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The Machine Crusade (Dune series) by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson Tor, September, 2003. Hardcover, 624 pages. ISBN: 076530158X Author Interview: Click here Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Twenty-four years have passed since the events
described in The Butlerian Jihad, the earliest
of the Dune prequels written by Brian Herbert
and Kevin Anderson. The war against the thinking
machines and their leader, the Omnius Evermind,
rages on, killing millions of humans. Serena
Butler, the murder of whose son Manion by the
robot Erasmus sparked the human rebellion, is still
the spiritual leader of the humans, although she spends
much of her time in seclusion, being manipulated by
former slave foreman and self-proclaimed political
guru, Iblis Ginjo. Vor Atreides and Xavier Harkonnen
lead the human fleet and display great courage and
intelligence in their defeats of the machines. But it never
seems to be enough to win the war. So when Omnius makes
a surprising offer of peace, Serena Butler is given a terrible
choice to make. Meanwhile, the brilliant physicist Norma
Cava is about to make her discovery that will change
the world -- she will discover how to fold space time.
And on the desert planet of Arrakis, Selim Wormrider
carries on his own jihad to stop the government of Arrakis
from exporting the addictive spice mélange to off-worlders.
For Selim's visions tell him that, unless he stops the trade,
Dune and the giant sandworms will be destroyed forever.
Stepping into Frank Herbert's world and providing the pre-history for the original Dune series is an ambitious project, one which Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) are well-equipped to handle. The scope of The Machine Crusades is vast, but the authors skillfully take multiple plotlines and weave them together in an exciting mix: Serena Butler's heartbreak and bravery, Norma Cava's brilliance, Xavier Harkonnen's ambition and regrets, Vor Atreides' charm and intelligence, Iblis' evil plotting and the horrifyingly evil Erasmus are all vividly portrayed with real, heartfelt emotion. As the rest of the galaxy begins to learn about the addictive spice mélange, the stakes are about to be raised when Norma's breakthrough in space travel occurs. Anderson and Herbert explore themes of artificial intelligence, ethics in science, politics, religion, freedom, slavery and the power of love, against the backdrop of a rousing good adventure. This is a must-have for Dune fans. For those who never entered the Dune universe, by all means, pick up a copy of The Butlerian Jihad to see how it all started. But a warning is in order: like the spice mélange, this series is addictive. --Claire E. White Reprinted with permission from The Internet Writing Journal®. Copyright © 1997-2011 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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