Rating: 
Summary: Glad I didn't buy it
Review: As a seperate work of science fiction, this book would be quite good. However, because of the fact that it is intended to be part of a previously-written epic, _Dune: House Areides_ falls far short of expectations. It is utterly lacking in Frank Herbert's vision, breadth and scope, and just a few cursory glances at the _Dune Encyclopedia_ reveals several major errors in character backgrounds (Duncan Idaho never lived on Geidi Prime, for example) and numerous other inconsistencies. I suppose no other sci-fi author could ever begin to compete with Frank Herbert on his own turf. It may have been better if this book had not been written. It cannot compare favorably to any of the others in the series, and will always stand in the shadow of the grandeur of Frank Herbert's creation. For a book that is supposedly based on Frank Herbert's notes and "recently discoverd files," this novel displays surprisingly little insight and/or character and historical knowledge of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Not THAT bad...
Review: Let's get it straight from the start - this was not written by Frank. And it shows. Keeping Dune aside, this novel stands by itself as the beginning to a new series. It is written in a modern, readily accessible style that allows the reader to slip into the very convoluted plot and follow it to this book's conclusion. It was nice to see characters previously mentioned in passing being 'fleshed out' and an effort was made to keep existing characters from other novels within the boundaries of their personalities. Not a bad sci-fi novel, and a good start to a new series. I recommend it. BUT - if you are expecting the style of literary prose and insight from old Frank, then you will not get it. This is a totally different style, and while Frank purists may moan that it isn't the same,it is on a par with current writing trends. Many people find Frank is obscure and long winded (his last Dune books certainly started to lose me), and this may be the chance to drag more 'mainstream' readers into this universe, and maybe then later into Frank's true Dune. You shouldn't solely judge a book by what it isn't when compared to another book - it should stand on it's own merits, and House Atreides has them.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the finest Dune novel by two acclaimed novelists.
Review: One of the greatest sci-fi epic of all time finally has a beginning. Fortunately, both Brian Herbert(son of Dune creator, Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson (Star Wars/X-Files novelist) have done a brilliant job in reviving the Dune universe, which made its grand appearance more than three decades ago. Prelude to Dune is the first trilogy of the Dune saga, consisting of three chapters, and it starts off with House Atreides. Like most Dune novels,this prequel has lots of interesting and well-developed characters; some old characters we have known make a comeback while the rest of them are quite new and sometimes unique in many ways. House Atreides is also huge in scope; some scenes remind me of Star Wars which isn't a terrible thing to say. Yet, the greatest aspect of this novel is the storyline which reveals more about the feud between House Atreides and House Harkonnen, the creation of a god-child, Kwisatz Haderach by the Bene Gesserit, the war between the Tleilaxu and Ix and more. Overall, House Atreides serves some of the most exciting action sequences ever which may never fail to please even a royal Dune fan. Brian Herbert is indeed a worthy successor to Frank Herbert, and I expect more Dune novels from Brian and Kevin. We all know House Atreides isn't 'Dune'; at least it is certainly 'Prelude to Dune'.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Story
Review: The original Dune ranks as the greatest sci-fi story ever told. After Dune: Messiah, however, Frank Herbert started to get bogged down with his philosophizing and the quality of the storyline consequently slipped. After a lackluster couple of books, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune finally started to build an exciting story. Then Frank died, and it seemed we would be left hanging forever. Enter Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Having found Frank's notes, they are writing a prequel trilogy and, apparently, the concluding Book 7. Doing so, they have retained the epic grandeur of the Dune universe and returned to the action-packed, intrigue-laden storytelling style that made the original Dune so great. House Atreides is one of those rare books that are hard to put down, and I'm dying of suspense waiting for the remaining books. If you want philosophy, mystic religions, or an ecological treatise, go visit your local university textbook store. If you want a gripping, enjoyable story in the epic Dune universe, hurry up and get House Atreides. If you love stories, you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A satisfying entry in the universe of Dune
Review: I knew that this book would be good when we were introduced to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, a "lean, muscular, handsome man." All Dune fans should definitely check out Dune: House Atreides, and those who have never read the classic Frank Herbert series would find this the perfect place to start. This novel answers many questions about the history of some of the most real, three-dimensional characters out of science fiction. The Bene Tleilax, Ix, Shaddam's ascension to the throne, Duncan Idaho and the reason why he hate the Harkonnens, Lady Jessica's origins are just a few of the things revealed. The great thing is that while the book answers some questions, it just poses others. While this is not a perfect book, it is a good book. Of course it will not be exactly the same as the other Dune novels, different people wrote them, and no one can copy Frank Herbert's definitive style. But Brian and Kevin do an admirable job, and I can't wait for the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Dune: House Atreides
