The breathtaking vision and incomparable storytelling of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's Dune: The Butlerian Jihad, a prequel to Frank H...
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reviews
Feb 07, 2008
Dufour
rated it: 
This book makes me want to scrub my brain with a brillo pad to get it out.
Having established that Herbert & Anderson are just PLOT VOMITTING things out by now instead of telling a good story, this volume of the Butlerian Jihad trilogy features all your favorite hints of amateur writing. We have random skips through time, checking in on characters whenever the authors get too lazy to finish their stories. We have random character deaths after pointless circumstances in which you've in More...
Having established that Herbert & Anderson are just PLOT VOMITTING things out by now instead of telling a good story, this volume of the Butlerian Jihad trilogy features all your favorite hints of amateur writing. We have random skips through time, checking in on characters whenever the authors get too lazy to finish their stories. We have random character deaths after pointless circumstances in which you've in More...
Jun 14, 2011
Jimmy
rated it: 
It does take some time for this book to get going and by the second half it becomes just as interesting a read as its predecessor. Don’t discourage and stick with it because it gets so much better and more is revealed about the Dune universe. ‘The Machine Crusade’ jumps ahead from the end of ‘The Butlerian Jihad’ to the years at the middle of the war against the thinking machines.
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Aug 17, 2010
Johnny
rated it: 
As much as I dislike “epic” fiction where the cast of characters is longer than the credited cameo appearances in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” I seem to keep coming back to the enthralled, mummified forms of Frank Herbert’s Dune as they are commanded by the necromantic chroniclers of the latest Dune novels (more accurately, prequels), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert. The experience isn’t the same, the ecological gospel not as clear and the novelty long since displaced, but there is som
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Nov 07, 2009
John
rated it:
*Same review for the Dune Universe*
GREAT books! VERY time consuming! Worth the time!
Ok here is the deal. If your not sure about starting a series this big, here is what I would do.
1. -- Read the 1st one by Frank Herbert "Dune" if you like it...
2. -- Read the "Legends Of Dune" series. Its 3 books written by Frank's son Brian and a author I really like by the name of Keven J. Anderson. Its a prequel that is so far in the past that it doesn't spoil More...
GREAT books! VERY time consuming! Worth the time!
Ok here is the deal. If your not sure about starting a series this big, here is what I would do.
1. -- Read the 1st one by Frank Herbert "Dune" if you like it...
2. -- Read the "Legends Of Dune" series. Its 3 books written by Frank's son Brian and a author I really like by the name of Keven J. Anderson. Its a prequel that is so far in the past that it doesn't spoil More...
Mar 09, 2011
Edward
rated it:
3 out of 5 Stars
Dune: The Machine Crusade is very much a “space opera” as opposed to the science fiction feel of the original dune books. Brian Herbert II tries very hard to fit a lot of plotline and action into this novel but falls short in most departments. The storyline is atypical- buildup, climax, twist, buildup climax, twist; but doesn’t fail to keep you entertained you entranced with the story.
However Brian Herbert II doesn’t go into depth with any one part of the plot. The ch More...
Dune: The Machine Crusade is very much a “space opera” as opposed to the science fiction feel of the original dune books. Brian Herbert II tries very hard to fit a lot of plotline and action into this novel but falls short in most departments. The storyline is atypical- buildup, climax, twist, buildup climax, twist; but doesn’t fail to keep you entertained you entranced with the story.
However Brian Herbert II doesn’t go into depth with any one part of the plot. The ch More...
Aug 10, 2011
AARRGH! I am stuck in a series. I usually despise a series where knowing beforehand that there WILL be loose ends to be tied up ONLY by progressing from book to book. Same in this case, and it seems that unless I go on and finish reading (SIC) Battle for Corrin, I will be stuck. To be totally honest, I have been listening to this as an audio book, and I DO find it entertaining. I am still able to follow both the story line(s) as well as what character development as there is.Beef 1 - Character d
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Feb 09, 2011
Wilson
rated it:
The book is not that good. I read it for the sake of understanding the events that happened before Dune.
