Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sandworms of Dune
Book Review: Entertaining space opera that lacks Frank Herbert's invention as a novelist
Summary: 3 Stars
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's Dune novels have much more in common with the atmosphere of "Star Wars" than Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Sandworms of Dune like Hunters of Dune its predecessor was based on an outline for the novel to follow Frank Herbert's Chapterhouse novel. Sandworms is certainly entertaining although both books should and could have been condensed into a single compact novel and been much more effective. This is the kind of book you pick up at the airport and use to pass the time--it isn't enlightening nor is it great literature but it is diverting.
Duncan Idaho and the refugees that escaped at the conclusion of Chapterhouse continue to fly into uncharted space attempting to evade the creatures and Honored Matres that are trying to capture Idaho. Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Sheeana has used cells collected from some of the most notable figures in history to clone gholas in aid them in their fight against either of their enemies if needed. This includes Paul Atraides, his mother Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Thufir Hawait and Miles Teg among others.
Meanwhile, the Mother Commander Murabella continues to integrate the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood with factions of the HHonored Matres preparing them for war. Murabella finds her followers fighting among themselves almost as often as they are fighting the Honored Matres who refuse to join them as well as unexpected plagues that begin to ravage the inhabited worlds.
Uxtal one of the last remaining Tlielaxu masters finds himself forced to work undercover for a group of Face Dancers that are infiltrating the humans. Uxtal is forced to recreate one of the old Tlielaxu masters Waff in attempt to discover how to make spice in without sandworms now that the planet of Dune has been destroyed.
The Dune novels that Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson have written are diverting and entertaining but lack the resonance of Frank Herbert's original novels. Frank Herbert's novels examained a number of difficult themes from addiction to humanity's obsession with messiah myths and the political consequences of both. These sequels are like any film franchise--they aren't truly about extending and examining the same themes but about the entertainment value. From that perspective Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's novels are successful and while they do try to examine many of the same themes from Frank Herbert's novels they aren't quite as successful. Frank Herbert's style could often be stilted. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's style veers towards the opposite extreme--it's simplified for folks that love to read Star Wars novels and other franchise fiction. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you're looking for but fans who read these Dune novels will be disappointed.
Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune are both entertaining diversions and while they lack the invention and serious themes that drove Frank Herbert's novels, they are, at the very least, entertaining space opera.
Book Review: Fans will find their closure
Summary: 4 Stars
The ending is confounding and frustrating, yet somehow rather right that all these different elements should converge as they did. If you've read the other books you will find the ending both surprising and inevitable.
If you're looking for closure, you will be satisfied. If you want to see how the story ties together and how much more story there is to be told, then read on.
Book Review: Getting worse
Summary: 1 Stars
Herbert (Brian) and Anderson and getting worse. Thanks to you I won't buy any more dune prequels and interquels.
The Dune saga started with Dune and ended with Chaperthouse Dune.
Book Review: Good Mind Candy
Summary: 3 Stars
I know a lot of reviewers did not like this book, but I did. I enjoyed reading it and I did not worry about whether it held true to Frank Hebert's original or whether things did not make sense in comparison to other previous books. Too me, it is just good science fiction/fantasy. I call it "good mind candy". It is pleasurable to read, but is not a history book or a book that will make you a better person. There is no reason to read this, other than it is a fun book to read. And in that respect, I enjoyed it. If you are detail oriented, remember everything Frank Hebert wrote, and have expectations of exactly how this should be written, then it may not be for you. But if you want something that generally follows all of the other books about Dune, then you will enjoy it.Book Review: Great book perfect condition
Summary: 5 Stars
A perfect conclusion to the Dune saga leaves you wishing it would just go on forever.