#69 - The Machine Crusade by Brian Herbert

Brian Herbert is the son of famous Dune Author Frank Herbert. After Frank Herbert's death, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson took the story notes and outlines that he had left behind and began to write prequels to the Dune series.

The Machine Crusade is the 2nd book in the Legends of Dune trilogy. The human race is fighting a Jihad against a race of thinking machines that have taken over the known universe, led by a computer evermind called Omnius. This trilogy also gives the beginning background of the major families in the Dune saga, and the development of certain key planets like Arrakis and Corrin.

There are those who don't like Brian Herbert's Dune books because his writing style differs from his father, but I disagree. I like the background information that comes from these prequel books, and I'm eager to read the 3rd book to find out the ultimate fate of some of the key characters. The writing style is different, but I don't mind it. I find Brian Herbert's writing much less tedious than his father's, and the storyline is much less convoluted than the core Dune books.

Following this Jihad Trilogy is another trilogy of Prequel books, the House Trilogy, which gives the history and background of the 3 major families in the Dune Saga: House Atredies, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino. The House trilogy was also written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

50 Book Challenge 2007: 49/50