Hunters of Dune
by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
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Book Reviews of Hunters of Dune
Book Review: Mission accomplished!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wondered how these authors were going to pull it off. The original Herbert left so many questions unanswered, so many alliances, so many storylines (and some of them were confusing on the first reading). Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson introduced dozens more questions in their own books. But hUNTERS picks up the story very nicely. Even if you don't exactly remember everything that happened in the previous book, or if it's been a long time (or if you're one of those who didn't even read it), the authors give you enough details to get you up to speed, but they don't go overboard.
The story begins in an interesting fashion by introducing the different characters and plots, each one in the middle of a crisis. Each one gets more and more complicated, picking up on hints that readers spotted in the Herbert originals. Gholas being grown of special cells from all the main characters in previous books. It makes for a very interesting mix. Just to see Jessica, Paul, the Baron, and Thufir Hawat all being the same age -- cool! HUNTERS isn't a good place to start if you haven't read a Dune book before, but it's certainly a great addition for the rest of us real Dune fans.
Book Review: Continues the series, but the writing is dull
Summary: 3 Stars
Like the Dune prequels put together by this team, "Hunters of Dune" lacks the special something that Frank Herbert breathed into his works. Granted, the authors acknowledge they they do not try to imitate Mr. Herbert, but the books are just weak. It was great to see the continuation of the second trilogy from where "Chapterhouse: Dune" left off, but most of the surprise revalations were fairly obviously at least a few chapters in advance. The other major problem (many other sci-fi novels seem to suffer this as well) is that the characters appear to be mere mouths for the plot; any "character" to them is conveyed nearly exclusively through their choice of words in dialogs. The only characters who seem to stand apart are the Rabbi, and Scytale, neither of whom were ever interesting or likable characters.
Overall, from someone who has read every book in the Dune series, as well as every book that Frank Herbert ever wrote, I can say that like the prequels, this book is worth a read to find out what Frank intended for the series, but the writing is merely generic sci-fi. If you are looking for a true successor to the "Dune" series, this is not it.
Book Review: This is Brian's and Kevins not Frank's work
Summary: 4 Stars
Understandably reviewers are angry over the prequels and sequels to the Dune double-trilogy not being Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert is dead. Brian Herbert is a different person.
If you feel religiously about Dune and can't endure Frank not writing it, I suggest you await whatever future world your theology allows for and reunite with him if possible. In the meantime, in this world, Brian and Kevin write books that happen to align for better or for worse with the Dune universe. On their own merits, these books are entertaining and salve a need some of us have for "more Dune." Dune isn't the only universe where this has happened.
I thank Brian and Kevin for doing a good job of reminding me of Dune, making me think about Dune, making me long for and go back to re-read Dune. And if they've made some good money for the pleasure, then they're welcome to it. I don't begrudge them a single nickel and look forward to any more Dune they can justify coming up with.
God chose Dune to train the faithful, but the faithful do not always agree.
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.
Book Review: Continuing the Dune Saga...
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the continuation of the original Dune saga. Since this title was based off Frank Herbert's outlines, the story flows very similarly to how the original Dune novels flowed. This book, like most of the Dune novels, is not designed to be very action oriented, its story and the way it is presented is supposed to be subtle with moments of action thrown in. In this chapter, we see how the Sisterhood has evolved, what is going on with Chapterhouse, what happened to the no-ship and how its crew is dealing with being on the run, and we discover just who the Outside Enemy is. This book has pieces of the Machine Trilogy thrown in. Serena Butler makes an appearance, as does Omnius, and we see how Norma Cenva has continued to evolve. Purists of the Dune saga may not like this or any other book written by anyone other than Frank Herbert himself. I found Hunters of Dune to be easier to read and follow than the any of the previouis non-original saga novels.