Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsI enjoyed the first prequel book
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014
I enjoyed the first prequel book, The Butlerian Jihad, but I think I enjoyed this book just a little bit more. There are so many things that happen in this book that make it an EPIC extension of the Dune Universe. As the war between the sentient machines and humans rages on, there are severe implications and sacrifices that take place on both sides of the fence in this book. I really enjoyed the depth that we see in some of the characters in this story, that were introduced in the first prequel book: Vorian Atreides, Zufa Cenva, Iblis Ginjo, Serena Butler, Xavier Harkonnen and especially Norma Cenva and the intriguing robot, Erasmus . All of these characters were vastly expanded upon from the first book and I felt a connection with many of them as they went through their journey(s) throughout this sprawling space opera.
We see many past events that are talked about in Franks Herbert's original book(s), come to fruition here: The beginning of the Melange spice exportation (which will eventually have the entire galaxy consumed by it's hypnotic and addictive influence) Space folding, the beginning stages of the Zennsunni and Zennshite refugees on the planet of Arrakis and subsequent start of the Fremen, the rise of the first man to ever ride a sandworm, the legendary Selim Wormrider and the continuing stories and expansion of the Harkonnen and Atreides families.
As with The Butlerian Jihad, this book is not without it's pitfalls, many of which will be a turn off for some readers. The writing is lackluster at times, a lot of the dialog ranges from bad to downright laughable, and certain scenarios aren't properly fleshed out and seemed rushed. Also, as with the last book, there are certain situations that happen and then are re-told over and over again, making it redundant at times. There are certain moments in this book that made me roll my eyes and audibly exclaim "Oh my God, that's bad!" Like when Serena Butler returns to Salusa Secundus at the beginning of the book and after a speech, spreads her arms, begins to cry and says something to the effect of: "my precious Jihidists" To some, these things will be a turn off and to an extent it makes me understand some of the poor reviews that this book has been given. But with that said though, I don't think it's fair to totally write the book off because it was still very entertaining in a "summer blockbuster at the movies" type of way, and it expands on the Dune Universe in epic fashion and I found myself not wanting to put the book down!
This book certainly isn't going to be for everybody, and if you are expecting the masterpiece that was Frank Herbert's original DUNE, then you will be sorely disappointed, but if you can be forgiving of certain shortcomings and are looking for more adventures and back-story out of the Dune universe, then definitely check this book out! I'm looking forward to checking out part three of the prequel trilogy next, The Battle of Corrin.
