Paul of Dune (Heroes of Dune) by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Paul of Dune (Heroes of Dune)
Book Review: Enjoyable addition to the Dune series
Summary: 4 Stars
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. Set between Frank Herbert's original novels Dune and Dune Messiah, Paul of Dune gives more details on the life of Paul Muad'Dib Atreides during the twelve years between the original novels.
At the conclusion of Dune, Muad'Dib has successfully led the Fremen against Baron Harkonnen, and assumed the throne of the empire. Paul of Dune picks the story up a year later, and covers a span of 4 years in the Jihad that spreads across the galaxy. The Fremen see Paul as the Mahdi, a messiah, and wage war with zealotry. This has its toll on Paul, and he descends into tyranny through the course of these pages, towards becoming the reviled emperor of the start of Dune Messiah.
There are flashback sequences in the novel to when Paul was 12, three years before the start of the original Dune novel. These sequences show experiences that Paul has had that are formative to the man, leader, and mahdi that he will become. The Harkonnens also appear in these flashback sequences and are characterized as the schemers they are in Dune.
Politics and religion play a major role in the Dune series, and this book is no exception. The previous emperor, Shaddam Corrino IV, now exiled to Salusa Secundus, plots his escape, revenge, and return to power. The Harkonnens appear in the flashback sequences, scheming as usual to destroy House Atreides.
My favorite part of the book concerns Count Hasimir Fenrig, who journeys to the home world of the Tleilaxu with his wife Margot and their daughter Marie. There they meet Thallo, the Tleilaxu's own Kwisatch Haderach candidate, who was briefly mentioned in Dune Messiah. Marie's interactions with Thallo were very interesting, and Thallo is an example of what Paul could have become had things not gone right for him.
I was a little disappointed in the way Princess Irulan was portrayed at the end of the book. It was nothing major, and I won't spoil the book, but she did not seem to match up with her characterization at the start of Dune Messiah. There are 8 year between Paul of Dune and Dune Messiah, so there's room for her character's attitude to change.
One minor complaint in an otherwise very enjoyable read.
Book Review: Entertaining Addition To The Dune Saga
Summary: 4 Stars
The difficulty with picking up a classic lineage and continuing on with where the original deceased author/creator began is knowing what the originator would have wanted and continuing a theme that works. It's hard to imagine if JK Rowling wasn't around to write the last 3 books of the Harry Potter line. What would have happened with Harry and would it have been what she had envisioned? With 'Paul of Dune' Frank Herbert (the father of Dune)'s son Brian and Kevin J Anderson add a new story to the Dune lineage focusing on the title character and I feel that this is a solid effort. Many complaints have been made that the writing style isn't like his fathers and not as exciting but that is a reality that cannot be avoided. The main goal with pickups like this is to write/create works that are true to the original, add to the storyline and respect the creator. It's been done with Gene Roddenberrys Star Trek for many years where some are hits, some big strikeouts and some home runs. With 'Paul of Dune' the authors have created a work that adds to the Dune saga and it's good job at that.
If you are a Dune fan or are just looking for a science fiction book to read this is a thumbs up work.
**** RECOMMENDED
Book Review: Even in the future, wars are without end...
Summary: 4 Stars
This story begins "One Year After the Fall of Shaddam IV" and continues through the next four years, with substantial flashbacks into a time in Paul's life, age 12, during his first hands-on experience with war. Though it's been years since I've read Frank Herbert's sequels to his masterpiece DUNE, this volume seems to mesh fairly well with what came before with only minor inconsistencies from the original.
In PAUL OF DUNE, the reader is carried through Paul's out-of-control Jihad, which his prescience tells him is imperative for the continuation of the human race. The point-of-view is third-person, with Paul holding about 50% of the chapters, switching back and forth with other personages such as: Stilgar, Gurney Halleck, Shaddam Corrino, Count Hasimir Fenring, the "flamboyant Swordmaster" Bludd from Ecaz, Vladimir Harkonnen, Princess Irulan, and others. Paul is trying to consolidate his power in a galaxy where politics are ever in flux and assassination attempts are the order of the day. Even when he was young, and the Assassin's War was in full throttle, the worlds were not at peace. Authors Brian & Kevin do a good job keeping the reader grounded in character and action. For a reader interested in this story, it does not get boring.
I found the focus of this volume almost as pointed toward Irulan as toward Paul. Here, she is blameless of any offence against Chani, which I found an irritating change from Frank's original--but it does read well here. I did enjoy the growth of characters Stilgar and Gurney as they waged war on other planets and eventually longed for home. And the adventure in Paul's boyhood with Duncan Idaho was especially entertaining. The view of different planets was done well, also, giving the reader a change from just desert or palace. Stilgar especially, endures swamps and rivers, a grueling endeavor for a desert borne man.
Politics, violence, and religion--ideas which hold a spell over humanity today, and in the future, encompass PAUL OF DUNE. This is an awesome read, giving each of us food for thought on mankind's current troubles.
Book Review: Faithfully fills in gaps
Summary: 5 Stars
Shows a bit of how Paul got to be so tough. Herbert and company continue to refine the skill of writing like dad did. You won't be disappointed.Book Review: First time, not sure about ever again
Summary: 3 Stars
This is my first Brian Herbert and Anderson novel. I didn't want to venture into Frank's universe without his writing but Paul of Dune...well, I was always a sucker for this character and how complex he was. There is good and bad with this novel. I mean it's not Frank and you can certainly see that each chapter is missing the depth and skill of his writing but if you can get past that this isn't a bad book. I also don't like rewriting Dune history. Though it's been a long time I'm pretty sure Paul never left Caladan before Dune and I thought a large portion of this book was dedicated to the flashback of Paul as a child during a conflict on a whole different planet...two of them actually.
Show me don't tell me how the Empire grew and grew beyond his control, the conspiracy or plots to kill Paul should be a footnote to his overall Empire considering the biggest plot against him came in Messiah. I like the training of Fremen to swim to fight on water planets, a few chapters dedicated to campaigns that Gurney or Stilgar were leading and even the endless Rebels. I think it lost it's focus once the flashbacks started and the story got off track. There was an opportunity to really dive into the politics of a religious Empire and the complex nature of the man who was thrust into it. Sadly the writers never took us there.