Dune Prequel Hate: A Scientific Reading Experiment

So it’s been a long time since I read the original Dune series by Frank Herbert.  I remember enjoying them immensely and when the prequels by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson began hitting the shelves in the late 90’s, I purposely stayed away from them.  My reasons were the same as any other Dune fan: I just didn’t want my experience with the original books to be ruined by a sub-par set of prequels.  Since then I have read a number of books by Kevin J. Anderson (most notably his Saga of the Seven Suns series) and he has quickly become one of my favorite authors.  Having the opportunity to peruse some of the various book-rating websites including Amazon and Goodreads, I have noticed that there are a very large number of Dune prequel haters.  When I say hate, I mean a burning visceral hate that in some cases seems almost irrational.   This got me to thinking about whether this hate for the Dune prequels was an actual dislike of the books themselves and the content, or whether it was fueled by the fact that fanatical Dune fans don’t want anyone to touch the legacy of the beloved originals.  Seeing as I was one of the fans that stayed away from the prequels initially, but has subsequently become a fan of Kevin J. Anderson’s books, I figured that I would be perfectly suited to undertaking a little reading experiment.  After all, I can see the merits of both sides equally.  Are these prequels just plain bad writing, contrived plots, and cardboard cutout characters or are they just targets for the original Star Wars movie-type crowd who hate any change and expanding of what they see as perfection that shouldn't be toyed with?  As I've stated before, I know bad writing.  I've read some bloody awful science-fiction in my time, so I will know immediately if these books fall flat.  But there is something inside me that says that there is something more to the vitriol that I see on many of the previously-mentioned reader review websites.  So I embark on this scientific experiment with an open mind and a loaded Kindle.  I will keep you all informed as to my findings.