Rating: 
Summary: Excellent start
Review: Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert make an impressive start into the story behind the story of Dune. Many will complain because it's not as profound or philosophical as Frank Herbert's masterpiece, but I can't hold that against them. The elder Herbert was a genius and DUNE his masterpiece, so anyone would have a difficult job in writing it.Actually, I prefer the lack of deep philosophy in the novel, because it allows the characters to come more to life. The younger Leto and his father, along with the Baron and Shaddam are impressive in this novel as in the original series. I am slightly bothered by the contradictions in the storyline, especially with the inclusion of the no-globe and the sligs, things that were not mentioned until "Heretics" and I thought the inclusion of the Feng Shui room for Jessica's birth just a cheap trick to cash in on a pop trend. I look forward to reading House Harkonnen and House Corrino.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a page-turner
Review: I thought I'd check out the first of the "Dune" prequels just to see how it was; although a Dune 'aficionado' (perhaps fan is too strong a word), I didn't run to grab this off the shelf when it first came out over a year ago. This is really a review of this book plus _House Harkonnen_ (which I just finished). Incidentally, all of the prequels are really about Atreides, Harkonnen, and Corrino equally; not to mention the Fremen, Tleilaxu (blech!), Bene Gesserit, and a lot more. It starts off a little unevenly; not *particularly* well-written, and some ham-handed passages serve to jolt one into remembrance that this is not Frank Herbert writing. But it evens out eventually, and gets to be very interesting indeed. A young Leto gets farmed out to Ix for his 'education' and a trial-by-fire results which ultimately culminates in his becoming Duke, 8-year-old Duncan Idaho survives somewhat incredibly against Harkonnen cruelty on Giedi Prime, and Shaddam plots to foreshorten the reign of his father Elrood IX and become Padishah Emperor himself. And that's just the beginning. The action gets to a fever pitch in _House Harkonnen_, and you can bet I'm going to pick up _House Corrino_ to find out how it all gets wrapped up. Basically, most of the plot strands are drawn to show you the background of stuff that happens in _Dune_ itself, so it keeps it interesting for people familiar with the original material. Granted, this prequel material lacks the subtlety and depth of the original novel, but it is certainly more entertaining reading than the incomprehensible "Heretics" or "Chapterhouse" (I read those when I was 15, though; maybe I should give them another chance). And some of it is, frankly, incredible. One of the things that irked me about the above-mentioned sequels was the Bene Gesserit being portrayed as unopposable demigods, and this is extrapolated to ridiculous proportions in the prequels (are we really supposed to believe they can make themselves invisible at will just by hiding under a table?). Why doesn't someone just blast them to ribbons with a damn lasgun? Anyway, suffice it to say that the hardcore Dune fan might be disenchanted by the fact that this is definitely not Frank Herbert, but it's solid, entertaining sci-fi in its own right, and though at times garish and grotesque (the Harkonnens are really, really, *really* evil), it's worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A Pleasant Walk Down Memory Lane
Review: There is no book that I've read more times or loved more than Dune. I've read the 6 books in the Frank Herbert series many, many times. For years I've longed for a 7th book to complete the story knowing that could never happen. Now, along comes Brian Herbert with 3 new books that set the back drop for the series. The rumor is that he and Kevin Anderson will also release their version of the 7th book. We'll see. My rating for this book averages to 3 stars. My joy and excitement at the opportunity to walk down memory lane and experience stories of my favorite characters as they came into being warrants 4 stars. The fact that mistakes were made and the book couldn't possible be as good because Frank didn't write it warrants 2 stars. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Thank God they tried to stay true to the energy of Dune unlike the horror of the first Dune movie.
Rating:
Summary: A good prequel to an excellent series.
Review: Duen: House Atreides is an good prequel to the fantastic Dune Series. However, this novel is not on the same caliber as the orginal Dune series. The novel is easily read, and at times is very fast paced. Furthermore, it gives historical background for important characters such as Leto Atreides. Furthermore, it also spells out some interesting questions, such as: Why is Baron Harkonnen so disgustingly ugly? It also answers why Duncan Idaho has such contemt for House Harkonnen. Bare in mind, these are only samples of the interesting aspects of the Dune series brought to life in this novel. These authors should be commended on a tremendous attempt to share the same vision as Frank Herbert. However, although the vision may be similar, the writing is not. Herbert displayed a very intelligent backdrop for his characters and his world. These authors attempt to do the same, but lack the overall depth that Frank had. Furthermore, the authors for this novel create an environment that is highly intricate that contains the "wheels in wheels" philosophy. Again, these two should be commended on their attempt to mimic Frank's style. However, they are a little more forward with explaining the politics in the novel. Overall, those people who loved the original Dune series should pick up this novel. However, don't expect the excellence that Frank Herbert created. These two authors are very good, and do a great job, but it just is not quite the original.
