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Liked It “i enjoyed this book as a fan of the original series. i liked learning the history of Gurney Halleck, Duncan Idaho, Leit- Kienes and the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. I am anxious to read the rest of the 'house' books.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“i enjoyed this book as a fan of the original series. i liked learning the history of Gurney Halleck, Duncan Idaho, Leit- Kienes and the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. I am anxious to read the rest of the 'house' books.”
josh c wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“a decent addition to the series, they haven't quite captured it.”
Datura C wrote this review Friday, November 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good story”
Kenneth G wrote this review Monday, September 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“the vulgarities of the House Harkonnen are truly sickening in this addition to Frank Herberts universe that expands the cannon to the era before the original book. ”
joel s wrote this review Saturday, August 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Great series”
David S wrote this review Tuesday, April 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great book. This book makes you really mad at the harkonnens, especially rabban- he's a jerk. There also seems to be a lot of mangled, but living people in this book. ”
Daniel Callister wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Herbert and Anderson provide the second installment in their trilogy that is a prequel to Frank Herbert's classic Dune series. Whereas many prequels fall flat, providing little new information beyond what was originally included in the novel, this Dune series continues to offer new and engaging plot lines. In addition, despite the title, the book devotes equal time to House Harkonnen and House Atreides, as well as the events unfolding on Arrakis.
Tony H wrote this review Saturday, May 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The action commences several years after the events in Dune: House Atreides. Duke Leto Atreides is restless and still considering taking a wife in a strategic political alliance. His best friend, Prince Rhombur, and Romhbur's sister Kailea, are still living in castle Atreides. As an outcast from a once-noble house that went renegade, Rhombur wishes to regain the glory that his family lost in the fall of Ix, but cannot fathom how to achieve his goals. Kailea desperately wishes to be Leto's wife (and Leto fancies her), but since her house has been disgraced, Leto would never consider such a marriage. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen continues to deteriorate from the mysterious wasting malady he acquired. However, this does not stop him from attempting to lay subtle traps for House Atreides nor does it deter him from seeking vengeance against the Bene Gesserit witches who infected him. Rabban, the baron's nephew, continues his terroristic actions in support of the House Harkonnen, clearly demonstrating how he earned his nickname "Beast." Pardot Kynes, the royal planetologist assigned to research Dune, continues his quest for its secrets, now aided by his son Liet who has been raised exclusively as a Freman.
As in the previous volume, extremely short chapters (average 5 pages) are employed to propel the various plot lines along. This format works well as the chapters bounce around between the various stories. Nevertheless, all of the plot threads are fascinating and provide many additional details and characters that were not included in the original Dune series. I literally could not put this book down!
One of the most interesting characters is Abulurd, the half brother of Baron Harkonnen. He is the exact opposite of his son Rabban since he is kind, considerate and concerned with his homeworld's population, as opposed to being focused on ways to rape the planet for its riches. Duncan Idaho's training at the Ginaz Swordmaster School and the exploits of Gurney Hallack's resistance and escape from Harkonnen enslavement provide interesting insight into the crucibles which forged these two formidable warriors.
Dune fans and non-fans alike should find this enjoyable.”
“Nothing too notable about the next book in the House trilogy. If you enjoyed House Atreides you'll likely enjoy House Harkonnen. But as this is the middle of the series, a lot of the characters are thrown into much more adverse conditions, some of those conditions just awful. At times it may anger you how much injustice exists in this universe. But there are still some people who are good through and through. Lots of ground is covered in this book. It adds a lot more depth to the Dune universe.
Gregory wrote this review Friday, March 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
These books are fun because everything is so straightforward. Yet, like I mentioned about House Atreides, it definitely lacks the incredible, immersive writing style of Frank Herbert. But I really don't think anyone should get into these books expecting them to be like Frank Herbert's. Only insano crazy fans expect these books to be exactly like the originals.
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“Building on his father's work Brian Herbert is a superb storyteller. A fantastic read. You finally get answers to many of the questions Dune made you wonder about. Highly recommended”
Little Timmy B wrote this review Wednesday, January 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ I loved the entire Dune house series. After so many new titles, they have all run together in my mind, but I do know that loved everyone of the new B. Herbert/Anderson books in the Dune franchise.”
David Rozansky wrote this review Saturday, November 3 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
