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80 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hot air on Dune, August 5, 2009
Apparently Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson aren't finished milking Frank Herbert's cash cow. First prequels, then sequels, and now a midquel.
In this case, "The Winds of Dune" explores the months after the blinded, grief-stricken Paul Atreides aka Muad'Dib wandered off into the desert. While Anderson and Herbert conjure some touching moments as the people in Paul's life deal with his loss, they don't manage to make the story come alive -- the prose and beloved characters are flat.
On Caladan, Jessica is shocked by the news of her son's apparent death, Chani's tragic loss, and the birth of her twin grandchildren. She rushes to Arrakis to assist Alia, now appointed Regent, and discovers that Dune has changed in many ways -- Paul's loss has only increased fanatical devotion (and equally fanatical division), and the ruthless Alia is determined to cement Paul's legacy.
Cue a novella-sized flashback about Paul's childhood, and how he and his friend Bronso of Ix ran away to join the circus... er, the Facedancer Jongleurs. No, seriously.
Unfortunately, Bronso of Ix has since become a sort of idealistic terrorist, disrupting Paul's "funeral" and spreading heretical pamphlets which seek to reveal Paul's flaws and atrocities. Jessica attempts to soften Alia's increasingly ruthless reign as her daughter prepares to marry Duncan Idaho -- but Bronso's determination to kill the legend of Muad'Dib leads to some very big new problems. But is all this Muad'Dib's will?
"The Winds of Dune" is one of those novels that might have been a decent sci-fi read if it had been based on its own universe. But as a Dune story, it seems like glorified fanfiction with a cool cover -- an attempt to fill in various plot points between "Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune," such as Alia's marriage to the ghola Duncan Idaho and the water ceremonies.
There isn't actually much plot in "Winds of Dune" except for Alia's increasingly tyrannical actions, and Jessica's attempts to moderate her loopy attempts to deify Paul. There's a spattering of assassination plots, ceremonies (both official and Fremen), Bene Gesserit evilness, and lots of political wheeling and dealing. But without a pair of hefty flashbacks -- about a Bene Gesserit rebellion and running away to the circus -- it would be a very skinny book.
And sadly Herbert and Anderson don't bring much life to the narrative. There are some touching moments -- such as Stilgar's mystical moment with a sandworm -- but mostly it's an unexciting, flatly-written stretch, filled with weird plot twists that rarely work (guess what: Paul was adored because he used Jongleur hypnosis on EVERYBODY!). Seriously, how did they make explosive assassination attempts and hardcore spice hallucinations into half-page-long, emotionless borefests?
The characters are similarly undeveloped -- while the flashbacks temporarily resurrect beloved characters like Chani, Yueh and Duke Leto, none of them have much personality. Alia is suddenly a two-dimensional, crazy, fanatical brat, and gets engaged to Duncan with little evidence of actual romance. It's like, "Hey Mommy, I'm marrying Duncan! Surprise!"
Jessica is the one major exception, as we see her struggle with her losses, and try to keep the truth about Paul's virtues and flaws alive. Same with some minor supporting characters like the torn Stilgar and grieving Gurney Halleck (whose attraction to Jessica begins to flower).
"The Winds of Dune" is basically an official fanfiction, attempting to add plot in between Frank Herbert's original works -- babies, weddings, and collectible Muad'Dib souvenirs. It simply doesn't work.
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32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed, August 21, 2009
Disclaimer: I am a staunch Dune fan. I acknowledge the differences with FH, and I have enjoyed almost all of the BH/KJA entries so far. I am not just another reviewer who is angry about the later books.
Nevertheless, I was very disappointed in this book.
Minor issue- Style
The writing style is even more immature than in previous entries, the short chapters essentially quick vignettes like watching scenes in a TV program. We are presented with cartoon-style explanations of exactly what people are doing and why. Oh wait, let me say that again, e.x.a.c.t.l.y. what they are doing and why. This is the antithesis of FH, though in his case he was too far the other way (we never really knew what half the characters were thinking, and in some instances, actually saying).
Major issue- Plot and characters
I have no problem accepting new canon (I really liked the House series). That is not the issue. The problem here is that at least two of the major characters (Alia and Duncan) are completely wrong. It is as if, in order to generate conflict, the authors decided to demonize them. Yes, they are the main antagonists in this book. This is not a spoiler-from the beginning, Alia is reduced to predictable tyranny, essentially throwing a childish tantrum throughout the entire book. (In that, she oddly resembles Omnius) Duncan is reduced to her henchman. Neither display compelling intelligence or redeeming qualities. The plot follows this disappointing scenario, as our protagonists strive to sneak around behind Alia's back. Really? That's what this book is about?
Keep in mind, though, that this change of heart for Alia comes BEFORE she starts listening to you-know-who-in-her-head.
So disappointing. While reading it, I was constantly reminded of watching one of those straight-to-DVD Disney "extra" movies, where a second rate cast and composer tell stories that fill in gaps of time in the original blockbuster. A new villain has to be created, strange twists in the characters occur to keep it interesting, and nobody ends up taking it seriously. BH and KJA: I've really enjoyed most of your additions to Dune. I've been a little disappointed in some decisions, but I've stood behind you. Not this time. That's not Alia. You just can't do that. 2 stars.
