Rating: 
Summary: Not on par with original books, but as good as the movie
Review: I was very wary about reading this book, because Frank Herbert was such a masterful dramaticist, and the Anderson/Brain Herbert Dune short story was so bad. However, I found that I couldn't put this book down. I take this book not as an official part of the Dune Chronicles, but rather in the sense of the movie, which it resembles in many ways (several descriptions are lifted right out of the movie, but this has precedent, as Frank Herbert did the same in CHAPTERHOUSE). Brian Herbert has always been more of a humorous writer than his father, and this shows in the comic characters in DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES. Kynes seemed quite out of character as a bungling, absent-minded professor type. There are some -what I would call- errors in the book. For example, I don't think Leto's father, referred to in DUNE as "the Old Duke," should be called "the Old Duke" while he's still living- he was obviously called "the Old Duke" in DUNE because he was the PREVIOUS duke. This could just be a pet peeve of mine, but it irked me. More importantly, there was technology in this book that didn't seemingly exist until the last two Dune novels. The authors had better destroy or hide this technology in their following books, or else there will be gaping inconsistencies. Following these critical comments, why then am I giving the book 5 stars? Because it DOES add to the mythology of Dune, in the sense that the movie DUNE did. Myths change and transform every day. When this process stops, it usually dies (read some of Levi-Strauss' work on mythology). As Frank Herbert believed, Time will judge all.
Rating: 
Summary: Very well done. Ignore the few negative reviews here.
Review: The original "Dune" is my all-time favorite science fiction novel. I have read it so many times in the last 20 years that if you read me a single sentence at random from the book I can tell you where you are in the story. I also love the last two books in the series, "Heretics of Dune" and "Chapterhouse, Dune." So, it was with much trepidation that I picked up "Dune, House Atreides." I didn't think anyone but Frank Herbert could do justice to another Dune book.Fortunately, I was wrong. "Dune, House Atreides" is the story of young Leto Atreides (Paul's father). It is extremely well written and does an excellent job of capturing not only Frank Herbert's characters, but also his writing style. Reading it was like visiting an old friend (one I never expected to be with again). The story is well paced and holds many excellent surprises and turns of events. Congratulations, Messrs. Herbert and Anderson, on a job well done.
Rating: 
Summary: A Pale Substitute
Review: If you wish to be mildly entertained with Duneish possibilities, read it. Don't be looking for dynamic tension or layered plots, though. Worth reading, but a pale substitute for Dune as written by Frank Herbert. Think of it as an Alternate Universe book. That will help with the more bizarre stuff. Worth your attention, but only as ancillary to Dune, not as a *true* part.
Rating:
Summary: Reads exactly like the original Dune novel
Review: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson did a masterful job of interpreting the Dune universe as it existed before the birth of Paul Atreides. The story was compelling, the characters were engaging, and the convoluted alliances, enmities, and intrigues were true to what Frank Herbert did in his original novel. It is definitely worth reading and I am looking forward to the next novels in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Dune is Reborn
Review: It is true, that this novel was unnecessary, but I for one am glad that the Dune series is continuing. This book should not be compared to the original, because in truth nothing can be equal too or better than Dune. It may seem to some readers that the characters are portrayed diiferently than they were in the original, but that is untrue. We are simply seeing what caused the characters to become so evil, or noble. It is a necessary glimpse into their past. The book also gives us a better view of the Guild, the Bene Gesserit, and the Ixians. We learn many new things in this book, things that we had never known. We should not give negative praise to this book, nor should we insult the authors. Brian Herbert made the right choice in continuing the Dune series, and if you disagree, then truly you are the ones who do not understand what Dune really is.
Rating: 
Summary: It doesn't even deserve 1 star.
Review: Is this a bad book? No, worse books have been written but that still does not make it a good Dune book. Here's the major problem with the book... it is too simple. Frank Herbert wrote Dune intricately with various symbols and social criticism woven in, House Atreides (and the sequels) do not do any of that. When Dune is read, it's not just a simple novel its a piece of literature, House Atreides is just a book attempting to go mainstream.
Other problems with the book is its use of language. It sounds too much like it is being in the 1990's while Dune can be read at anypoint without any era-dialect. It incorporates too much from Star Wars, and if you changed all the character names it probably would read like a Star Wars novel. Its characterizations are weak and completely wrong. Count Fenring is an insane killer, Shaddam is an immature, scheming Machiavellian bastard, the women are nothing more than spoiled brats, and Duncan meeting with Leto comes off as a soap opera plot line.
It has inconsistancies (which the later novels make no attempt to explain and create even more inconsistancies). This book is an attempt at mainstreaming not the continuing of a great work of literature.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!! A worthy addition to the magnificent DUNE series
Review: I wish I had the words to describe my emotions after reading HOUSE ATREIDES... I was afraid the book wouldn't match the complexity, originality and depth that made DUNE the best science fiction series in history. Boy, was I was wrong! House Atreides is all that and more. The characters I've come to love after reading the series seven times are all there. As is the mystery surrounding Dune, the plans within plans, the epic struggle between greed and nobility. Thanks Frank Herbert for Dune! And thanks Brian and Kevin for embracing the legend and achieving the impossible!
Rating:
Summary: Nicely done, but not 'Dune'
Review: I agree that this is a fun, fast-paced, complex and generally effective novel. Alas, I'm sorry that so little of it (relatively) takes place on Arrakis, which for my money is the most fascinating part of the original. Also, this book makes a reader see how the original relied overmuch on stereotypes of good vs. bad: I mean, come on, all the Atreides are super-good guys, and all the Harkonnens hideously depraved? Could do without the endless hammering on the fact that the evil Baron is gay, too. I realize that Frank Herbert made him so in the original, but here it sounds a little shrill and homophobic. Still, this is an enjoyable read, and I agree that it's as good or better than most of the 'Dune' sequels, excepting perhaps 'Children of Dune.'
Rating:
Summary: Dune Lives On
Review: Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson do a great job in reviving the Dune universe. The novel is filled with action, plots, and a dozen new and dynamic characters. There is no doubt about it, this novel must win the Nebula and Hugo awards for the year. The only bad thing is that I probably have to wait a year to read the next novel. "The spice must flow," and the Dune novels must continue.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Book
Review: I found this book to be the best in this series since the original novel. The book is interesting, the plot unfolds at a reasonable pace and its character development is excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone who loved Dune.
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