Review: I'm a fan of the Dune series and have read them all. It took me awhile to get used to the writing but when I did I loved it. The elder Herbert didn't spoon feed the reader. The book & the world Arraksis are full of mystery and wonder. I felt the younger Herbert and this Anderson guy didn't do any of that. They lay everything out leaving no secrets, wonder or for that matter depth. If you've read the Dune series from Dune to Chapterhouse you know why Arraksis is a desert world. Why does the author have Kynes asking why? It just feels as though Frank Herbert would have taken a different, more satisfying approach. I've only read about 150 pages of this book and hate it. I'll suffer through it to see what happens (if I can). I'm just happy I got it from the library instead of spending the $20. Definitely two thumbs waaaaaay down.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I found this to be a great book. I read the paperback, yeah, the paperback this site says that hasn't been published yet. Much more than what I expected to get off a Kmart Book Shelf. :-) I had never read any of the Dune book, but I definively will. I couldn't put the book down. The longest book I had read in quite a while and i finished in a few days. I gives you so many characters and they all have enough personality to get stucked in your brain. I remember almost if not all of the characters in this book. I am stuck on the series, once House Harkonnen arrives, I'm getting it. If you don't plan on reading the next one, don't read this one because you will be left wondering. It leaves a nice base for the next book in the trilogy. Totally great
Rating:
Summary: Nothing to compare with yet...
Review: I haven't yet read the Dune books by Frank Herbert. I plan to now that I've finished this one, if only to prove to myself that the most popular sci-fi novel of all time must be better than this. I'm not saying that the book doesn't have it's high points, but my main problem is with the writing style itself, which is, at times, unbearably campy, shallow and poor. Emotion, character development, action and description are all carried out in ways that, at times, literally made me put the book down out of frustration. It's tough to describe, but it was sort of like watching an incredibly bad, cheesy movie. This is a matter of personal taste, I know, and the plot itself is well carried out (with skeptical moments and inconsistent characters) and managed to interest despite the writing. This book has some elements of a great book, namely the worlds contained within, the creatures, creativity and vision, but I think those are mostly taken from Brian Herbert's father's work. This can be said, though; this book got me interested enough in the Dune universe that I'm looking forward to reading the other Dune books, which, supposedly, are carried out with more skill.
Rating:
Summary: Dune: House Atreides review
Review: Before I read Dune: House Atreides, I read the reviews of the Book in the Boston Globe first. They said something similar to the fact that "the book did not ruin the Dune series, but it did not add anything to it either". After reading the book myself I have to respectfully disagree with their assessment of the book. I thought this book was great, and I was very much a skeptic going into it. I am now very much looking forward to reading the sequel to "Chapter House Dune" which Brian mentioned he is proposing to write at the end of this novel. I must admit I was weary of a famous father's son trying to pick up his father's work and running with it. You never know if they are just trying to make a buck off of their father's name. Brian, after reading this novel I see that is not the case, and that you really must love this story. Your father would be proud.
Rating: 
Summary: Slightly disappointing, but parts were ok...
Review: I read Dune when it was first published, have been reading SF for over 30 years in fact. This book, being written by someone other than Frank Herbert, is bound to disappoint anyone who made their way through the first series. To write a prequel to, arguably, one of the best SF novels of all time, is a very ambitious idea, and one which suceeds only partially. Some problems include: lack of character development on some levels; too much focus on Harkonnen cruelty and torture (if I want to read about Hannibal Lecter, I'll read Thomas Harris, thank you); an unfortunate use of women mostly as flat, one-dimensional characters; and so on. There are some good parts: I liked the background we're given on Duncan's childhood, I liked the exploration into Ix and the Guild, I liked the peek into Leto's parent's relationship, I liked the exploration of Shaddam's relationship with Fenring. All in all though, the writing style is just too far from Frank Herberts to make this book match. I read it all the way through, but don't know that I'd go back to it again and again, as I did with the original series. Buy it and read it if you're a Dune fan, but don't expect it to be something it's not.
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