Hunters of Dune (Sci Fi Essential Books)
by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
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Book Reviews of Hunters of Dune (Sci Fi Essential Books)
Book Review: A great story, a long-awaited book
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems many reviewers here are quite upset that these two authors do not write like Frank, and tend to bash the newer books. I really have to disagree with them! I read both prequels, then re-read the whole original series in preparation for this. I have to say that I really, really enjoyed Hunters. This book is about the THE STORY, and the story is great. There are twists and turns and it's very hard to put down. For a Dune fan it is REQUIRED READING. It's written at about a 10th-11th grade level I'd say, which by the way is about where Lord of the Rings was written, so don't complain about it being "dumbed down".
Part of the difference these writers have with the original series is that in books 2-6 the storyline really took a backseat, and that is why most people I've met did not read them. (seriously, how many times have you met someone who says they only read the first book, or that they stopped in book 2 or 3?). In fact, sometimes it was often tedious to "have" to reread the series this year. Yes, Frank wrote in a way that made you think very hard, (sometimes VERY HARD) and you don't find that with Anderson and BH. To be honest, though, Frank wrote so that you COULDN'T understand. You were not supposed to know what they were talking about. Go back read some of those conversations and soliloquies (any book from Messiah to Chapterhouse)--they honestly don't make any sense. And I have two doctorate degrees and a long history of SF reading. Just because it sounds intellectual and makes you think, does that make a good story? Really? I'm not bashing Frank, I loved the books and it was amazing to be able to write that way. But don't bash these two new writers simply because they choose to actually write a cool story and make sense while doing so.
And don't be dissuaded by negative reviews from people who feel insulted if the general public might be able actually to sit through the book. This was a really fun read, and I'm dying to read the last one.
Book Review: These prequels and sequels can be hit or miss. This is a slight miss.
Summary: 3 Stars
Now, if you're the type that believes Frank Herbert's Dune series is a marvel of epic proportions and any expansion or alteration should be considered blasphemy, then, well, your decision has already been made on whether you hate this book. For those that read it only out of obligation to the original Dune series will also predictably be disappointed. This review is not for you guys.
For those that can appreciate these books a separate though interesting and compelling sidetrack without any preconceptions, the prequels are quite entertaining. However, this sequel does suffer from a lack of action, one sided characters, and a total lack of summary of the other previous Dune books.
The biggest flaw is that most people don't remember the Dune books, as most people read Chapterhouse years and years ago. I advise everyone to read the summaries of the Dune books on Wikipedia before reading this book. Also, some parts of the story do revolve around what happened in the prequels, so I'd advise that if you haven't read the prequels, you read the summaries from Wikipedia as well.
The story pretty much revolves around a space ship travelling with Gholas searching for a mysterious enemy, the merger of the Honored Matres and the Sisterhood, and a Thliexu master working for Face Dancers. That's pretty much it. Like some of the prequels (though not all), the story just gets bogged down with repetition without the plot moving along at all. The ending, though supposedly a surprise, is quite predictable.
Again, this is seventh book my Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson that extends the Dune series. A few of those books were slow, but those books usually led up to something really good - so I'm going to read on. I'd advise reading it if you really want to know how Frank Herbert ended his Dune series, without the philosophical mumbo-jumbo that plagued the last few Frank Herbert books, this is a worthy, more "entertaining" end to the Dune series.
Book Review: synthetic spice
Summary: 3 Stars
This is not the real thing. Frank is gone and all we have left is his outline and other authors. Nevertheless Dune 7 just HAS to be written so that we get some kind of resolution to all that build-up in the last two books. This is a barely passable attempt, however since I can't see anyone else getting the privilege to write the "official" sequel, in some ways there is little point in complaining.
But this book has major flaws and I felt conflicted ploughing through it, it reduces the Dune universe to a kind of potboiler pulp fiction mess. Some of the rot set in in Frank's own writing - too much Bene Gesserit, too many gholas, enough with the genetic memory stuff. Rebecca has the personal memories of 4 million people - ok, I'm losing my ability to suspend disbelief here. Too many special Atreides special powers.
This just cranks the handle a few more times (in some ways I pity the authors trying to resolve the whole thing).
