Kevin J. Anderson – Page 8

In conjunction with the next Kick-Ass Mystic Nin…

Wednesday, March 22, 2006Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Jesse Willis

News

In conjunction with the next Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas Podcast (set to be recorded this coming weekend) we’re giving you the complete and total rundown of every Dune related audiotape and audio CD that we know of, it is a very long list and it continues to grow.

The Original Dune Books by Frank Herbert:
There are six original Dune novels by Frank Herbert, all of which have been produced in UNABRIDGED editions. The first novel has been released three times, with three different readers. All subsequent novels in the original six book series have been released only once and are now out of print and very costly to purchase.

Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by George Guidall
16 Casettes – 24 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Recorded Books LLC
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0788763334
[CLICK HERE FOR OUR REVIEW]
Arguably the best reading of Dune ever recorded. George Guidall is a master narrator.

Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Scott Brick
18 Cassettes or 22 CDs – Approx. 27 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 2002
ISBN: 0736689591 (cassettes), 0736692401 (CDs)
The original masterwork as performed by Scott Brick, an excellent reader. This edition also includes the complete appendices and the “Terminology of the Imperium” sections. This edition also won the AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award.

Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
13 Cassettes – 19.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 073663763X
This is the earlier Books On Tape edition, Connor O’Brien’s performance is probably the least popular of the three UNABRIDGED audio editions of Dune released so far. This is out of print and very hard to find.

Dune Messiah
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
6 Cassettes – Approx. 9 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 0736640185
The immediate sequel to Dune. This is out of print and very hard to find.

Children Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
? Cassettes – ? Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 0736640193
Third book in the original Dune sequence. This is out of print and very hard to find.

God Emperor Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
10 Cassettes – Approx. 15 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736644229
Fourth book in the original Dune series. This is out of print and very hard to find.

Heretics Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by John Edwardson
14 Cassettes – Approx. 21 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736654534
Book five in the original Dune series. This is out of print and very hard to find.

Chapterhouse: Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by John Edwardson
? Cassettes – ? Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736643443
The last of the original Dune books written by Frank Herbert. This is out of print and very hard to find.

The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson “Prelude To Dune” Books:
A series of three novels set in the years leading up to the momentous events of Dune. These were the first new Dune books since Chapterhouse: Dune.

Dune: House Atredies
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 1999
ISBN: 0553526650
The first of the three prequel novels by Frank Herbert’s son Brian and SF author Kevin J. Anderson.

Dune: House Harkonnen
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 2000
ISBN: 0553526669
The second of the three prequel novels.

Dune: House Corrino
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 2001
ISBN: 0553526677
The third of the three prequel novels.

The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson “Legends of Dune” Books:
The LEGENDS OF DUNE trilogy details the saga preceding the Dune prequels. Set well before the events of the Original Dune series.

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad,
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
14 Cassettes or 20 CDs – 22 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2002
ISBN: 1559277548 (Cassettes), 1559277556 (CDs)
First of the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.

Dune: The Machine Crusade
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
16 Cassettes or 22 CDs – 22 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2003
ISBN: 1559279443 (Cassettes), 1559279451 (CDs)
Second in the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.

Dune: The Battle of Corrin
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson: Read by Scott Brick
16 Cassettes or 22 CDs – 25 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2004
ISBN: 1593974248 (Cassettes), 1593974256 (CDs)
Third and concluding book in the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.
Both cassette and CD editions feature an interview with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson Sequel Novels:
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have recently announced plans to write and release two Dune sequel novels. The first of which will be set after Chapterhouse Dune. Here are the details as we know them…

Hunters of Dune
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by ????
20 CDs – 24.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: (ANNOUNCED FORTHCOMING – Tuesday, August 22, 2006)
ISBN: 1593979754

Sandworms Of Dune
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by ???
Publisher: Audio Renaissance ???
Published: Tentatively scheduled for publication in 2007
ISBN: ???

Dune Audio Extras:
In addition to those “extras” listed below there have been several music soundtrack releases and kids movie-tie in releases related to the David Lynch Dune film and the two Sci-Fi Channel Dune miniseries.

Dune: An Interview with Frank Herbert and David Lynch
1 Cassette – 1 Hour [INTERVIEW]
ISBN: 0681308958
Date Published: 1983
Published by Waldentapes
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REVIEW]
This is long out of print and very hard to find.

The Road To Dune
By Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
8 Cassettes or 12 CDs – 14 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: September 2005
ISBN: 1593978235 (Cassettes), 159397776X (CDs)
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REVIEW]
An intriguing collection of Dune “extras” that should please any fan of Frank Herbert. It includes:
-A short novel Spice Planet by Frank Herbert (a prototype of the original Dune)
-Deleted Scenes and Alternate endings from Dune and Dune Messiah.
-Letters and notes from Frank Herbert from the time when he was trying to get Dune published.
-Four short stories by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson:
1. “Whisper of Caladan Seas”
2. “Hunting Harkonnens”
3. “Whipping Mek”
4. “Faces of a Martyr”

Sandworms of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 41 Minutes 10 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1978
Product #: TC 1565
This is long out of print and very hard to find.

