Rating: 
Summary: Great job, but some significant mistakes
Review: Despite some significant mistakes, this book does a decent job of recreating the world of Herbert's DUNE. Unfortunately, the writing style is geared more towards the less intellectual crowd, an apparent attempt to cater to Hardy-boy type readers who prefer sex and violence over the smooth philosophical undertones which characterized Frank Herbert's DUNE series.The authors also suffer from mistakes and misreading of the original book, Dune, in other ways. The authors go somewhat overboard with making the Harkonnens into monsters, and depict them with red hair, when the original book had them with black hair. Fenring's hmmm's are actually a secret language between him and his wife, but the authors apparently overlook this, and mistakenly portray this as a speech defect in their new prequel. The level of violence and sexual innuendo is played up in this prequel, and characters such as "the Baron" are a far more affected than the original book ever suggested. The level of adventure is heightened, which is a refreshing change. The authors also do a good job of creatively enhancing details which were only mentioned in Herbert's dune, as well as creating some intriguing ones of their own. Overall, a good read, but the authors would have benefited from closer reading of the original books.
Rating:
Summary: Not entirely like the originals, but that doesn't make it...
Review: Although the new Dune trilogy is not a replica of the writing style of the first six, that does not make these books bad. Brian Herbert seems to have a good grasp of his fathers universe, which is to be expected. When I first heard that Kevin J. Anderson was involved in this series, I was slightly put off. I do not normally enjoy his writings. However, when I read House Atreides, I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps Brian Herbert was able to to Anderson's normally wild and unreasonable ideas at bay this time. On the whole, they are a wonderful series of action/intrigue sci fi novels. What is lacking from the originals? It's missing some of the original insight into politics, religion and other philosophical realms.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing but Plot
Review: Brian Herbert can't write. Or, maybe he can, but he didn't bother to put any effort into his writing because he knew people would buy Dune books no matter how badly he wrote them. Essentially, the only merit of this book and the other Dune books written by Brian Herbert is to give us the raw facts about the world of Dune. The plot is probably quite close to what Frank Herbert himself would have written. The writing itself, however, is stilted, shallow, and painful to read. What little characterization there is has been executed without consistency, believeability, or style. The dialogue is horribly artificial. Brian Herbert's writing is utterly devoid of ambience, and he makes the most common and most deadly mistake in writing: he fails to "Show, Don't Tell". I know fifteen-year-olds who write better than this. The bottom line: don't buy this book. Get someone who HAS suffered through it to tell you the main plot points and interesting historical trivia. Those are the only things this book fails to screw up.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is enjoyable if you can remember what it is
Review: It's important to view these prequels for what they are - they are not Frank Herbert. Once you can let go of that you can enjoy them for what they are, a nice homage to the world of Dune and the brilliant mind of Frank Herbert. I love the Dune universe, I've read the series once a year for the last 17 years. I love the characters and the houses and the history that Herbert created so I do quite enjoy the prequels that Herbert's son has co-written because they are the only way I'll hear more about this universe. No, Brian isn't Frank and Frank is a better writer but this is Frank's universe so that shouldn't be surprising. I liked House Atreides, I thought the book was entertaining and that it fit in with the rest of the Dune books quite well. Most of all, I like that I can find out what made the characters of the series I love so much into the people they are in later books. Overall, I do recommend this book without hesitation, even being the geek I am.
Rating:
Summary: Takes the Mystery out of Dune
Review: What i found most distrubing is the attempt to explain everything in the Dune Universe. For example, Herbert et al explain in detail how the guild actually folds space or how the baron became fat. In the Dune chronicles, the mystery was half the fun. Too bad Herbert didnt use this opportunity to create his own prequel universe instead of being regimented to follow his father's story. Still its entertaing :)
Rating: 
Summary: Pathetic attempt at writing
Review: I have read the original 6 Dune books by Frank Herbert at least 10 times each, and I found these prequels an insult to Frank Herbert. Just because Brian Herbert is his son does not make him a good writer. What's missing in these books is Frank Herbert's insight and observational skill. The Dune books make so many observations in regards to religion, science, politics, etc. that can only come from Frank Herbert's insight. As far as I'm concerned these prequels have no place in the Dune universe. The only canon are the original 6 books.
Rating:
Summary: It's Not Frank, But It's Close
Review: Brian Herbert (Frank's son) and Kevin J. Anderson have done a very creditable job in assuming the mantle of the Chief of the Fremen. DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES doesn't exactly read like Frank wrote it, but there's an echo of his voice that's impossible to ignore. Finally we learn of the origins of Jessica, Leto's concubine. We learn of why Baron Harkonnen hates the Bene Gesserit. We learn the true story of how Duncan Idaho became an honored retainer in the Atreides house and of the death of Leto's father. Worth the [money] I spent for it.
Rating:
Summary: House Atredies: The story behind the story of Dune
Review: This book is a major accomplishment for the authors, who, using Frank Hebert's original notes about Dune, have constructed a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor, the epic, Dune. I was very impressed at the level of detail the authors gave in referencing the orginal novel, especially when it came to the inner workings of House Atredies itself. I have gone back after reading this novel, and have begun reading again the original Dune novel. Brian Hebert and Kevin Anderson have really given us something to be proud of and worthy of the extra bucks it takes to buy it in hardcover. Although some have said that this novel is nothing like the original as far as style, it is truly an enriching story that only makes me love the Dune series even more. I have rated this novel at four stars instead of five--due to some rather quirky language in some parts. Overall-- You must read this book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Dune for contemporary audiences
Review: I was many of the few science fiction readers who thought that Dune was needlessly drawn out. I think this new set of prequels have the readers of modern sci fi in mind. Nothing will be able to top the originals...how could they? They have a history all of their own. The new Dune books should be seen with a new point of view. They certainly won't satisfy all the fans who say they are not like the original. However I believe they will add a new perspective to the saga that Brian can call his own. I give it five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Well I think it's excellent!
Review: I have never read Frank Herbert's "Dune" so I think that I can write a rewiev from objective point of view. I think that "Dune: Houses" are excellent books well worth of reading. Herbert and Anderson have (in my humble opinion) done very impressive work in making this unique world functional. There are many multi-layered characthers and many parallel cliffhanger situations which contribute to diynamics of the books. Charachters are realistic and very memorable. I can't wait for our book editors in Croatia to publish original "Dune". But, untill then I think I'll hold on to this one. Definetely worth of re-reading. I can not even imagine what are original series like when the prequels are so great. Buy it. Read it. Enyoy it!!!!!!
Greetings from Cratia!
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