Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hunters of Dune
Book Review: Problems from Page 1
Summary: 2 Stars
Brian Herbert claims in his foreword that this book is the culmination of a thorough reading of an outline his father Frank had for "Dune 7." Indeed, he says that in order to tell the story, the final book would be 1300 pages, and thus we are "treated" to two books, "Hunters of Dune" (under revew now) and "Sandworms of Dune," which should be out shortly if it isn't already. Yet, after reading the 1st "half" (which consists only of about 562 pages) of this thrilling conclusion, I have my doubts that the outline was anything other than the title and a lot of question marks.
The fact is, "Hunters of Dune" is not a good book. Of course, the "Dune" books got pretty lousy ("Heretics..." is one of the worst books I've ever finished, not only from a plot standpoint, but from a literary one, and while "Chapterhouse..." was sufficiently entertaining, though NOT well-written, it's ridiculous ending really marrs the book as a whole). The "science" part of this "fiction" is even worse than in the Herbert books (Brian Herbert's understanding of mathematics, and specifically spatial geometry, is MUCH more flawed than his father's, and FAR less entertaining or thought-provoking). I mean, take the FIRST CHAPTER. We are treated to a Miles Teg clone watching the "final moments of his life." Unfortunately, the cells which he was cloned from were taken LONG BEFORE these final moment. Unlike the elder Herbert, who was smart enough to note that his gholas were clones taken from DEAD bodies (and hence the cells could possess the entire life-memories of the subject), the younger Herbert seems too oblivious even to realize this. I never much cared for Frank Herbert's science or math, but at least it made a semblance of logical sense. The same cannot be said about the younger Herbert.
I will place no (other) spoilers in this review, but the development of this book is hardly exciting. Of course, the source material is suspect(the "honored matres" was one of the worst inventions in the Frank Herbert universe, as well as the insistence of resurrecting characters - it's like I'm watching "Dragon Ball" or something), but Brian Herbert wouldn't make a compelling story of even good material (see, for example, "The Butlerian Jihad" or its follow-ups, although I did enjoy the "House ---" books, but only for their beach-read entertainment value). The literature here is far more flat than that of the elder series (which wasn't exactly lively to begin with), and the subject matter is far less engrossing.
Pretty much a dud...
Addendum: Man, I'm kicking myself for even giving this one two stars. What a piece of trash.
Book Review: Ready to Continue...
Summary: 4 Stars
Other than the bad cliffhanger ending, a good read in the series. Now, a query of the authors: you have given us the back story of most people and/or groups in the Dune series, all except for the history of the Bene Gesserit. As we follow them into the future, it would be great to somehow learn how on earth Serena Butler's consciousness entered the good witches' timeline -- I don't recall any reference to the Sisterhood in that volume. Just for instance.
Of course, I'm waiting for the next book in the series.
Book Review: Strong story; perhaps too much new/old integration
Summary: 4 Stars
While I very much enjoyed this book, you could really tell what parts had been layed out in Frank Herbert's original notes and what parts Brian Herbert and Kevin J, Anderson filled in. The integration Frank's origianl Dune universe with the prequel series by the younger Herbert and Anderson seemed a little disjointed at times. I'd certainly recommend this to any lover of the assorted Dune series.Book Review: Surprisingly good
Summary: 5 Stars
It has been over a year since I finished Chapterhouse: Dune. In the meantime, I tried to read the other Dune novels that Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson wrote, but they did not captivate me like the original works by Frank Herbert. Then, this book came along.
From the moment of reading the first chapter to the end of the short story at the back of the book, I was hooked. I finally realized why Brian and Kevin had written the other books. All the pieces fell into place. This was a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Terrible, unredeeming
Summary: 1 Stars
When I first heard that BH/KJA were writing Dune 7 based off some notes they claim to have found, I was all excited. Like any Dune fan after reading 'Chapterhouse Dune', I was left wanting more. I patiently read the Butlerian Jihad and Royal House trilogies, feeling disappointed in both and impatient for them to write Dune 7 already.
Alas, this book was better off not written at all. I slogged through it, patiently reading about the struggle between the Bene Gesserit and the Honored Matres, the drama between the gholas on the Ithaca, Duncan Idaho struggling with his addiction, Sheeana trying to figure out her destiny, some drama from the Face Dancers, and a whole bunch of other junk. And then I came to the end of this book. What? After all that drama and meaningless action I have to wait for another book? I was hoping that Dune 7 would be better than the two trilogies penned by Brian and Kevin, but alas. This book holds NOTHING of the essence of Frank Herbert's Dune.