Rating:
Summary: Good enough!
Review: I've read all of the original Dune series several times. The first prequel is not written the same way as the originals (don't expect it to be because it was written by different authors) but it gave me enough information and background about the different characters of the series. I found it quite as interesting and exciting as the other series. You need to get through the frist chapter to really get in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Open your mind
Review: At 31, I have read through the original Dune series about three or four times, each time getting a little farther. The first time was at about age 17, and the last time at about age 25. The first time around, I gave up at book five. One time, book six. Finally, I made it through the final book. Do you ever become sad when you finish the last page and realize that that's it; there's nothing left...you've devoured it all, and the plate is now empty?
Perhaps the first few times around, I never quite finished because I knew there was always a part of Dune I had yet to discover. I orinally thought that the story dragged by the end, and it lost its hold on me, but I still had the choice of continuing. The one gem I missed from the final book the first few times was the reference to Judaism still being practiced by a Bene Gesserit with her family aboard a space ship. I loved the religious themes throughout the Dune books, as I have wrestled with my own notions of religion. The plots of the original series were so interwoven that it kept your mind constantly racing with questions. The details are what made the universe believable. With the final book read, the only journeys left to make were in my own mind.
Fade to the present. When I heard that there were Dune prequels, I rejoiced! I'm not a professional critic. I use words like "good" or "bad" and phrases like (...)"that was the best thing ever". But as someone who took Dune and made it her own, I was grateful to one last feast. I felt some familiarity with the basic chapter layout and dialogue. I found it to be a much easier read than the orignal books which I imagine is what made some of our more "sophisticaticed" critics whince, but I cherished the opportunity to revisit my second universe. I enjoyed the chance to get to know some of the characters a little better and their history. I was convinced that some of the characters' ages were not consistent with the original series, and that bugged me. Still does, but after reading House Harkonnen and House Atriedes, I am now looking forward to reading House Corrino, despite whatever inconsistencies may exist. If Dune is real to you, and you're not an overly critical, purist, or pretensious person, then you will relish in the chance to visit that universe again, and I'm sure it will inspire you to read the original Dune series once more, as it has me. No, the new series is not as complicated, but like some other reviewers, I don't know that that is such a bad thing. For me, Dune is not so much about the words but about the place. And the Dune prequels will take you there.
Rating: 
Summary: In a word: disappointing
Review: It goes without saying that the Dune series is a masterwork of science fiction. Its impact, in sci-fi, is equal to that of The Lord of the Rings in fantasy. It has resonated with readers and grown to mythic status.
Unfortunately the same won't be said for the prequels. Where Frank Herbert wrote with beauty and style his son plods along amaturishly. The conversations of Dune usually had levels of subtext and required actual thought on the part of the reader to fully grasp the innuendos. The discussions of House Atreides requires as much attention as the typical "Three's Company" episode.
The really sad mater is that the book isn't really bad. Compared with the usual sci-fi tripe its measures up as at least standard. But compared to good sci-fi its bad. Compared to mythic Sci-fi its nothing short of embarrassing. I'm sorry I bought it. I know I'll not pick it up again, nor its sequels. In general I'll try to forget it ever existed.
Rating:
Summary: Dune for the laymen
Review: I understand that, perhaps too often, the Dune 'elite' sneer in contempt at anyone who hasn't read at least the original 6 DUNE books. Likewise, I also understand that it may indeed be a struggle for the casual reader to wade through the immense imagination and genius that was and is Frank Herbert. To the point, HOUSE ATREIDES is akin to a somewhat diluted form of the original DUNE series. Some might find that to be a rub against the book, however, I actually found it a bit more enjoyable and much less tedious than some of the original volumes. I did miss the ever-present aura of the un-known that permeates Frank Herbert's original series, however, the trade was acceptable to me. If you've read all of the other books, read this series too. If you haven't read all of the others, these may inspire you toward that endeavor.
Rating:
Summary: No...no...no!
Review: I did not get past the first chapter...and after having read the "1 star" reviews, I am glad that I stopped. The historical inaccuracies that I have read about in the other reviews is definitely worth consideration by true Dune afficionados. When I read about a "no ship" being encapsulated in the first book, I laughed my head off. There was certainly no reason why this technology would just "disappear" for, oh, say over a thousand years later...? I won't go into it any further. Read the other bad reviews; they cover the ground quite nicely. Don't buy it for the sake of another Dune story. The first six books, by the one and only true author of Dune, Frank Herbert, should have been laid to rest. Don't damage his legacy by reading the new prequels.
Rating:
Summary: Good addition to the series
Review: I loved this book. I've read all of the Dune series and this was a good compliment to the series. Of course after you've read the original series you want more, so any credible work would be great.
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