Rating: 
Summary: Reads like a newspaper, not a novel
Review: Its a shame to say anything negative about books bearing the "Dune" name. The original series is such a superb work of art.Perhaps these recent books will be valuable mainly in that they may bring renewed attention to the original classic series... I would give these authors credit for devising one of the best possible Dune pre-histories, yet I would definitely not give them credit for having done a good job with the writing itself. They seemed to have put too little effort into the details that make a work like this come to life. Basically, the authors got the broad outlines of the plot, but they fail to present it in a smooth and believeable way that is the hallmark of good writing. They had their eyes on the rights plotline goals, but the presentation of story is rather clumsy... The original Dune story is so rich, its hard to imagine anyone getting things clsoe to such perfection again, and I suppose we should give them credit for making the effort, but I think that this work does not really merit publication as a set of books. It should have been serialized in one of the science fiction magazines, or something. If you are a true Dune fanatic, you will probably read the books anyway, since your curiosity will get you. But I would place these recent Dune books at the bottom of my entertainment list, if I were you... At least wait until they hit the library, so you can look at them for free... Douglas Hemmick
Rating: 
Summary: Not legendary material - not even close.
Review: We must commend the authors for their effort. I'm surethey realize going up against Frank Herbert's DUNE is a very difficulttask, but they still tried. For that, at the very least, we must givethem credit. Unfortunately, while I do respect the authors for theirattempt, these books come no where near the level of complexity of theoriginal DUNE. For one thing, the writing style is completelydifferent. The constant use of certain adjectives really gets oldafter a while, as does the incessant use of particular words that theauthor's repeat and repeat and repeat. The writing aside, the bookdoesn't really tell much. It's not a story, really, more like ahistory book. If Frank Herbert had written "House Atreides"before the original DUNE, it would have fallen into the pile of crappysci-fi books that occupy much of the literary market nowadays. Youreally have to have read DUNE to understand what's going on in thesequels, so newbies to the DUNE books should steer clear of these forright now. As far as this book goes, "House Harkonnen",I'd put it on an equal level with "House Atreides". I mustsay it's interesting to read all the history behind DUNE, how the maincharacters grew up and "matured" (although some of themnever really mature, even after their adults.) It's good to see thefat Baron again, and an adult Leto Atreides. Halleck is alsointroduced in this book, the famous swordsman who will later trainPaul Atreides in DUNE. Unfortunately, Duncan Idaho, one of my favoritecharacters, is left completely out of this one, except for a brief(and I mean brief) appearance at the beginning of the book. It's toobad, since his story was one of the more interesting of those followedby "House Atreides". If you're a die hard DUNE fan, buythe book. You're going to anyway, no matter what I say. Be warned,though, and don't expect to experience DUNE all over again. It doesn'teven come close, unfortunately.
Rating: 
Summary: a must read!
Review: The first book was great -- this one is even better! Now it's going to be a long year to wait for Book 3.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Very Close...but not quite there
Review: I, like almost every other contributor, read the Dune series and have read the first prequel, House Atriedes. That book was startling in its originality and was bought simply because it was yet another "Dune" book. Saying that, it was very enjoyable. I had feared "House Harkonnen" for the simple reason that I did not see how the Baron could possibly serve in a full-length setting for a story. I was wrong. It is just as good and just as original (maybe more) as their previous work. I have only one complaint - the continual switching from storyline to storyline for each chapter. It was meant to heighten the tension but only caused agitation. Still, the story of Leto's first child, the relatives of the Baron, the Bene Geserit breeding "error", the fight on Ix and all the other subplots were stunningly tied together. One MUST read Dune and the other prequel in order to understand both the language and the plot. This book was filled with bitterness - the torture-loving nephew of the Baron, the destruction of the IXians, the loss of Leto's son and first concubine, the loss of the Sisterhood in denying love...all these made it a bitter-sweet read. It also set the stage for the next book which, to me, will be the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity since the rulers of the known Universe are the least-detailed in the stories so far.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting and True to the Original Series
Review: Beautifully done with great plot twists and a terrific tempo. This book, along with the first, goes a long way in giving us a history to the mystery of the characters from the original series. In addition, they stand alone very well.
Rating:
Summary: Not good, but it's Dune so I have to keep reading...
Review: I found myself skimming through the end of this book just to see what happened. I can't understand why people are giving this book 5 stars...sure it's a Dune book and that's (arguably) better than no Dune book at all, but seriously "Dune: House Harkonnen" has all the subtlety of a Transformers cartoon. Doesn't matter though...if you're a Dune fan you'll buy it anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Second Acts Can Be Tough
Review: This is a solid effort, although not quite up to the first of the prequel novels, House Atreides. The authors have to juggle numerous plot lines in order to bring the players into position for both the final prequel, House Corrino, and the original novel. The net result tends to be both a diffusion of effort and unresolved themes with a series of disasters, which will disappoint some readers. Where this novel is most effective is outlining the breakdown of Imperium order, which sets the basis for the Atreides and Fremen conquest of the original series, and the origins of the Leto-Jessica romance. Nonetheless, unlike House Atreides, the characters seem more like chips caught in ocean storms in this novel, rather than the strong-willed individuals fans of the series have come to know. Several, like Glossu Rabban, are little more than simplistic caricatures -- a feature which remains a key deficiency in Herbert's and Anderson's narrative. The complaints from reviewers who insist on holding up the prequels to the standard of the original novel are misplaced because this trilogy is based on Frank Herbert's notes and intended to set a logical basis for the original novel. And it is far more coherent and thoughtful than most efforts. See, for example, the 'complete, authorized guide and companion,' The Dune Encyclopedia by Willis E. McNelly (published by Berkley Books, 1984, with Frank Herbert's blessing) -- a fantastical and silly backgrounder. And let's remember that the final novels by Herbert went a-wandering and were not as good as Dune and Dune Messiah. Enjoy House Harkonnen for the mission that the authors have sought to follow, and not some impossible standard that no one could achieve.
Rating:
Summary: They Do It Again
Review: I thought this was another thought provoking book written by two enthusiastic writers. I could not put it down and I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I have been a Dune fan for years and thought the series would end when Frank Herbert died. It took a tremendous amount of courage to follow in the great man's footsteps. He would be very proud of his son for both of the prequels. This book helped to explain some of the questions I always had about the series. In particular I wondered why Baron Harkonnen was so obese. It explained why Liet Kynes followed in his fathers footsteps. There was an explanation of how the Missiona Protectiva sowed seeds for the coming of the Kwisatz Haderach. Ix and the Bene Theileux finally made more sense to me. I truly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to other Dune fans.
Rating:
Summary: same tone as first prequel
Review: If you likes the first prequel, you'll like this volume. Likewise, if you hated it, then you'll hate this one. Some of the dangling subplots in the first prequel are fleshed out in this volume. A lesser complaint is that there are too many unconnected subplots in these volumes. They relate more to the original's series than to each other. The prequels flesh out the background of Frank's series, but lack their subtly and texture. Each re-reading of Frank Sr.s original book reviews details I had missed before. I don't feel I'll gain additional insight re-reading Brian's prequels.
Rating:
Summary: even better than HOUSE ATREIDES!
Review: The first book, HOUSE ATREIDES, was great -- a long-delayed return to the DUNE universe. Luckily, we only had to wait a year for HOUSE HARKONNEN, and this is even better, darker, more dramatic. I hope these authors continue the series for a long time!
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