Rating: 
Summary: Much better than I dared hope
Review: I haven't read Dune in 10-15 years, but this prequel felt/read like the original to me. Dad would be proud.
Rating: 
Summary: Prequel Review
Review: I read this book preparing myself for the different style that would inevitably come from the authors trying to follow in Frank's steps. I was not dissappointed. The book is very different and somewhat lacking in action but rolling in the true vileness of House Harkonnen, honor of House Atreides, and selfishness of House Corrino. Many questions were answered but many questions were also raised, leaving me tied up in knots of angst and curiosity. It would be wise for readers to read the Afterwords before reading the book. It does not give away any of the books twists and turns but helps give understanding and acceptance of the book's lackluster ending. This book is worth the read and worth the wait of a, I'm sure, soon to be coming sequel to the prequel. When the book starts to look bleak for our young hero, do not despair, this book redeems itself in many ways and holds hope for the true loyal fans of the Dune Legacy!
Rating:
Summary: Not really Dune
Review: I would like to add a point to those reviwers who stated that the House Atreides is not a real Dune book. In none of Frank Herbert's work are there characters in the same book who are similar to each other. Here, there are several, whom a less careful reader might easily confuse.
Rating: 
Summary: Stands on the shoulders of its predecessors
Review: I found Dune: House Atreides interesting enough to keep me reading, but I found it ultimately unsatisfying.My overall impression is that this is a story that doesn't really need to be told. Dune tells of the pivotal events of this time period; this novel is primarily backstory which only has significance because of the later events. For this reason, I didn't find the story of Duncan's childhood, of the Bene Gesserit's schemes to continue their breeding program, or of Pardot Keynes' adventures on Dune to be particularly interesting. What suspense there was in events was dispelled by my knowledge of how it all came out. As for other aspects of the story, although there were moments of political and military conflict, there was little real suspense. Most moments of danger or mystery were resolved almost immediately. Sometimes, a resolution was delayed for a few chapters, but when it did come, the resolution was sudden and simple. No real suspense was built, and solutions rarely caused new problems. One thing the book had going for it was the setting. I was delighted to explore the Dune universe again, and this book does give us a chance to do that. Much of the richness of that world is in this book. It is built on a strong foundation. Another aspect of the book that I found impressive was the way the authors were able to tie most of the disparate plot threads together. I was afraid at first that the individual backstories would remain unrelated short stories, chopped and multiplexed into one novel. That was not the case; the different plot threads were woven together skillfully. So while I enjoyed Dune: House Atreides, I feel that much of its merit comes from being built on Herbert's original creation. I'll read the next two books, but with diminished expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good!
Review: Of course it's not as good as the sixth book of the original serie, but it put light on the origin of some characters.
Rating:
Summary: It's not Frank Herbert, but it's still a fun read.
Review: When I first read the novel, I was a bit skeptical about whether I would like it or not. I love the Dune series immensely, and I love the movie and the books. The story kept my interest up until the end, and it explained a lot of things that Herbert had kept shrouded in mystery. I do have to admit that there are a few inconsistencies and questions: the no-ship, the Tleilaxu's fanatical behavior, etc. I was also shocked and apalled to see the wrong way of breathing through a stillsuit a couple of times. Ok you breathe in through your mouth and out through the noseplug. Are you with me on this? For a prequel, it is great fun. I can easily see this as a movie. I also enjoyed some of the fleshing out of Shaddam IV and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. It was interesting to see how these two became the way they were. I kind of like to think of this novel as a really great piece of fan fiction, because it's not written in FH's style at all. Of course if you're really curious about Dune's past and you're really homesick for a visit back to Caladan, Kaitan, Giedi Prime and Arrakis, then read House: Atreides! It's excellent entertainment!
Rating:
Summary: Very, very satisfying. Better than all the SEquels to Dune.
Review: There is of course no way to match the original novel, and yet I found this book to be simply wonderful. I never really liked the sequels to Dune, but now I can't wait for the other two prequels to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Review: I would rate this book much better than the original "Dune". I never went in for the original books that much, and am currently stuck near the end of "Dune Messiah" hopping to get through with it soon so that I can go onto the third book which I hear is much better than the second. Anyway, this book stands out and away from the other books in the "Dune" series. I think that Frank Herbert should have written something like this before he published the original "Dune" since it helped me out a great deal to understand the original books. It is much more interesting and exciting than the original ones, and I'd recommend it to any first time reader.
Rating:
Summary: Some of the magic of Dune recaptured!
Review: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have writen a worthy addition to the Dune series in this prequel. Not only have they matched the technical writing quality of Brian Herbert's father, Frank Herbert, but the story clarifies so many things from the original story that it honors the concept of the prequel. Now we know how Baron Harkonnen became so physically grotesque, why the Harkonnens and Atreides hate each other, and where Duncan Idaho and his loyalty to the Atreides came from. For someone who has read none of the Dune books, this is the place to start. For those of us who have read and enjoyed the Dune series, this book is a treasure. The spiritual/mystical depth of the original Dune books is not here, though, or only a glimmer thereof.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book that allows a return to the dune universe
Review: I think that anyone who has read Dune has a clear vision of that world and what it entails. If this same book was written by Frank Herbert, It would have had more depth and substance at the expense of plot. Unfortunately it was not and can never be. As a novel it is entertaining and fun to read, but it has more inconsistencies then I would prefer. There are certain plot lines that do not seem concordant with the original series. At any rate a must read for any fan of the original.
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