Dune: The Banquet Scene
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 53 Minutes 34 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1555
This is long out of print and very hard to find.

The Battles of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 62 Minutes 20 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1601
This was re-released on a single cassette in 1994 by Harper Audio.

The Truths of Dune: Fear is the Mind Killer
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 45 Minutes 1 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1616
This was re-released on a single cassette in 1994 by Harper Audio.

The Dune Collection
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
4 Cassettes – Approx. 3 Hours 22 Minutes [UNABRIDGED EXERPTS]
Publisher: Harper Audio (Caedmon Audio)
Published: 1994
ISBN: 1559949570
This is a collection of four late-1970s LPs reissued in one package. Each key excerpt is melded with connective text written by Frank Herbert specifically for these recordings. The LPs were titled: Dune: The Banquet Scene, Sandworms Of Dune, The Battles Of Dune and The Truths of Dune: Fear Is The Mind Killer.

posted by Jesse Willis

MechMuse is a new "audio magazine" publishing …

Thursday, January 26, 2006Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Jesse Willis

Online Audio

Mech Muse

MechMuse is a new “audio magazine” publishing short stories, serialized novels, columns and interviews, all in the audio format. Each monthly issue is set to include between ten and fifteen hours of “fresh” Science Fiction and Fantasy content which will be downloadable onto an iPod or any other portable audio player. Short stories will be drawn from both new and established authors, novels will all come from “best-selling” authors. MechMuse’s debut issue (March 2006) issue is set to be released at MechMuse.com on Feb. 15th 2006. It will feature a short story After a Lean Winter and the audio novel On My Way to Paradise both by David Farland as well as feature works by Kevin J. Anderson. Other contributions include The Second Rat by David Barr Kirtley and more tales by the likes of Richard Raleigh and Edmund Schubert. Subscriptions cost $5 per month, or $25 for six months. There’s also a special coupon available that’ll give you a $1.00 discount off the first issue too!

posted by Jesse Willis

Here are the New Releases for September – a fine l…

Thursday, September 15, 2005Sunday, January 3, 2010 admin

Here are the New Releases for September – a fine looking bunch of audiobooks, I must say…

Anansi Boys
By Neil Gaiman; Read by Lenny Henry
Harper Audio, Unabridged
The sequel to American Gods – can’t wait!

Dragonflight
By Anne McCaffrey; Read by Dick Hill
Brilliance Audio, Unabridged
This is a mass market re-release of this title, now available on CD and MP3-CD

The Road to Dune
By Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson
Read by Scott Brick
Audio Renaissance, Unabridged
Click here for the SFFAudio Review!

Speaker for the Dead
By Orson Scott Card; Read by Various
Audio Renaissance, Unabridged
Click here for the SFFAudio Review!

Star Wars: The Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen
By Troy Denning; Read by Jonathan Davis
Random House Audio, Abridged

The Warrior’s Apprentice
By Lois McMaster Bujold; Read by Grover Gardner
Blackstone Audio, Unabridged
Available on cassette, CD, and MP3-CD
This is the second Vorkosigan novel released by Blackstone.

Thud!
By Terry Pratchett; Read by Stephen Briggs
Harper Audio, Unabridged
The latest Discworld novel.

To be included in our monthly New Releases post, please contact Scott or Jesse. We’d be happy to include your audio, as long as it is genre related.

Review of The Road to Dune by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson

Sunday, September 4, 2005Sunday, March 27, 2011 Scott D.

SFFaudio Review

The Road to Dune
By Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
12 CD’s – 14 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: JUST RELEASED – September 2005
ISBN: 159397776X
Themes: / Science Fiction / Dune / Desert / Religion / Commentary / Journal / Short Fiction /

In a sentence, The Road to Dune is an intriguing collection of Dune “extras” that should please any fan of Frank Herbert. Including myself.

A quick background on me as far as Dune goes – I read the first novel once, then listened to George Guidall’s unabridged narration of the same book. I also heard The Butlerian Jihad, which was written by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert’s son) and Kevin J. Anderson. I mention all this so that you can know my level of Dune knowledge – I am by no means an expert. With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, as you may know, have continued Frank Herbert’s Dune series by adding two trilogies of prequels to Herbert’s existing books. They’ve consulted notes that Frank Herbert left behind, and the opening of this book explains that to some degree. Bill Ransom, who collaborated with Frank Herbert on a few books, also weighs in, describing his writing life with Frank.

Next up is a short novel called Spice Planet which represents the first version of Dune, or what Dune could have been. The novel is certainly better, but Dune World was also engaging and interesting from the perspective of a person who has read the novel (what’s different, what’s the same) and as a very good story in its own right.

