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Hunters of Dune
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Product Description
At the end of Chapterhouse: Dune--Frank Herbert’s final novel--a ship carrying the ghola of Duncan Idaho, Sheeana (a young woman who can control sandworms), and a crew of various refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from the monstrous Honored Matres, dark counterparts to the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. The nearly invincible Honored Matres have swarmed into the known universe, driven from their home by a terrifying, mysterious Enemy. As designed by the creative genius of Frank Herbert, the primary story of Hunters and Sandworms is the exotic odyssey of Duncan’s no-ship as it is forced to elude the diabolical traps set by the ferocious, unknown Enemy. To strengthen their forces, the fugitives have used genetic technology from Scytale, the last Tleilaxu Master, to revive key figures from Dune’s past—including Paul Muad’Dib and his beloved Chani, Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Thufir Hawat, and even Dr. Wellington Yueh. Each of these characters will use their special talents to meet the challenges thrown at them.
Failure is unthinkable--not only is their survival at stake, but they hold the fate of the entire human race in their hands.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #7090 in Books
- Published on: 2007-06-26
- Released on: 2007-06-26
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Mass Market Paperback
- 576 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
After two prequel trilogies to the legendary SF epic (the Legends of Dune and Prelude to Dune series), Frank Herbert's son Brian, in collaboration with Anderson, launch a new trilogy that takes up where Herbert Sr. left off with Chapterhouse: Dune (1985). This entertaining if over-the-top update begins three years after the refugee "no-ship," Ithaca, has fled Chapterhouse and the brutal Honored Matres, a corrupted faction of the all-female Bene Gesserit order led by Mother Commander Murbella. Duncan Idaho, Murbella's ex-love slave, guides the ship carrying reincarnated warrior Miles Teg, the dissident Rev. Mother Sheeana and 150 other refugees. While Murabella deals with violent rebels from within, another more sinister enemy... secretly infiltrates the Honored Matres... Herbert's ecological and religious concerns now seem oddly prescient, but this sizzling update, still filled with crazed women who sexually enslave men, sometimes borders on campy 1950s B-movie parody.
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From AudioFile
In this penultimate book in the Dune series, Sheeana and a crew of fugitives are attempting to save themselves and the universe. A number of historical figures they have revived with genetic technology help them. With the intensity that has been his trademark in this series, Scott Brick follows the weaving of the plot with skill and passion. His familiar characterizations come together as the multigenerational crew works together. An interview of the authors by Brick, which is included at the end of the production, suffers from uneven sound, but the discussion of the origins of the book, a long-lost outline by Dune creator Frank Herbert, may be of interest to listeners. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Review
“One of the monuments of modern science fiction.”--Chicago Tribune on Dune
“I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings.”--Sir Arthur C. Clarke on Dune
“A portrayal of an alien society more complete and deeply detailed than any other author in the field has managed . . . a story absorbing equally for its action and philosophical vistas. . . . An astonishing science fiction phenomenon.”--The Washington Post on Dune
“Powerful, convincing, and most ingenious.”--Robert A. Heinlein on Dune
“Herbert’s creation of this universe, with its intricate development and analysis of ecology, religion, politics, and philosophy, remains one of the supreme and seminal achievements in science fiction.”--Louisville Times on Dune
“The kind of intricate plotting and philosophical musings that would make the elder Herbert proud.”--Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Dune: The Butlerian Jihad
“Sit back and enjoy.”--Booklist on Dune: The Machine Crusade
“Dune addicts will happily devour Herbert and Anderson’s spicy conclusion to their second prequel trilogy.”--Publishers Weekly on Dune: The Battle of Corrin
Customer Reviews
Too Much of a Departure
I started reading the Dune Chronicles about 15 years ago due to the advice of a friend. Like so many, I fell in love with the way Herbert managed to weave a plethora of thematic elements into a single piece. By God Emperor, my reading hard slowed down to a crawl (Sorry, I just hate it when I invest so much time in characters just to see them all gone). I managed to dredge through and move to Heretics and Chapterhouse which refocused my interest.
First of all, let me say, I read the prequel House books and thought they were fair, with the exception of House Corrino. With the books just being fair, I decided to skip the Legend books. And now we have Hunters.
The first bone I have to pick with Hunters is the elementary way in which it is written. I think it is rather sad to see an author dumb down characters for the sake the reader. I don't know about anyone else, but I like it when an author makes me think. I loved the social intricacies of the original series. Hunters gives us nothing more than idiots that need the obvious stated to them, enter Miles Teg and Duncan Idaho (mentats, the human computers, ironically enough).
To the next subject. I just really want to know, did anyone spot how different the characters were in Hunters as compared to Chapterhouse: Murabella seems to have become a psychopath, Miles Teg is an idiot, Duncan Idaho wavers in his loyalty to the Atreides (Sheena, of course), and the wild Reverend Mother (I am using "wild" as an adjective outside the scope of the story) Sheena becoming utterly predictable when no one knew what she was up to in Chapterhouse prior to the great sharing. What happened? Where are the characters I remember.
Due to these problems alone, it's nearly impossible to get into the disjointed plot. Poor characterization keeps the reader from feeling any empathy toward the characters. Without proper characterization you can't depend upon it to move the plot. Just like the second Matrix movie everything you need to know is in the very last portion, the last twenty pages or so.
Skip this book if you can and save a few hours of your life. You could obtain all the information you need for Sandworms from a spoiler from anyone who has read Hunters.
Just one last question: how long will a bank hold onto a safety deposit box before they destroy the contents. Surely not a decade, I would think.
Worth the read
I delayed reading this book due to all the negative reviews. As a big fan of the original Herbert (read all 6 books at least twice), I wasn't that impressed with Brian and Kevin's work on the ealier trilogies. This book suffers some of the same flaws relative to the originals-lack of depth, characterization. However, it is extremely fast reading and the plot is worthwhile. Contrary to some others, I found the plot highly plausible based on the original series and overall well presented-accepting the fact that Frank Herbert didn't write it. The final book should be here today, hope they bring it to a satisfying conclusion.
Hunters of Dune
The story created By Frank Herbet is continued and stays true to the other books a must have for Dune fans. Herbert and Anderson stay true to Frank Herberts Vision.