I really had a hard time convincing myself that the political events in the book happened as they have without scrutiny from the society. Had these events happened in reality, a large deal of scrutiny would ensue. Another problem is that, the setting of the story is the universe so it is hard for me to fathom how events in the story had become critical points (How large was the Thinking More...
I really had a hard time convincing myself that the political events in the book happened as they have without scrutiny from the society. Had these events happened in reality, a large deal of scrutiny would ensue. Another problem is that, the setting of the story is the universe so it is hard for me to fathom how events in the story had become critical points (How large was the Thinking More...
Jul 07, 2011
Benjamin
rated it:
I started to read this book immediately after finishing the first in the series, The Butlerian Jihad.
The book starts off about 30 years after the first one, and moves forward pretty rapidly from there. Many of the characters are carried over from the first novel, but adapted and changed by the events that have occurred. Some characters become more sympathetic, one character in particular goes from being a likable hero into an absolute monster. The events in this book are interesting More...
The book starts off about 30 years after the first one, and moves forward pretty rapidly from there. Many of the characters are carried over from the first novel, but adapted and changed by the events that have occurred. Some characters become more sympathetic, one character in particular goes from being a likable hero into an absolute monster. The events in this book are interesting More...
Jun 14, 2011
Jimmy
rated it:
It does take some time for this book to get going and by the second half it becomes just as interesting a read as its predecessor. Don’t discourage and stick with it because it gets so much better and more is revealed about the Dune universe. ‘The Machine Crusade’ jumps ahead from the end of ‘The Butlerian Jihad’ to the years at the middle of the war against the thinking machines.
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Apr 11, 2010
Darrell
rated it:
This trilogy takes place a thousand years before Frank Herbert's original Dune novel. To set the stage, a thousand years before this novel opens, thinking machines (with the help of machines with human brains called cymeks) conquer several planets and enslaved humanity. Now, the humans are finally ready to fight back.
Unlike the Dune House Trilogy in which all characters are either purely good or purely bad, the Legends of Dune Trilogy introduces moral ambiguity. The humans aren't all More...
Unlike the Dune House Trilogy in which all characters are either purely good or purely bad, the Legends of Dune Trilogy introduces moral ambiguity. The humans aren't all More...
May 20, 2011
Andy
rated it:
Rarely can I sustain interest in a story for as long as I have with this Dune trilogy. Close to 700 pages in this book after 600 in the previous book. What to say? The Jihad continues. Iblis, having escaped the Mechanized Worlds, proves to be in it only for himself. Serena is clueless too. Seems realistic, actually. Once again, so much happening that some things seem to get short shrift. The Titans break from Omnius, 2 more Titans get destroyed but, to make up for it, maybe, Serena, Xavi
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Jun 14, 2011
Jimmy
rated it:
It does take some time for this book to get going and by the second half it becomes just as interesting a read as its predecessor. Don’t discourage and stick with it because it gets so much better and more is revealed about the Dune universe. ‘The Machine Crusade’ jumps ahead from the end of ‘The Butlerian Jihad’ to the years at the middle of the war against the thinking machines.
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Erasmus struggles to maintain his individuality and places a bet with Omnius that’ll lead to the first Menta More...
Nov 18, 2010
Matthew
rated it:
Pretty good. I felt this one did a better job than The Butlerian Jihad with developing things and not just letting them happen(except for one totally random kidnapping in the middle to create a big, previously completely undeveloped story arc).
The authors need to figure out a new way to write romances in this series. All the main characters who fall in love follow the exact same pattern. They love someone, they lose them, then they start loving someone else, but will never forget thei More...
The authors need to figure out a new way to write romances in this series. All the main characters who fall in love follow the exact same pattern. They love someone, they lose them, then they start loving someone else, but will never forget thei More...
Jan 23, 2010
Lychee
rated it:
This turned out to be a quite satisfying read. One learns the origins of the Bene Gesserit and gets some clues to the origins of the Navigators.
A primary (and on-going quibble) is the authors' treatment of women. The strongest women serve mostly as figureheads, excuses for plot-points and/or are generally unable to have happy relationships. The male characters all find biddable, sacrificing women to balance their lives and soothe their souls. Gah.
The main benefit is l More...
