Series: Dune
Authors: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Released: 2001
Rating: 4.5/6
Basic Plot:
Throughout the Dune novels, Frank Herbert frequently referred to the long-ago war in which humans wrested their freedom from "thinking machines." Now, in Dune: Butlerian Jihad, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson bring to life the story of that war, a tale previously seen only in tantalizing hints and clues. Finally, we see how Serena Butler's passionate grief ignites the war that will liberate humans from their machine masters. We learn the circumstances of the betrayal that made mortal enemies of House Atreides and House Harkonnen; and we experience the Battle of Corrin that created a galactic empire that lasted until the reign of Emperor Shaddam IV.
Herein are the foundations of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the Suk Doctors, the Order of Mentats, and the mysteriously altered Navigators of the Spacing Guild. Here is the amazing tale of the Zensunni Wanderers, who escape bondage to flee to the desert world where they will declare themselves the Free Men of Dune. And here is the backward, nearly forgotten planet of Arrakis, where traders have discovered the remarkable properties of the spice melange . . . .
Ten thousand years before the events of Dune, humans have managed to battle the remorseless Machines to a standstill . . . but victory may be short-lived. Yet amid shortsighted squabbling between nobles, new leaders have begun to emerge. Among them are Xavier Harkonnen, military leader of the Planet of Salusa Secundus; Xavier's fiancée, Serena Butler, an activist who will become the unwilling leader of millions; and Tio Holtzman, the scientist struggling to devise a weapon that will help the human cause. Against the brute efficiency of their adversaries, these leaders and the human race have only imagination, compassion, and the capacity for love. It will have to be enough.
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The Introduction of Erasmus
I really adore this character. I guess I have a soft spot for robots trying to understand humanity. He isn't a good character, though, as he kills and mutilates humans in his search for knowledge. In his defense he doesn't see these actions as wrong. He is limited by his programming and has to follow it while still trying to learn to be human. Mind you, I wouldn't want to stay with him just in case his curiosity ended with me dead.
Hubris
Tio Holtzman is regarded as a savant. However, he prefers the lifestyle fame gets him rather than the actual science. This has the problem of him never really having someone critique his work. Once someone says he isn't perfect he gets angry at them. Norma Cenva becomes his assistant due to her talent, but Holtzman begins to loathe her when she starts trying to correct him.
Selim Wormrider
Selim is kicked out of the tribe he lives in. Because he is an orphan, when the leader of the tribe needed someone blamed, he chose Selim. Selim was only supposed to last a few days, at most, but ends up learning how to ride the giant sandworms. He is the first wormrider! It is awesome!
Final Thoughts
One of the characters I really learned to enjoy was Erasmus. I also liked Iblis Gingo but as is later revealed...he's good for getting a revolution started but has to be controlled when it actually gets going. He is a coward who is like Holtzman in that he really only does what he does for power and fame. I also really enjoyed Seurat and Vorian's interactions. Showing a side of machines that not all our out just to kill.
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