Heretics of Dune Book Review
The Spice Flows Again
I finished reading Heretics of Dune, the fifth book in the Dune series by Frank Herbert. As with the rest of the books in the series, I really enjoyed it. Otherwise, why would I still be reading right?
The Spice Flows Again
Anyway, Heretics of Dune jumps forward in the Dune timeline, long after the God Emperor Leto II is dead and the empire he left behind is past. Arrakis is now Rakis, some of the same factions exist like the Bene Gesserit, Bene Tleilax, Ixians, and the Rakian Priesthood. But now there are new factions coming back after The Scattering that followed the fall of the God Emperor.
All of that leads to a considerable amount of drama and intrigue. This time, every group is making strange alliances, backstabbing, and pretty much fighting the whole time.
Heretics Of Dune felt a lot more like the first book to me. Danger is around every corner. The world feels more alien and sci-fi at times than in previous books. Some crazy ideas are explored.
Enjoying Dune’s Magic
Most of all this book is a fun read. Once it gets moving, it goes and goes. I appreciated the return to telling an entertaining story. The book has mystery, action, suspense. It’s great!
By the end of Heretics Of Dune, so many threads came together that I wasn't 100% sure how it would all resolve itself. Again, that felt a lot more like the first Dune book than the later books.
I enjoyed the characters in this book quite a bit more than in previous books. They felt different and new compared to the last couple books. The first four books in the series relied heavily on people and ideas going back to the first book. Heretics Of Dune doesn’t. That is a welcome change.
At this point I've got one last book in the proper Dune series that was written by Frank Herbert. After that the books were taken over by his son and another author. At this point there might be more "expanded universe" dune books than the original. I have no idea if they retain the quality or not. Right now I will probably stop after book six and move on to another different book series.
So, only one Dune book left to go (for now).
Other Random Thoughts...
I'm glad the series moves on beyond Paul Atreides and his family
I'm glad the series moves on beyond prescience to drive the story
The Dune “book formula” changed in a good way
Feels like the Dune story arc was coming to a close and the series doesn’t need to be much longer.
Making Dune movies beyond book one or two of this series would be difficult
Final Thoughts
Overall, it Heretics Of Dune felt like an enjoyable story to sort of end one Dune era and begin another. If you get into the Dune books, I think it's worth reading through at least this far into the series.
Verdict: Excellent if you enjoy the Dune series
-Brian