Here are some more of the things I don't like :
Sadistic cruelty in the story handled in a "wait until you hear what he did next!" manner.
Consistent failure to observe the "show don't tell" rule for writing. For example the description of Murbella's attack on Hellica and the rest of the Honored Matres on Tleilax coimpletely lacked any drama or tension or even much interest.
Absurdities like teenage gholas escaping face dancer futars that had just eviscerated a bunch of honored matres, on foot!
But having said all this, I feel it's -entertaining- pulp and I definitely found it a page turner - more because of my feelings about the original 6 books than any newfound pleasure in these authors work.
Some of us are in the "must-read" category for these books as soon as they come out in hardback, due to the original material link to frank herbert via his outline. Anyone else, still on the fence though, I'd say wait for the mass market paperback which will be cheaper.
Book Review: PLEASE - try and channel Frank for the last volume
Summary: 2 Stars
Once again I got excited by a new Dune book and once again I ended up disappointed. It's hard to believe that this is what Frank Herbert had in mind, especially the almost childish plot device of reintroducing the characters from the original Dune. It's thousands of years after Paul and his son have changed the Universe and Honored Matres invaded, destroyed Dune and now have an uneasily alliance with the Bene Geserit. There is now an ENEMY who is up to no good. So what's wrong with this book?
(1) The story is really lame - we simply switch locations. It's a noship with the umpteenth version of Duncan Idaho, Sheeana & other witches and the reborn characters created to help battle the ENEMY. How Lady Jessica or Stilgar or Chani or Yueh "helps" is never explained. Or we are with Murbella, the leader of the combined Honored Matre and Bene Geserit. Or we are with a Tleilaxu Master working for a cruel Honored Matre. There is no synthesis and the writing is splotchy. It reads like someone imitating Frank Herbert.
(2) Vivid torture descriptions are apparently a mainstay in this series. I've railed against this until I'm ready to throw in the towel and admit that one or both of the authors gets off on this thing.
(3) The origin of the Honore Matres is finally revealed but once again the details are fuzzy. The ENEMY is revealed although motive is strangely absent. Face Dancers continue to rise in prominence in the overall story which, in my opinion, is a huge mistake since there are no individuals with whom the reader can identify.
Like many books in this series, Characterization is pitiful - not a single person is memorable unlike the original series when they seemed so real. Perhaps this is because character development has been replaced with tiny vignettes of predictable action. The long, original philosophical ponderings found in the original are absent altogether.
My grade: C---
Book Review: Face it. You'll hate it, but you will still probably read this book
Summary: 2 Stars
Many of you have read all of Dune 1-6. If you haven't, then you might even like this book.
But for everyone else, take solace in the fact that you will probably read this book, if only to edify the teaser ending that Frank Herbert left at the end of Dune 6. You will also undoubtedly read this book if you loved any or all of the Dune novels, on their merit alone. No amount of negative Amazon reviews, which are all absolutely true, will change that undeniable truth. This realization will bring you a small amount of relief and preparation, as it did for me.
As for the book itself, it has nowhere near the depth of Dunes 1-6. No apparent attempt whatsoever was made to follow up on the general themes of the older books to flesh out characters or plot, nor are any new themes introduced. Hunters of Dune is basically a game of connect the dots, using most of characters already introduced in Chapterhouse, Dune 1, as well as Brian and co.'s other Dune novels, to set up unimaginative conflicts supposedly to be resolved in Sandworms.
Someone said this novel was simplistic, and was exactly right. I thought the plot was very superficial. To be fair, Brian Herbert was able to include enough suspenseful situations, even if overdone, to make the plot work, even if in a generic fashion. Combined with the prepackaged characters, I DID feel it worthwhile to turn the page over and over. That's more than I can say about the other new Dune novels.
Brian Herbert and this other guy have an unbeatable business model. They realized that nothing is sacred, even if other people respect great works. Capitalizing on this difference = $$$MONEY$$$!!
I knew all this, and yet I still bought this book. As will you. Resistance is Futile!
Thinking positively, this book will inspire you to become a writer, if only as an altruistic attempt to raise the average.