Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
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Book Reviews of Sandworms of Dune
Book Review: Entertaining space opera that lacks Frank Herbert's invention as a novelist
Summary: 3 Stars
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's Dune novels have much more in common with the atmosphere of "Star Wars" than Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Sandworms of Dune like Hunters of Dune its predecessor was based on an outline for the novel to follow Frank Herbert's Chapterhouse novel. Sandworms is certainly entertaining although both books should and could have been condensed into a single compact novel and been much more effective. This is the kind of book you pick up at the airport and use to pass the time--it isn't enlightening nor is it great literature but it is diverting.
Duncan Idaho and the refugees that escaped at the conclusion of Chapterhouse continue to fly into uncharted space attempting to evade the creatures and Honored Matres that are trying to capture Idaho. Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Sheeana has used cells collected from some of the most notable figures in history to clone gholas in aid them in their fight against either of their enemies if needed. This includes Paul Atraides, his mother Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Thufir Hawait and Miles Teg among others.
Meanwhile, the Mother Commander Murabella continues to integrate the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood with factions of the HHonored Matres preparing them for war. Murabella finds her followers fighting among themselves almost as often as they are fighting the Honored Matres who refuse to join them as well as unexpected plagues that begin to ravage the inhabited worlds.
Uxtal one of the last remaining Tlielaxu masters finds himself forced to work undercover for a group of Face Dancers that are infiltrating the humans. Uxtal is forced to recreate one of the old Tlielaxu masters Waff in attempt to discover how to make spice in without sandworms now that the planet of Dune has been destroyed.
The Dune novels that Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson have written are diverting and entertaining but lack the resonance of Frank Herbert's original novels. Frank Herbert's novels examained a number of difficult themes from addiction to humanity's obsession with messiah myths and the political consequences of both. These sequels are like any film franchise--they aren't truly about extending and examining the same themes but about the entertainment value. From that perspective Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's novels are successful and while they do try to examine many of the same themes from Frank Herbert's novels they aren't quite as successful. Frank Herbert's style could often be stilted. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's style veers towards the opposite extreme--it's simplified for folks that love to read Star Wars novels and other franchise fiction. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you're looking for but fans who read these Dune novels will be disappointed.
Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune are both entertaining diversions and while they lack the invention and serious themes that drove Frank Herbert's novels, they are, at the very least, entertaining space opera.
Book Review: Interesting, but doesn't feel like a Dune novel should
Summary: 3 Stars
This review is difficult to write because there are many things about "Sandworms" that I really like, but there are too many things wrong with it to call it "great". Instead it is just pretty good.
First, the good: As a Dune fan I kept reading in part simply because I wanted to see how the authors would attempt to finish Frank Herbert's epic story. For the most part I was pleased with the way that most of Herbert's original characters are portrayed, referring to Duncan Idaho, Sheeana, Teg, Murbella, etc. While the dialogue is sub par in places, I was convinced for most of the book that Frank Herbert originally envisioned these characters. I thought the story was fairly well done for about the first half, with just enough intrigue and excitement to be worthy of Dune.
Now, the bad: This book, along with "Hunters", is ostensibly based on Frank Herbert's outlines, but I wonder how detailed those outlines were, because there are just too many things that seem bizarre when placed in the Dune universe. First, I really didn't like having thinking machines as the Enemy that Herbert envisioned. In particular, the specific characters of Erasmus and Omnious are the authors' creation from the earlier trilogy, and I can't help but feel like they brought them back just to play with them some more. They don't feel like they have anything to do with Dune; they make they book just like any other sci fi novel.
But the biggest pitfall is that the story tries to be too epic. There are way too many characters who are supposed to be important but don't really do anything (Alia, Leto), plot points that are pointless (ultraspice, morphed worms), and I was really annoyed by the fact that most of the gholas end up doing nothing significant and are either killed off or drop from the plot some other way. The ending wraps up way too quickly, neatly, and bizarrely for such a complex story.
In the end, "Sandworms" is fun to read and is exciting at times, but there were too many seemingly random and preposterous story points to call it a fitting end to the Dune saga. Rather, it is a book that you would read once and appreciate, but likely not turn to again.
Book Review: Not nearly as compelling as its predecesor, but still finishes strong.
Summary: 3 Stars
Hunters of Dune was a much better read than Sandworms of Dune. Sandworms picks up shortly after Hunters of Dune and the novel starts out very slow. The mid-section is not that much more exciting and plods along with very little steam. I have to admit though, that the ending (last 125 pages) was excellent and literally saved this novel. It finishes very strong, all the plot lines come together in the last 125 pages, and it was even difficult for me to put down at this point. It's too bad the beginning and middle sections weren't nearly as good or compelling as the ending.
With the Ithaca captured on the Machine home world of "Synchrony," it's crew imprisoned and its weaponry dismantled, face dancers loyal to and created by the robots infesting Chapterhouse and all of their warships, Omnious and Erasmus figure they've got this one in the bag. The extermination of Humanity and Chapterhouse are virtually certain as their weapons have no effect against the advancing robots. What the robots completely forgot about, not to mention never even considered the possibility of, were the Sandworms locked inside the Ithaca's storage facility. And when they're let loose on the Machine's home world of Synchrony, they literally bring the robots to their knees, destroying their entire society, hence the name of the novel. There are plenty of other surprizes in the ending as well, which makes this Dune novel a worthy read.
Book Review: Good Mind Candy
Summary: 3 Stars
I know a lot of reviewers did not like this book, but I did. I enjoyed reading it and I did not worry about whether it held true to Frank Hebert's original or whether things did not make sense in comparison to other previous books. Too me, it is just good science fiction/fantasy. I call it "good mind candy". It is pleasurable to read, but is not a history book or a book that will make you a better person. There is no reason to read this, other than it is a fun book to read. And in that respect, I enjoyed it. If you are detail oriented, remember everything Frank Hebert wrote, and have expectations of exactly how this should be written, then it may not be for you. But if you want something that generally follows all of the other books about Dune, then you will enjoy it.Book Review: The Dunes Creep
Summary: 3 Stars
Afer awhile, the story begins to drag and tries to throw everything in but the kitchen sink. Frank Herbert's Dune (The original Novel) was so much more than the sum of all its parts. Here, the story meanders aimlessly onward, trying to serve up a big whopping finale, trying to appease those fans whose imagination have gone lacking. The finesse of government, religion, industry, Machiavelli intrigues and the slavish addiction to a rare commodity has never been equaled or surpassed. Sooner or later, all things end. it is time to let go before this series is ran into the ground.