writings of son Herbert and friend. The first trilogy they wrote was actually quite pleasant however the trilogy was a bit of a waste of time for any Dune fan. After six books it was quite clear that the new writers lacked the vision and quality that made Frank Herberts books so unique.
This book however was based upon the ideas and written bits by Frank himself, some of his vision has already been severely spoilered in the previous two trilogies. I must admit that this book can easily be considered the best of the output of the new writers, it left me wanting for the last installment of the series.
For anybody feeling cheated by Frank herberts death this book and its sequel will answer any question you got stuck with, and its a pretty decent read too.
Read the Frank H. Dune books and finish with these two and you'll be having a blast and get some brilliant Scifi. If you want more you can always read the House of... trilogy. And only if you are a glutton for punishment read the other trilogy.
I can't wait for august 2007 for the last release of the series.
And then one can only hope for a decent re-release of Franks books in hardcover to celebrate the Dune universe.
Book Review: Die hard Dune Fan
Summary: 5 Stars
For years i'm enjoy reading the Dune saga, the last book of it
is Chapterhouse, i was kind of confused when i finish that book,
Hunters of Dune fill all the gaps and explore an endless number
of scenarios, i'm waiting in suspense for the next book!!!