A primary (and on-going quibble) is the authors' treatment of women. The strongest women serve mostly as figureheads, excuses for plot-points and/or are generally unable to have happy relationships. The male characters all find biddable, sacrificing women to balance their lives and soothe their souls. Gah.
The main benefit is l More...
Jul 31, 2011
Conor
rated it:
I'm caught between saying this was bad because it can't stand alone, and saying that it's good because I knew ahead of time that it would just be a continuation of a story I like. I suppose with series like this, this sort of ho-hum-ery will happen, but there were a few times I almost wasn't excited to keep reading.
May 20, 2009
William
rated it:
Enough to interest any fan of the Dune series. The saga continues, but it can be read without previous knowledge. Exceptional perhaps in the way that it can actually cause the reader to sympathize (occasionally) with the Thinking Machines in the continuing struggle against the both heroic and dastardly humans.
May 28, 2009
nooker
rated it: 
I keep hoping that these later written books are worth the read. They are not. Often they aren't even really on the topic of the title. This one was just a rambling "history" without any real plot. Even when one of the characters looses their life mate, no emotional response & she was human.
Jan 12, 2012
Matthew
rated it: 
Definitely my favorite of the three part series. Erasmus really becomes a main character on this one and shows how truly despicable the machines can be. The beginnings of the sword masters and the spice navigation, slave uprising, all very interesting and awesome.
May 11, 2009
Tom
rated it:
These books are interesting. But they're not nearly as well written or deep as Frank Herbert's and frankly there are inconsistencies with the main Dune books. That shouldn't be, since the only reason for these is to flesh out the back story.
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May 06, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
I liked this book in SPITE of Brian Herbert, not because of him. This is probably the best Dune book you are going to find from Brian Herbert. The story is interesting and he does a competent job of telling it.
Nov 25, 2011
Anna
rated it:
similar impression as with 1st book in series - interesting and enjoyable. My main occupation by reading was finding links between this book and original Dune. Good but not outstanding.
Jul 31, 2011
Charlie
rated it:
Everything Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson have written to continue & expand upon what Brian's father, Frank created has been great. This one lives up to the Dune standard.
May 12, 2009
Linda
rated it:
What an exciting read! I really enjoyed the portions with the human experimentation on the machine world. What a curiously 'human' machine they had performing his studies.
Aug 25, 2009
Mike
rated it:
The 2nd book in the series didn't get much better on re-reading either :(
I know most Dune fans probably had their own ideas about what/how the machine crusades went down, but I don't think I would have ever set it up this way. The series just feels like a giant game of connect the dots, going from point A to B without really adding anything to the mythology. What made Dune so compelling was the politics, economics, and believability of the characters' motivations (especially when you More...
I know most Dune fans probably had their own ideas about what/how the machine crusades went down, but I don't think I would have ever set it up this way. The series just feels like a giant game of connect the dots, going from point A to B without really adding anything to the mythology. What made Dune so compelling was the politics, economics, and believability of the characters' motivations (especially when you More...
Nov 12, 2010
Antoine
rated it:
The Machine Crusade is a fine addition to the Dune cycle. Much is revealed about the early days of the Fremen, the seminal origins of the Space Guild and the evolution of the women of Rossak into the Bene Gesserit. The torch is passed from the first generation of the Butlerian Jihad, but to who? The Machine Crusade takes us to the precipice, leaving subtle references to what is to come in the 10,000 year chronicle of Dune. The Machine Crusade leaves one curious about these interim developments,
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Jul 28, 2011
Again, this whole prequel isn't as solid as it could have been. Too long and lacking in substance.
Nov 14, 2010
Takim
rated it:
Some trilogies have a weak second book, but the Machine Crusade was better than the Butlerian Jihad. I love all the connections between this book and the original Frank Herbert Dune Chronicles. Can't wait to read the third book
Feb 13, 2009
Don
rated it:
As I read this book, most of time I was thinking it is ok but not great. However, I got near the end I begin to appreciate how the story developed and resolved in the end. Frank Herbert was an extraordinary author and created a scifi realm that has occupied a far amount of my reading time. Brian has done a great job keeping the story and saga alive.
