Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

Dune: Legends of Dune, Book 1

By: Kevin J Anderson, Brian Herbert

Narrated by: Scott Brick

One hundred and ten centuries from now, humanity has spread across space. And all-powerful machines rule the humans who were once their masters.

It began in the Time of Tyrants, when ambitious men and women used high-powered computers to seize control of the heart of the Old Empire including Earth itself. The tyrants translated their brains into mobile mechanical bodies and created a new race, the immortal man-machine hybrids called cymeks. Then the cymeks' world-controlling planetary computers - each known as Omnius - seized control from their overlords and 1,000 years of brutal rule by the thinking machines began. But their world faces disaster. Impatient with human beings' endless disobedience and the cymeks' continual plotting to regain their power, Omnius has decided that it no longer needs them. Only victory can save the human race from extermination.

©2002 Herbert Enterprises LLC (P)2002 Macmillan Audio and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of the continuation of his vision." (Dean Koontz)

Machine brutality

A fascinating story with enticing characters filled with detailed story lines that were easy enough to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend.

A disappointingly simple story

If you enjoyed the deep contemplations, multi-layered schemes, and rich characters of the Frank Herbert’s books, you will be sorely disappointed in his son’s work.

The plot of the book pretty much boils down to three main plots - machines dumb humans smart, slavery is bad, and everyone loves Serena.

The author makes a big deal of humans being unpredictable, while the characters are doing the most predictable things ever, with machines somehow being flabbergasted every single time. It feels like either the author’s knowledge is very limited on the subject, or the plot is targeted at a young audience. Same goes for the characters - there is decent character development for some, but most felt fairly one dimensional most of the time, especially the villains. The Titans are like a group of villains the justice league would fight, being cartoonishly evil and each having their special flair. And ofc, the love story of Serena - we can’t have a good sci-fi novel without some steamy romance, can we. Though the ending to that was fairly interesting, be it kinda ridiculous if you think about it.

All in all, the book wasn’t bad per se - it would make a great movie in my opinion. But it pales in comparison to its predecessors, and as a fan of the series, it left me disappointed.