We hope you will find at least a book or two to read from these selections.
Heretics
of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 5)
Chapterhouse Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 6)
Book review by Joel
These two books end the original series. The story in these two books
is consecutive and could have been one long story, so I am combining them
here. This tale delves deeper into the Bene Gesserit, the Tleilaxu, and
the character of Duncan Idaho Ghola, and the new heretics--the Honored
Matres. The Honored Matres are suspected to be originally outcasts of
the Bene Gesserit who went out beyond the known Universe to escape from
the Emperor Leto. This story starts about 1,500 years after Leto’s
rule.
Both books slowly reveal that the Bene Gesserit Universe is being reduced
and taken over by the extremely violent Honored Matres. Both factions
are primarily female civilizations who use intellect and sex to control
their people, however the Gesserits work more behind the scenes and are
much less violent. The Gesserits have used their methods for millennium
to guide the genetic shape of humanity. It was they who were trying to
create a Kwisatz Haderach, or male leader who could be in many places
at once. It was Paul’s mother Lady Jessica who was a Bene Gesserit
that had a boy instead of a girl and started the ball rolling to create
Leto the Worm Emperor. Now they are having to keep humanity on Leto’s
Golden Path while fighting off the heretics.
I liked these books though not as well as the first three. I thought they
moved a bit slow with the tension mounting throughout. You never know
with Frank Herbert whether or not he will kill off main characters and
go in completely opposite directions of what you think he will do. He
doesn’t disappoint, as the conclusion will leave you wondering.
Frank’s son Brian has collaborated with Kevin Anderson on some prequels
and a seventh book that he found original notes from Frank Herbert. These
are Hunters
of Dune
Joel.
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©2004-2008 by Book Reader's Traverse. All rights reserved.
Do you like this book review? Joel has written for Book Reader's Traverse since its conception in 2004. He often finds his books in unusual places, including hometown shops where he visits, and even dumpsters at times. See his comical bio and picks--Joel's Picks.
Read Behind the Scenes at Book Reader's Traverse--blog