If you like the previous Dune Prequels, than you'll probably like this, too

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	• Sandworms of Dune Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson Tor Books, 2007 - 496 pages average customer review:based on 127 reviews view larger image
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Not nearly as compelling as its predecesor, but still finishes strong.

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.

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Interesting, but doesn't feel like a Dune novel should

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.

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If you like the previous Dune Prequels, than you'll probably like this, too

I am quite torn when it comes to comparing the expanded Dune Universe as imagined by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson...on the one hand, taken entirely alone without comparing the books to the incomparable Frank Herberts works, they are actually entertaining and worthwhile reads...I believe, and I could be wrong here, but it seems to me that for a large number of reviewers, they simply cannot separate these new novels with the writing style of Frank. Let me be honest, when the first expanded novel came out, I was pretty harsh--at first. I can't say what it was that helped me to come around, but somehow I did.

Now that ISN'T saying that I consider Brian and Kevin the Second Coming of Sci Fi greatness--nope. I'm just trying my best to give an honest review, based on how I view the storylines. It's similar to comparing the late Robert Ludlum to Eric Van Lustbader who has started writing Jason Bourne novels--when compared directly with Ludlum's novels, they fall rather flat...however, when taken individually on their own merits, I found that I enjoyed them much more.

The additions of Dune Characters from old was a bit of a surprise for me, and I have to admit that I enjoyed their inclusion quite a bit more by the end of the novel than I at first thought I would. I can see some VERY valid points regarding plot holes (some large enough for a Sandworm to slither through...) identified by some reviewers, as well. My problem is that with some sci fi series, if the plot doesn't hold water, I get mighty upset--and yet with others, I don't seem to care nearly as much--if at all. Can't say why, either. I think that these new Dune novels bring out the part of me that doesn't care as much--again, don't know why, but I just can't invest that much of my time worrying about stuff like this (and yet I lose sleep over the dumbest things, so take it for what its worth).

I have to say that overall, in the novels I have read by Kevin J. Anderson, with the possible exception of his Star Wars books, I've found his writing to be decent enough, and I don't think I've read anything by Brian (other than these Dune prequels) so I can't comment much on his talent, other than to say, for MY money, I found myself thrilled at re-entering the world so incredibly created by Frank Herbert all those years ago. I also agree with one reviewer who lost more interest with each of Franks Dune releases...I just kept hoping that he'd re-capture the magic of the original 1st three books, and in my opinion, it just never happened. That isn't to say that I didn't enjoy them, just not as much. Let's face it, Franks worst writing is better than the vast majority of the best works by most Sci Fi authors--and that includes ALL of them (just MY opinion).

Suffice it to say that if you did not enjoy the other KJA and BH expanded Dune novels, you simply will not like this one--however, if you DID like them, I honestly believe you will find a lot to enjoy here as well. Take that into consideration, and I think you will be a little better off. Hope this helps!

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