Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson. June 19, 2008
Posted by webmaster in : Great Science Fiction Novels , trackback
The Dune universe has spawned yet another series…
First, let me start off this post by saying I do indeed love the Dune universe. It spawned so much of Science Fiction as we know it today; I’ll probably read everything and anything concerning Dune ever written. And this from a guy who generally despises sequels. The saga has taken us through the six original Dune books, and two trilogies of prequels. Now, the authors try their hand at continuing the story beyond the last original series book Chapter House: Dune. As all Dune fans will recall, the Dune universe was pretty much shattered in Frank Herbert’s’ final vision; the Tyrant had be long overthrown, the Honored Matres had returned from the Scattering, and Arrakis had been destroyed. The remaining vestiges of the old Empire has escaped in a no-ship. All in all, a pretty dark note to end on for a dark series. In Hunters of Dune, many of the old characters are brought back via the ghola method. Before, only Duncan Idaho suffered this repeated indignity. This time around Idaho, Baron Harkonnen, even the Kwisatz Haderach himself, Paul (Muad’Dib!) Atreides is brought back for another round. Our only problem with this is well, we’ve been over ground with these characters before; it would be refreshing to see something new. Most of the original series and the two sets of prequels did just that; in Hunters, the plot seems to be floundering for direction. The Honored Matres continue a tit-for-tat war with the Bene Gesserit, and the witches promptly respond in kind. What could be potentially interesting to see are the interactions between the old reconstituted characters, as the entire Dune saga timeline covers 10,000+ years.
One mystery is illuminated; what drove the Honored Matres back from the Scattering? I won’t introduce any spoilers, but suffice to say, it’ll tie in with the early days of the Butlerian Jihad. Is another television adaptation in the works? Any plans to use Iron Maiden’s song “To Tame a Land” from the album “Piece of Mind?”
In summary, I wouldn’t recommend Hunters to someone who has never read a Dune book. Read the original Dune to see Frank Herbert’s true vision. Will I read the next book, Sandworms of Dune? Most likely; and this from someone who despises sequels! Long live the Dune universe!
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