Satisfactorily authentic. Except for the focus on Duncan Idaho from the beginning, this felt more like a prequel to Dune than a prequel to all six Dune novels, which was fine for me because I remember Dune a lot better than the books that followed.

While the writers were playing in Frank Herbert’s sandbox, they are playing almost entirely with his toys without bringing many new toys of their own, so this lacks the outflow of rich invention that is part of what makes Dune such a mind blowing experience. This is not the case with the story, though. There aren’t many new inventions, but the story is intriguing and compelling.

I guess you could say Frank Herbert invented the car and drove it well. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson don’t put anything new under the hood, but they do drive it really well.

Finally, I liked the way that the writers put little summaries of the story inside the story. For some people this may be repetitive or seem like dumbing it down, but for me it was welcome. I didn’t have too much trouble following the Dune books when I read them as a younger man, but I am now a lot busier, and appreciate these little moments where something like, “Leto considered the events that had brought him here. He wondered why X had happened, and when that had led to Y, he regretted having to do Z which had led him inexorably to this point.” Sure, it feels a little contrived, but these guideposts let me get right back into the story after a hard week and I appreciate it.

I was pretty leery about these books as I truly loved the original six by Frank Herbert and thought that the prequels would be nothing more than a cash cow for his son and Kevin Anderson. NOT!!! House Atreides was a phenomenal read that made me laugh, cry and cringe with anticipation. Lets face it : Frank Herbert was a masterful philologist but his books were never the page turners that these prequels are... The stories are simply fascinating and wonderful and if you can get over the fact that one of these two authors really doesn't write very well, you'll love House Atreides and the other prequels and their prequels. Thankfully, he doesn't write very much and you can spot his chapters a mile away... They fit in with the overall plots quite nicely though, and are therefore tolerable. In closing, House Atreides is all the original Dune books could have been in terms of characterizations, drama and plain old, GOOD storytelling. I loved it and all that has come since (especially the Machine Crusade). Cheers!

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.

I am enjoying the journey and complex plot, characters and planets. The government and how it is displayed reminds me of our own. Relationships and favors for something in return. Very good story.

Loved this look into the history and relationships upon which the Dune saga unfolded. Can’t wait for the next installment

Nothing needs to be said. This is a great series of books and I am a 65 year old woman. Seller was great.

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.

This book has me so excited I can't wait until the other are released.

I read a lot of mix reviews but I side with those who said it's good. Really enjoyed it and has a lot of relevant stuff about the family and prior reign. A must for Dune fans.

I love Dune and this book is close enough to the writing style of F. Herbert. Being an avid fan, I need more of my favourite Dune, and this book provided me with the backstory of Leto Atreides. Love to listen to and read it! I recommend.

É uma boa leitura para quem quiser se aprofundar na saga de Duna.

Sehr gutes Buch!

Un tres bon livre lu. L'ambiance si particuliere de Dune est bien retranscrite grace aux effets sonores et au narateur tres convaincant.