Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hunters of Dune
Book Review: Frank Herbert's Dune would have been honored far more with no continuation
Summary: 1 Stars
*SPOILERS are included in this review*
By recommendation from a friend, I sat down at read this book though I had zero expectations (after tromping through all of the Bulterian Jihad trilogy). Unfortunately, this novel is by far the worst BH/JKA material out there--except for the next in the series. My problems:
1.) All old characters from Frank Herbert and BH/JKA novels are resurrected because they couldn't think of anything else to do. They're also all flat, undeveloped, and thrown out as if necessary to get the plot rolling. I guess they thought old friend Atreides were quick fixes.
2.) There is absolutely no deep philosophical reading in this. Okay, Frank Herbert's novels after God Emperor were a little tedious with philosophy, but you can't have a Dune book without some universal truths being discussed in religion, politics, life, etc. There would at least be some meat in the book.
3.) The writing style was horrible. It was stilted, stiff, and flat. If this book went through the reading systems, it would probably crank out at 4th-5th grade level language-wise.
4.) No plot. No plot. No plot. People talk, some things happen, but there's no plot. Okay, so we get to meet our great adversaries finally, but when I realized who they were, I was floored by how horribly predictable it turned out to be and BH/KJA's audacity to incorporate those characters as antagonists.
5.) Everything else that was wrong. Which was a lot. Really.
There is only one highlight in this novel, and it's a Leto II/worm reference. I actually smiled when I read it.
If you loved Frank Herbert's Dune series, don't pick this up. It'll put a bad taste in your mouth. If you aren't a big Dune fanatic, you probably won't want to read this anyway because Frank Herbert's implied attachment to the novel is its only selling point.
Book Review: Gholas (we're all)
Summary: 2 Stars
This was a very challenging project for the duo that has been churning out Dune books annually for the past 6 years (Paul of Dune expected this year)...and it shows. After reading this, I can't believe that Anderson came to the conclusion that Dune 7 would be 1300 pages. While I enjoyed the first 75% of this book, well aware that the writing (even with 2 guys) wasn't up to par with Frank's, I gave these guys a chance. There is so much repetitive and superfluous detail, cookie cutter conversations, and cheesiness that I have to wonder why Anderson was asked to assist in this project. Is Kevin J. Anderson the Michael Bolton or Kenny G of science fiction? Was Ursula K LeGuin unavailable? You know if it says DUNE on the front cover it's going to be a bestseller -- why him? Truth be told, Chapterhouse was a trainwreck compared to its predecessors, thereby making it even harder to write the follow up. I think these guys should've shunned deadlines and made the best single novel they could. Let me do some thinking, please! I don't want to be spoonfed Dune. You can get away with cheesy stuff like this with star wars fans, but the original Dune novels were very well thought out and deserve better. Two generous stars for two writers who know better.Book Review: Good, but not Frank
Summary: 3 Stars
As a huge fan of the Dune trilogy, I admit I was thrilled to learn there were new additions to this masterful series on the way. Sadly, this book did not quite live up to my expectations.
To sum up, the story picks up where Frank Herbert left off. Duncan Idaho and company are wandering the universe in the stolen no-ship. The Benne Gesserit and the Honored Matres are slowly being merged into a single entity. The mysterious old man and woman who appeared at the very end of the original books are revealed. And there are so many twists and turns that it will make your head spin. Therein lay the problem.
This book is an exhaustive read. So crammed full of events and characters, it becomes hard to follow. To say as much as possible while giving as little as possible away, by the end of the book there are at least five kiwsatz haderach's running around. Leading up to that alone leaves the reader overwhelmed by the story. And, I must admit to being rather disappointed with the plot element torn right from the series finale of Seinfeld, in which Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson scramble to resurrect as many of the past characters who have been long since forgotten by the time this story is set.
The greatest drawback, however, is that Brian Herbert's writing style is simply not up to par with that of his father. In his original novels, Frank Herbert portrayed perfectly the overwhelming power of religious fantacism, the complexity of politics, and the driving motivation that gives the human race its greatest triumphs and worst failures. Brian Herbert, however, simply tells us the story rather than preaching it to us. He does not give us a real sense of the mythology of Mau'Dib and his son. He does not create the mystique of the inner plotting between the various factions. And he practically lowers the all important spice melange to a secondary plot element.
Overall, not a bad book. But simply not on par with the original creations of Frank Herbert.
Book Review: Great book
Summary: 4 Stars
I felt all the first 6 books in the Dune series and Sandworms of Dune were great. Of course I loved some more than the others. While this book was definitely a great read, I felt too much happened in this series. While I have to admit it may be partially due to the fact that I didn't want the series to end, I feel the storyline in the book would have been better written into two or three books. Nonetheless, I will still highly recommend it. I also think that after reading this book it will kindle your interest in some of the prequels to Dune.Book Review: Great story
Summary: 5 Stars
It was really excellent to see Miles Teg again, and all my favorite characters stranded on a no-ship off in parts unknown with a cargo hold full of sandworms. Readers get to most all of the familiar faces from the other Dune books. I was especially touched by how Brian and Kevin handled Dr. Yueh trying to cope with his guilt and the ghola memory of what he had done. The Honored Matres are as vicious as ever and readers at last learn the identity of the mysterious Outside Enemy that's been hinted at for many books. (Plenty of people guessed it ahead of time -- I did.)