House Atreides (Dune: House Trilogy, Book 1) Mass Market Paperback – August 1, 2000

I have done a substantial amount of reading in my life. Dune was one of my first and favorites. After reading many, many, many more books, both similar and wildly different, I have realized that Herbert's writing style is lacking in so many ways. However, what he lacks in style, he more than makes up for in world-building, character development, and scope. It is my recommendation that this and all books by Frank Herbert and/or his son be read to completion; If for no other reasons than the amazing lore.

The Brian Herbert-Kevin J. Anderson Dune books are quite polarizing. After having read this book, I find some of the criticism valid. But it's also clear that the authors did try to flesh out the Dune universe in a way that would satisfy Frank Herbert. They're clearly not quite as good with the art of writing, but the books aren't trash.Of the criticisms I've seen, the one that most holds up is repetition and lack of subtlety in the writing. I'm not sure if this is because the book had two authors, but the book repeats itself as if worrying readers will forget. This is particularly frustrating when the book trues to use foreshadowing. Foreshadowing works when it provides subtle hints and sets a mood. However, the authors advertise future events far too clearly, undermining the suspense of the story. As if an exaggerated form of Chekov's Gun, if the book repeats that a particular thing is dangerous or important, know that it will play a role in later chapters.This book - and the other House books - doesn't have a particularly strong story. I get the sees that the House books were written more to provide backstory for the main characters in Frank Herbert's Dune than to tell its own unique story. This is both good and bad. I'm glad the books don't try to overshadow the story of Dune. Dune clearly represents the climax of a struggle, and so having a major story set just decades before might have detracted from its power.However, I do think Dune: House Atreides could have done a better job setting up a story. We learn about different characters, but even after finishing the book I'm still not entirely clear what the major conflict of the trilogy is supposed to be. There are several small-scale conflicts, but ultimately it seems our protagonists move from event to event to serve the needs of the plot. And, despite the title, this book isn't exclusively, or even primarily, about House Atreides but rather covers a range of Dune characters.That said, if you take the book as general backstory to Dune, it actually works somewhat well (small contradictions aside). Baron Harkonnen is back as his scheming self. I actually like what the authors have done with his character. Duke Paulus, Leto's father, also works as an inspiration for Duke Leto and helps explain the Atreides mindset a bit more and the House's dispute with Emperor Shaddam.The sections I most enjoyed though were those about Count Fenring and Shaddam. We only saw brief glimpses of those two characters in Dune but I was always curious about their relationship, especially because Dune seemed to imply Fenring was a key character but he doesn't actually do much in that novel. In Dune: House Atreides we finally see why Fenring is such an important player. I'm very much looking forward to House Corrino.Overall, if you read this book, set your expectations. It's not great literature, not even at the level of Frank Herbert's latter Dune novels. But if you want more Dune and you're willing to suspend disbelief, House Atreides can be a fun read. Don't expect any great philosophical insights or plot twists. I do think it's safe to expect that the books will make the Dune universe feel much larger and more complicated than what we got in the original novels.

It fills in the background detail of the original series with common sense explanations and in winds the enigmatic palace intrigues.

Exactly as described and as pictured, good value

This book is the 1st of 3 books in a trilogy prequel to Dune. I’ve always been fascinated with Dune the book and the movies and decided to give it a shot.Although each book is titled after a different house, the story isn’t just about that house. It also interweaves in the history of the Emperor, Baron Harkonnen, the Bene Gesserit and the Guild.This book has a fairly good plot structure. The 2nd book is pretty slow and I haven’t started the 3rd book yet.Based on the 2nd book, I don’t feel any need to read the ones on the different societies: Guild, Bene Gesserit, Mentats, Ginaz … etc.

Brian Herbert is the son of Frank Herbert creator of Dune Saga. Brian and Kevin Anderson start with this book a difficult mission: revisit Dune's universe describing the events immediately preceding Dune, the first & unforgettable volume of the famous saga.Did they succeed? Well, yes and... no. Yes because they deliver an interesting first step with all the elements of this fascinating universe; and no because the story is not as gripping as the original Dune.Nevertheless Dune's fans (as me) should not be too disappointed because even Frank Herbert wasn't at the same height when writing Dune Messiah, Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune and he will recover allure only with the last two books of the series.So let us hope the same will happen with Brian & Kevin efforts!The variety of themes touched by the original series is still present in this book: ecology, political-religious interaction, genetic manipulation, longevity drugs and secret sisterhoods and brotherhoods.The story is as follows.The Scenery.There is a Galactic Empire ruled by the Emperor. There are powerful Noble Houses that rule different planetary systems and confront each other in endless struggle, yet subject to strict rules. There is a Guild of interstellar Pilots. There is the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood following their eugenic plans and playing in backstage as advisors to all powers. Computers & AI are forbidden and replaced by human-computers called Mentat. Arrakis is Desert Planet inhabited by mysterious desert dwellers: the Fremen.The Argument.Consist of several threads that will mingle and interact thru the present book and the intended continuations.A very young Leto heir of Noble House Atreides is being educated by his father Duke Paulus.The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood following their eugenic plans is approaching their goal: to produce a male specimen that will surpass all their limitations and fulfill their mission. Execrable Baron Vladimir head of Noble House Harkonnen, Atreides' ancestral enemy, is in command of Arrakis and planning mischievous deeds.Prince Shaddam, the Emperor's son & heir and his intimate Fenring are getting bored of Emperor Elrood's long life and planning to shorten it.Noble House Vernius, masters of point technology, had developed a new cruiser that will cut Emperor's income, incurring in his wrath.All these elements and more, much more are deployed skillfully by the authors, giving way to an interesting narration.I recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and general public too.Reviewed by Max Yofre.

A brilliant addition to the Dune series. A worthy successor to Dune and Dune Messiah which knocks spots off Chapter House and Heretics. Reads like Frank Herbert before he got caught by his own verbosity. A big well done to Kevin and Brian and thank you from the bottom of my heart for not writing the sequel(s) to Chapter/Hertics. Let the story hang poised for ever on the verge of another monumental trilogy.

What can I say. Im a Dune fan and I collect all the books. They are worth a read. Really good stories. Reading all the books in order of time line is a must. I love the new as well as the old.

read

well worth the read

I had lost hope a long time ago with the Dune series. The first 3 original books were amazing then they lost track and wallowed around. This Dune: House Atreides book has re-imagined things amazingly well. I am not sure where the shift occured but my hunch is that Kevin J.Anderson's influence on Brian Herbert has clearly made a big difference.