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: Not as bad as some may think...
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have to compare the new Dune books to Frank's Dune books, of course you will be dissappointed. This is not the same Dune as penned by that illustrious writer.
But, if you take the book on it's own merit, and grade it on the style of writing present in most Sci-Fi novels and stories written today, then it holds it's ground.
It is a definite page turner! Each and every "chapter" of the book leaves you waiting for the next time that subject is broached. It has about six different plots going at once, and they all are intertwined throughout. The writing IS simpler than Frank's which makes it more approachable and definitely attractive to the average reader.
Part of the reasons for writing at such a level, is definitely to attract those who were somewhat intimidated by Frank's writing before. I think that is what has made the new books such a commericial success.
I enjoy reading Frank's books, but after reading this newest installment, I found that enjoy Brian and Kevin's work on a different level. It is a relaxing read and definitely entertaining, to say the least!
Those who chastise the new books, fine. Go back to reading the old stuff over again, and let the rest of us enjoy the new stories like a day at the park...
Book Review: Curiosity didn't kill the cat.
Summary: 3 Stars
This has been simply the most eagerly awaited volume in the writings of son Herbert and friend. The first trilogy they wrote was actually quite pleasant however the trilogy was a bit of a waste of time for any Dune fan. After six books it was quite clear that the new writers lacked the vision and quality that made Frank Herberts books so unique.
This book however was based upon the ideas and written bits by Frank himself, some of his vision has already been severely spoilered in the previous two trilogies. I must admit that this book can easily be considered the best of the output of the new writers, it left me wanting for the last installment of the series.
For anybody feeling cheated by Frank herberts death this book and its sequel will answer any question you got stuck with, and its a pretty decent read too.
Read the Frank H. Dune books and finish with these two and you'll be having a blast and get some brilliant Scifi. If you want more you can always read the House of... trilogy. And only if you are a glutton for punishment read the other trilogy.
I can't wait for august 2007 for the last release of the series.
And then one can only hope for a decent re-release of Franks books in hardcover to celebrate the Dune universe.
Book Review: Unbelievably Bad ... Even by the standard of Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
Summary: 1 Stars
I won't expand on what others have already stated so well - the insipid writing, the assumption that the readers are idiots who need to be beat over the head with backstory and foreshadowing, the 1-dimensional cartoonish characters, the ridiculous idea of bringing all the characters from the original series and the prequels back, etc.
It's bad enough that the enemy that the Honoured Matres are running away from is Omnius (that's not a spoiler, anybody who read either the House series or the Legends series would know that). But the old couple from the end of Chapterhouse are ... Omnius and Erasmus?! Are they kidding.
We are constantly reminded that BH and KJA have access to Frank Herbert's notes. Well, that may be true, but I am 100% certain that those notes have nothing to do with this book. There is no way on Earth that Frank Herbert's notes indicated that Omnius was the unknown enemy because in Frank Herbert's universe there was no Omnius. When he was talking about domination by thinking machines he clearly had something more subtle in mind that the simplistic interpretation of BH and KJA. And he certainly didn't intend the old couple (who represented him and his wife) to be machines.
Book Review: Slow, Dissapointing
Summary: 2 Stars
When I found out the book was based on Frank Herbert's outlines, I thought, well maybe this final book will be better than the other "average quality" Dune prequels from the Anderson/Herbert duo. Although this book is better, I was still dissapointed. I wasn't expecting Frank Herbert's prose, but like a lot of other readers have already mentioned, the book drags along and is very slow at times. Every little thing is explained and re-explained - something which is truly annoying. Maybe they did this to try and extend the book into two volumes (which is another annoying feature since we have to wait another year to finally get the rest of the story), but who knows, the other Dune prequels are similar in style.
The book is just bland, it lacks flavor; there are some good parts, but not enough of them. The other thing that annoyed me was the incorporation of elements from the Dune prequels written by Anderson/Herbert. Herbert's son had said he wasn't going to meddle with Dune 7, until he came across the Dune 7 outline (which right now sounds like BS to me), and yet major parts of the plot involve characters from the Dune prequels ...
Anyway, enough complaining.
Book Review: so so sad
Summary: 1 Stars
Yes, yes i bought this book, just like i bought all the other "pre-quel" novels because I am a Dune fan. But lets get right to the point: the pre-quels were no good. they basically just made a mediocre story and stuck dune characters in there to carry it.
this 7th book had so much potential. bringing back the gholas of the famous figures. it could've been so cool. but the outside threat, the big scary ENEMY? i mean, i thought to myself before this book came out, "wouldn't it be so lame if it was xxxxxx." ....
...
..
and it was. :(
Everyone talks about how great it was that herbert put a tribute to his wife in the 6th dune book. he must be rolling over in his grave to find out that the old couple were actually xxxx and xxxx. i mean c'mon. that was worse that the "bridge of hrethgir" from the prequels. OMG.
how lame, how incredibly lame. whats even lamer is that i'll probably end up buying the next book just to see the lame ending and to complete my collection of sucky hardbound dune prequels :(
too bad there are no 1/2 star ratings could this would be about a 1/2 star i think.