Dune Scholar

Dune's Discomfort with Religion on APA site

My latest article "Dune's Discomfort with Religion" is up on the American Philosophical Association's site.

I look again at the way the new Dune films distort the portrayal of key characters and concepts from the book.

Find it here: blog.apaonline.org/2026/02/26/d...

Književna fantastika publication dedicated to Frank Herbert and Dune

Kara Kennedy's article "Spice and Ecology in Herbert's Dune" translated into Serbian by Nikola Matić for the 2025 Književna fantastika publication

I'm honored to have my article "Spice and Ecology in Herbert's Dune" translated into Serbian by Nikola Matić for the 2025 Književna fantastika publication dedicated to Frank Herbert and Dune:
kontrastizdavastvo.rs/knjige/knjig...

Review: ‘Dune: Imperium – Bloodlines’ Expansion Sardaukar troops march into the ‘Dune: Imperium’ board game with the ‘Bloodlines’ expansion, in addition to more characters and new gameplay mechanics.

My review of Dune: Imperium – Bloodlines is out:
dunenewsnet.com/2025/09/revi...

The Role of Ethnic Diversity in Villeneuve’s Dune How does director Denis Villeneuve use cultural elements, like bagpipes and martial arts, in his ‘Dune’ movies to frame House Atreides as morally sympathetic?

Don't miss this new article analyzing ethnicity in the Dune films from Dr. Francesc Morales 💡

dunenewsnet.com/2025/09/ethn...

Discovering the Fremen: ‘Dune’s Ecologists We look at how the Fremen have adapted to desert life, how they use animals and spice, and what skills they have developed in technology and science.

How have the Fremen in Dune adapted to desert life, used animals and spice, and developed skills in tech and science? Check out Part 2 of my series exploring the Fremen at DuneNewsNet:
dunenewsnet.com/2025/03/disc...

painted sandworm miniatures from Dune: Imperium Uprising board game

Looking forward to using my new painted sandworms in the Dune: Imperium Uprising board game. 😎

Other Worlds: Building the World of Dune Dr Kara Kennedy explores what makes Dune and its characters believable and relatable and how Herbert avoided the clichés that made other science fiction obsolete.

I'm excited to be giving a talk at Auckland Libraries on Frank Herbert's Dune as a special feature in their Other Worlds exhibition of science fiction materials. 📚
ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2025/...

DUNE TALK: ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Season 1 Discussion Podcast: We discuss the first season of HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ TV series, including favorite moments and criticisms. Plus speculation

Don't miss the Dune Talk podcast on Dune: Prophecy as we review what we thought of the new TV show and how it relates to the larger Dune universe:

He changes things across the six books, like Alia gets access to the Baron (male side), and then later Sharing becomes a thing. We don’t get to see much outside of the Atreides’ experiences, and there’s vagueness with the genetic explanations. It’s the less scientifically based part of the universe.

Well, something to consider is that she wasn’t supposed to be alive - not everyone survives the Agony. The concept at least makes sense. The show wanted to take the horror angle so I think that’s why they went that way.

Review – ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 6 Valya and Tula Harkonnen reckon with the truth of Desmond’s identity, amidst deadly confrontations, in the season finale of HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ TV series.

A satisfying finale to Dune: Prophecy Season 1 with numerous elements of #Dune, including the theme of mind vs. body. Check out my review!

dunenewsnet.com/2024/12/dune...

Lynch’s ‘Dune’ 40th Anniversary - Fan Perspective With 2024 marking 40 years since the premiere of David Lynch’s ‘Dune’, members of the community look back at the best that this movie (still) has to offer.

Dune fans reflect on what we like about Lynch’s film:
dunenewsnet.com/2024/12/lync...

Review – ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 5 Heirs of Houses Corrino and Harkonnen reckon with dual loyalties in the fifth episode of HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ TV series. Tula tries to hide an abomination…

It's the penultimate episode of Dune: Prophecy and characters are being pulled in all directions.
Check out my review:
dunenewsnet.com/2024/12/dune...

Review – ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 4 Valya Harkonnen and Desmond Hart show vulnerabilities in HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ episode 4. The Inner workings of the Imperium’s Landsraad council are revealed.

Dune: Prophecy Episode 4 centers around the theme of vulnerability, from the main characters down to the acolytes. Check out my review:

dunenewsnet.com/2024/12/dune...

Review of my first book: “Overall, this is a closely argued, well-supported study that highlights the strength in the Bene Gesserit sisterhood throughout the six-book series.”

Check out @duneinfo.com, @dunabrasil.bsky.social, @maxevry.bsky.social, @aglaia000.bsky.social, @leowigginsvo.bsky.social, @sdaoudi.bsky.social, @futuristguy.bsky.social, @weirdingpod.bsky.social

Of course. Can I suggest other accounts for this pack? We’re slowly getting people on this platform.

Review - ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 3 Flashbacks in HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ episode 3 reveal darkness in the Harkonnen sisters’ pasts and explore their House’s bitter feud with the Atreides.

Episode 3 of Dune: Prophecy slows down for flash-back backstories. Check out my review:
dunenewsnet.com/2024/12/dune...
#Dune #DuneProphecy

Thanks!

Review - ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 2 ‘Dune: Prophecy’s second episode explores the Sisterhood’s mystical side and features a tense encounter between Valya Harkonnen and Desmond Hart.

We're getting a fuller picture of the Sisterhood in Episode 2 of Dune: Prophecy. Check out my review:

dunenewsnet.com/2024/11/dune...

#Dune #DuneProphecy #BeneGesserit

Review - ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 1 HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ premiere takes the time to establish its players. A new threat to the Sisterhood rises, while House Corrino prepares for a royal wedding.

Don't miss my reviews of the new Dune: Prophecy series and how they're depicting the Sisterhood! 🕵️‍♀️ #BeneGesserit

dunenewsnet.com/2024/11/dune...