Also included are deleted scenes and alternate endings from Dune and Dune, Messiah, letters and notes from Frank Herbert during the time he was trying to get Dune published. Especially interesting are some letters to and from John W. Campbell, Jr., the editor of Analog Science Fiction Magazine, which serialized the first Dune novel, but declined the second one.

Four short stories by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are here, too. The first, “Whisper of Caladan Seas” was originally published in Amazing Science Fiction and takes place during the first Dune novel. The other three, “Hunting Harkonnens”, “Whipping Mek”, and “Faces of a Martyr” are set in the prequel times that Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson write about in their trilogies. They are very good stories, all.

Scott Brick narrated, and I am reminded why I enjoy him so much. His narration is energetic, dramatic, and powerful, but never over the top. I never tire of his rich voice and the believable, living characters he performs.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book on several levels. For a person writing a thick tome of a science fiction novel, this glimpse into Herbert’s process is very educational. For a fan of Dune, this look into what could have been is very entertaining. For a fan interested in the history science fiction, the correspondence between Campbell and Herbert and the story of the novel’s purchase and publication by Chilton are pure gold. And for a fan of good stories, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

Posted by Scott D. Danielson

Review of Scattered Suns: The Saga of the Seven Suns Book 4 by Kevin J. Anderson

Monday, August 15, 2005Sunday, October 4, 2009 Scott D.

Scattered Suns: The Saga of the Seven Suns Book 4
By Kevin J. Anderson, Read by David Colacci
17 CDs, 20 hours – [UNABRIDGED]
ISBN:
Pub Date: 2005
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Themes: / Science Fiction / Space Opera / War / Aliens / Space Travel /

I made up what I thought was the science fiction equivalent to a Robert Jordan epic. It’s a huge galactic war with several alien races, lots of politics, characters that are all up and down the spectrum from kings to slimebucket used spaceship salesmen.
— Kevin J. Anderson, on Hour 25 – click here to listen

Scattered Suns is Book 4 of Kevin J. Anderson’s Saga of Seven Suns series, which is currently projected to be six books long. Kevin J. Anderson’s website describes the series as “An epic science fiction series by Kevin J. Anderson in the vein of
Frank Herbert’s Dune and Robert Jordan’s popular Wheel of Time books.” It’s grand space opera; complex and broad.

The first three volumes of this series are available on audio from Recorded Books, but they are not absolutely required to enjoy Scattered Suns. At the beginning of this audiobook is a “The Story So Far” section that lasts about 20 minutes. Because the story (and therefore the introduction) is so complex, I listened to it twice before moving into the novel, and it was time well-spent.

In the novel, humanity has gathered into three branches: the Terran Hanseatic League (based on Earth), the telepathic Green Priests (on the planet Theroc), and the starship-dwelling Roamers. True to humanity, these groups are not fond of each other and fight often.

There are also alien races. The Ildrians are an old race that was thought harmless until becoming hostile to humans. The Klikiss, who are extinct, left robots and machines behind. The Hydrogues are aliens that live in gas giants; the Faeros live in suns, and the Wentals are water creatures.

This volume starts right after the destruction of some key Roamer targets by the EDF (Earth Defense Force). Anderson succeeds in what he was trying to do – the book has several storylines moving at once. The characters do range from kings to paupers with lots of folks in-between, and the individual scenes range from epic battles to intimate moments between people. The only thing I’ve experienced recently that compares to it is the television series Babylon 5 which was a similar type of story.

David Colacci is a narrator with superior talent. I don’t recall having heard him before, but I will be very pleased when I encounter him again. His smooth voice and engaging character skills made experiencing this book a real pleasure.

Posted by Scott D. Danielson

New Releases: Dance of Death By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Chil…

Monday, July 18, 2005Thursday, April 1, 2010 Scott D.

Dance of Death
By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; Read by Scott Brick
Books on Tape
Unabridged

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
By J.K. Rowling; Read by Jim Dale
Listening Library
Unabridged
Harry Potter? Who’s he?

Magic Street
By Orson Scott Card; Read by Mirron E. Willis
Blackstone Audio
Unabridged
A contemporary fantasy by the author of Ender’s Game.

Scattered Suns
By Kevin J. Anderson; Read by David Colacci
Brilliance Audio
Unabridged
Volume 4 of Anderson’s Seven Suns series. The previous three were published by Recorded Books.

Star Wars: Dark Nest I: The Joiner King
By Troy Denning; Read by Jonathan Davis
Random House Audio
Abridged
More Star Wars – I like the ones I’ve heard.

The Traveler: The First Novel of “The Fourth Realm” Trilogy
By John Twelve Hawks; Read by Scott Brick
Books on Tape
Unabridged

We Few
By David Weber and John Ringo; Read by Stefan Rudnicki
Blackstone Audio
Unabridged
Military SF at it’s best, I hear.

Wrinkle in Time
By Madeline L’Engle; Read by ?
Listening Library
Unabridged

NOTE: SFFAudio posts a list of New Releases every month on or about the 16th. If you’re a publisher and would like to be included on this list, just let us know.

posted by Scott D. Danielson