Read the Legends of Dune series first, as this combines the ongoing story from the original series (picking up pretty much where Chapterhouse ends) with the pre-pre-history stuff from Brian Herbers/Kevin Anderson’s earlier attempt at writing in the Dune universe.

Hunters is actually better written than the Legends book, although obviously struggles to live up to Frank Herbert’s originals. However, after wading through the rather patchy Legends, this one does flow a lot better, and overall it is nice to pick up with the unfinished story.

I’ve read all of Frank Herbert’s Dune stories and, unfortunately, all of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Dune stories. The latter definitely do not hold up to the originals. Herbert Sr.’s Dune was a discussion on religion, politics, economics, environmental stewardship, the human condition and more. Herbert the Younger’s stories lack any of this depth and are cut from the vapid mold of space operas like Star Wars. That is to say this is not The Worst Story Ever Told, just The Worst Possible Conclusion to Dune (Part 1).