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64 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
More mind-numbing McDune..., August 10, 2009
I could go on and on and ON AND ON AND FREAKING ON about all the plot inconsistencies and what not of this new book. But I'm not gonna waste my breath. I wrote a detailed review for Sandworms and Paul of Dune. I decided this time around, I'm not going to waste my time going over all the inconsistencies and finer points of BH and KJA ignoring FH's previously established Dune facts, especially when all the flaws of this book have been expounded upon by the other honest reviewers as well as the discussion threads for this book.
I'll just put down the gist of the book. Frank Herbert's characters are nearly unrecognizable, there are spades of BH/KJA characters, and more and more and MORE is retconned. Seems that now with the 'revelation' of FH's Dune books being no longer canon and now being 'in universe' documents (something I find mindboggling. FH's Dune saga as nothing more than some dusty story written by Irulan?) as revealed in Paul of Dune, BH/KJA are now making their retcons more blatant. It's as if the 'FH's Dune is no longer canon' retcon is seen (and abused) as a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. Tsk tsk.
Again, there are shill reviews for this book written by accounts that have only ONE review ever written, or a account with just a few reviews, all praising the McDune or other works by KJA. Surprising? No, especially when the same technique was used for the other BH/KJA McDune books. It's really sad how many shill reviews have been posted blindly praising this book or sounding like the inside flap of a dustjacket. Come on, shills, could you possibly be any more obvious? All of their books are nothing more than 'official' fanfiction at the best, and blatant attempts at milking the cash cow of Frank Herbert's legacy at the worst.
Frank wrote 6 Dune books that spanned 5000 years and had rich and educational messages with well-formed characters and a coherent plot. Things he skipped over - the 12 years of Paul's Jihad, the first 3508 years of Leto II's rule, the 1500 years of Famine Times and the Scattering - were mentioned instead of expounded upon for a reason, because Mr. Herbert put in what he thought was relevant to the overall storyline and the messages/lessons he was giving us (that the universe should not be under one ruler, that seeing everything with prescience wasn't good, that humankind needs to scatter to prevent stagnation - which was why Leto II bred the Siona gene, or what I like to call the 'no-gene' due to the invisibility it shares with no-ships, no-chambers, etc) were all ignored by BH and KJA in their fanfiction.
Except I wouldn't call it FANfiction, because I am a Dune fan, and I respect Frank Herbert's legacy. I did write a couple of oneshot fanfiction based off his books, but I certainly don't expect others to take my tribute to Dune as canon. I wrote these for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others, based off hints left in the Dune books. A true fan shouldn't be afraid to write fanfiction, but at the same time, a true fan would respect the legacy of the author, and I have nothing but the deepest respect for Mr. Herbert.
I am a picky reader and don't even care for Star Wars or Star Trek (not saying I hate them or think they're bad - it's just my preference) and am appalled that now ten McDune books have been written - more than Mr. Herbert did, yet these ten books have so little (or nothing) in relevance, interest, and respect to the universe that Mr. Herbert created. All Mr. Herbert's messages (that I listed above) have been ignored/negated by BH/KJA (The Ultimate Kwisatz Haderach in SADworms of Dune as the prime example) Paul's Jihad was a necessary catalyst to the fate of the Universe, but it was handled poorly in Paul of Dune, and this book is no better than its predecessor.
First prequels, then sequels, now inbetweenquels. I want BH/KJA to stop writing these McDune books, yet I am also curious to see how they handle the next book and what happens with Leto II. I know, I know, it makes me sound like a masochist. But it's like slowing down on the road to get a good look at a car accident - you know there's gonna be wreckage and possibly blood but you can't help but be curious. BH/KJA, please stop! Hasn't all the critical and honest reviews you've already received tell you anything? Please, for the sake of humanity, for the sake of Frank Herbert, for the sake of Spice and the sandworms and the 'I Shall Fear No Evil' mantra, please stop! Go back to your own original writing and leave poor Mr. Herbert alone!
I had a dream. Frank Herbert was crying. I comforted him and noticed that his tears were Spice essence, so I licked them off. Nothing sexual about this, mind you. I wouldn't dream of coming between him and his wife. And the Spice was awesome. I got atop a sandworm and rode it, and it was SO FREAKING COOL. Then the sandworm ate BH and KJA and the stupid Ultimate Kwisatz Haderach and I laughed.
This book (and the rest of McDune) made me cry. But there was no one to lick my tears or comfort me. :(
Frank Herbert, we love and miss you. Let me apologize for these horrible books, you and your legacy deserve much better. <3
Of course, this review was deleted. But I have it saved! :D And I'll just keep posting. Hello, Ronald and Artis and Dukester and everyone else! I love you guys!
(EDIT) If there is one thing I have learned from all this McDune drama, it's this. If you're an author, then put it in your will or whatever that NOBODY may "add" to your books (unless you trust them very well and have some sort of agreement with them - and if you do, make them sign a contract saying they will only write x number of books, and cannot recon your work). Currently I am writing several novels (including sci-fi) and I am going to hire a lawyer to write a iron-clad will that will not allow anyone else, including my own family members, to "use" my notes/outlines to write books in the universes that I create. If I die early in some freak accident and a book is unfinished... too bad. I'd be willing to allow a posthumous publication of my notes, unfinished stories, and outlines for others to enjoy and ponder, but that's beyond the point.
Yes, I was sad that FH was unable to write Dune 7, but looking at what his son and so-called number one fan did only confirms my decision to take legal actions regarding my own works to ensure that this kind of BS never happens to my legacy.
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