Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, yet sipid in comparison
Review: As a Dune fan, I had to get this book. Starting with lower expectations helped, but there were just some really annoying discrepencies with the original Dune book (absolutly blatent). For an example-- the orgianl Dune says something to the effect that Leto's men went to 'select' Jessica, and also that Yeuh had known Jessica & the family for 9 years. But, in this book we suddenly find Jessica showing up with the BG on Leto's doorstep one day, and Yeuh moving in to Castle Caladan about the time Paul is born (around 15 years before the orginal book).Now, these events were not crucial to the plot, and didn't have to be included in the way they were. It makes me wonder if the authors even re-read the orginal Dune before attempting this prequel. And, a big grip with the 2 prequels is the drawn-out, uneventful seige on IX. Almost nothing has happened with this sidestory despite wading through 2 books. Very poor overall story design. It was an easy-reader, but certainly no pithy insights make you think once you put the book down. But as a fan...
Rating:
Summary: House Harkonnen has poor writing style but good plot
Review: The biggest problem with the Dune prequels is that they do not have the engaging writing style of the originals. Of course, Frank Herbert is dead, but his son is not completely incompetant. He knows how to tell a story, and that's what "House Harkonnen" does well. You have to read "House Atreides" to understand what's going on. This book ties up some loose ends left by that book, but leaves just as many. These, I presume, will be tied up in the third prequel "House Corrino". The plot is very complicated and jumps around from character to character, but it is also engaging. You get to find out some interesting history about some of the best characters from the original series, such as the Emporer's aide Count Fenring. "House Harkonnen" reads like one of those Star Wars novels. This makes sense, because co-author Kevin Anderson has written several Star Wars novels. His writing style (along with Brian Herbert) just doesn't fit in well with the other Dune novels, which were known for their rich style. My other big complaint with this book is that it is chock-full of torture scenes. Why? I mean, we get it - the Harkonnens are evil. Is it necessary to give all the grisly details? Frank Herbert was far more subtle and effective in portraying good vs. evil. He did not have to resort to shock value. Still, this book is interesting, at least for its storyline and its insights into Dune's history. I think it's a worthy read for hardcore Dune fans
Rating: 
Summary: The DUNE universe meets Melrose Place.
Review: While I found HOUSE ATREIDES to be entertaining, this book read like a confusing sci-fi soap opera. There was no story flow worth mentioning; every couple of chapters, the story advances a couple of years, with virtually nothing happening in those lost years. And there are plotlines that go nowhere; it was obviously written with a sequel in mind. While it was nice to get introductions and backstories to some of DUNE's memorable characters (like Gurney Halleck and Feyd), they still left me somewhat disappointed, as thought there was much more that could have been said. While DUNE is a book I could read again and again, I can't say the same thing for HOUSE HARKONNEN.
Rating: 
Summary: A great Prelude to the cornicles of Dune
Review: I am greatly suprised that this book lived up to my expectations. This book is a must for all those who have read and loved DUNE. This book continues the story of Leto Atreides. And the Harkonenn love for cruelty. A great deal of time is spent on detailing the life of BEAST RABEN and his parents and there interaction with the Baron Vadimer Harkonenn. As well the intriges for the House Corrino as it tries to crush the oposoition to the EMPIRE. This book shows the sword training of Duncan Idaho. The childhood of Leit Kynes and Gurney Halleck. I read this book over the weekend and could not put it down. It is different than Frank Herbert who weaved themes into the work. This is pure story, but it is in the DUNE universe with some of the most characters that you loved in the other work. As well it hints at the birth of Feyd Rahd Raben and Paul Atreides. It jumps between a lot of story lines and one should read House Atreides if this is you first DUNE book.
Rating:
Summary: Gotta love those Harkonnens.
Review: After reading House Harkonnen, I came to a couple conclusions. 1. Duncan Idaho becomes cooler with each passing book. 2. The Harkonnens are some of the most insidious and hilarious enemies ever. It's true. Vladimir and Rabban are vicious killers in their own rights, but through Piter de Vries into the mix and you're bound to have some hilarity (especially with the Baron threatening to kill Piter all the time.). 3. The other major characters that appear have their own story and it's fully explained be it Liet Kynes, Gurney Halleck, Dominic Vernius, and of course the Duke Leto himself. This is by no means anything Frank Herbert would've written. However, that doesn't mean you should avoid it. If you're looking for a book equal in quality to Dune, then you're S.O.L. because no book exists. However, if you want a great story that gives insight to the events before Dune and why some events happened in Dune, this would be the place to find it. Now I've got to wait one more year for House Corrino. By the way, did you hear that Herbert/Anderson are doing another trilogy? Yeah this one's about the Butlerian Jihad and from what I've read, we're in for a treat.
Rating:
Summary: full of sound & fury...
Review: I think Frank would be upset. As much as I tried to enjoy this book, my frustration increased with every chapterette. It stands upon the shoulders of giants but fails to reach any stature of its own. The comic bookish chapters are irritatingly fragmented & more akin to literary sound-bites than thoughtful character & plot development. For the record: Islam is a theistic religion, Buddhism is a non-theistic religion- a combination would explode in philosophic nonsequitor.
Rating: 
Summary: An addictive epic
Review: I hope this series goes on and on -- anybody who liked the original DUNE will love this continuation. Frank Herbert can no longer write additional books in the saga, but this is the next best thing. I can hardly wait for HOUSE CORRINO, and the new Butlerian Jihad trilogy the authors have just sold.
Rating:
Summary: Apocrypha: interesting but hollow
Review: To compare this new Dune series to the original is futile. I have yet to read any work of fiction even close to the cultural, philosophical, ecological complexity of Frank Herbert's original Dune series. Having said that, House Harkonnen is an interesting book which does shed some light on the histories of certain characters (Duncan, Gurney, and Feyd-Rautha, especially) and I found myself enjoying it more than House Atreides. However, I feel any new books set in Frank Herbert's fully-realized Dune universe should be viewed as apocrypha: certainly containing many of Frank Herbert's original ideas but with much garbage added. Enjoy these books, gaining whatever insight is available, then go back and read the originals. Still they stand alone in sheer scope and grandeur.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Dune
Review: First, read House Atreides then wait until you have a large block of time where reading won't get in the way of anything important. House Harkonnen is a true page turner and I was stuck with a reading addiction that led to me carrying the book with me everywhere I went. I even unplugged the phone. The book stays true to the original Dune series in terms of plot and intrigue while improving the readability with an easier to read writing style. The fact that the book is just over 600 pages helps take the sting out of the hard cover price. I can only hope that this writing duo will eventually leave the Harkonens and Atreides behind and branch out and create their own original series in some new part of the Dune universe or in a universe that is completely their own. Three cheers for Herbert and Anderson!
Rating: 
Summary: Just Plain Boring.
Review: I enjoyed the first prequel Dune:Houses Atreides. It was nice to revist the Dune universe and learn the characters' backgrounds. Perhaps that's why I was able to overlook the poor writing styles. This book was difficult to finish. The plot went nowhere. Charater development was one-dimensional. The book is obviously targeted toward the young teenage market. It was not worth the time to read it. I doubt the next installment will be any better.
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