Rating: 
Summary: A must read for Dune fans but probably the weakest Dune book
Review: Dune is my all time favorite novel but I have to admit that I was disappointed after reading House Harkonnen. It's a pretty big drop off from House Attreides, book 7, but I would still recommend it for all who love Dune. As the title suggests, book 8 focuses on House Harkonnen. Essentially, its about the things Baron Vladimir Harkonnen will do to gain power, and how the Bene Gesserit sisterhood & Emporer Shaddam react to his twisted mind. An attempt to produce synthetic melange along with numerous Ixian subplots abound. Even though I only gave it 3 stars, I would still recommend this book to all who loved the first 7 novels.
... they provide good background, but are not the 5-star material found in "Dune."I thoroughly enjoyed the book (I have already read all of the other Dune books, including House Atreides), and think that other fans of Frank Herbert's Dune series will also enjoy it. To Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's credit, they have been faithful to Frank Herbert's layered writing style, and have worked deliberately to maintain as much richness and depth in this book and its prequel as possible. These are worthy additions to the Dune series, though they are a step down from the works by Dune's creator, Frank Herbert. Things to look forward to in this book: - you learn more about the Tleliaxu and their axlotl tanks - you learn where Feyd Rautha comes from - you learn why Jessica decided to bear Duke Leto the gender of child she did - and more... Enjoy the journey... Alan Holyoak
Rating: 
Summary: Frank Herbert they're NOT. Trite and overblown, they ARE
Review: I only give this book one star because it has the word "Dune" in the title. That said, this series by Anderson and Herbert's son would have been better left unwritten, but I can understand how the temptation to milk the Dune cow for profit and hoped-for glory was just too tempting to withstand. How sad. True Dune fans should be spanked for spending money to encourage them to continue Reading the first two books (I won't be buying the 3rd...), I was struck over and over again by the gauche and under-developed grasp of plot and character development. I didn't expect the same masterful depth and richness Herbert Sr. brought to the series, but I did expect more than a shallow hack at the job. Unfortunately, that's what I got. The plot is never more than a centemeter deep, the characters are as shallow and the writing can be extremely tedious. There are serious problems here with both the writers and editors... no one seemed capable of endowing this book with any real heart or real, believable emotional depth. I read page after page, WANTING to make an emotional commitment to a new incarnation of a beloved old friend - and growing more and more frustrated because there was nothing but a flimsy facade to connect with... one that kept melting under my grasp. Juvenile, shallow, trite, disappointing...can't get beyond those words. Hundreds of filler words carefully describe what everyone is wearing.... characters are wooden and incapable of capturing a reader's interest, let alone commitment... and the worst thing they could come up with for a scenario for "Beast" Rabban is killing his father? I think a 15-year-old with too much time on his hands really wrote these books. Juvenile, shallow, trite, disappointing... ....
Rating: 
Summary: The heartbreaking sequel.
Review: The heartaching sequel to the pre-Dune series continues with House Harkonnen. I'm not calling it heartbreaking because the book it bad, quite the opposite. No, it's heartbreaking because we get an intimate look at the black souls and vileness that is the Harkonnens. At times the depravity and evil of the House of Giedi Prime seems excessive. Dune readers already know the Harkonnens are corrupt, but Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson let it pile on. At times, they seem to be trying to make the Nazis, Communists, and the Taliban seem nice by comparsion. We're now introduced to some more of Dune's characters, namely Gurney Halleck and Dr. Yueh. Two interesting characters with vastly different backgrounds. One thing that bothers me, Gurney should have instantly recognized Dr. Kynes in Dune if they were in the smuggler's camp together. The writing is improving, with more details of the House and Universe arising. I'm still looking forward to House Corrino.
Rating:
Summary: An improvement, but still probably only for Dune fanatics
Review: My opinion of House Harkonnen is very similar to my opinion of House Atreides (see my review there). Like its predecessor, House Harkonnen is slow and has too many plot threads. Some of the most interesting ones (the fate of House Vernius; Abulurd Harkonnen's fight with his half-brother) are muffled in the huge number of stories being told -- we see Gurney Hallack and Duncan Idaho growing up, Duke Leto and Lady Jessica coming together, the birth of Feyd-Ruatha, etc. And like House Atreides, this book suffers from our knowledge of the future (spoiler warning) -- we know Leto, Gurney and Duncan aren't going to die and that Shaddam IV will still be emperor in the future. Still, it's a decent read -- especially for Dune fanatics like myself. It fills in the history of the Imperium. And the fight between the Tleilaxu and Vernius; between the Grumman and Ecaz -- are interesting. In fact, the book might have been better had it focused entirely on these conflicts -- with Leto and the others serving merely as secondary characters. The narrative style is improved and the higher rating I give this book is mainly due to the incredible villainy we get to see in House Harkonnen. This actually *improves* your appreciation of Dune. (Spoiler warning again). You smile knowing these monster will eventually get what's coming to them. And, of course, I'm buying the next book -- which tells my real opinion of this one (3.5 stars).
Rating: 
Summary: Below the standard
Review: I found this book to be a poor representation of Frank Herbert's Duniverse. It reads more like fan fiction than a novel by the man's son.
Rating:
Summary: The Show goes on -- too bad, the audience has already left
Review: Ah... Dune junkies. The original DUNE was such potent substance that we all found ourselves grabbing the pricy hardcovers of Frank Herbert's son's concoctions off the store shelf and actually reading them, asking ourselves every 2 pages: "Why am I reading THIS?" The original DUNE series was indeed very addictive, and we all have had this little substance abuse since then. When the fake DUNE came out, I was among the first ones to buy them, in hardcover... Woe to me, all three of them.
One thing is clear: the creator of the original DUNE was an immense literary talent; his son Brian is not. The latter's only credential is that he is the son of Frank Herbert; therefore he has an inherent right to take his father's literary canvass and turn it into a cartoon series, making a few bucks in the process. These new books' do not aim at the perpetuation of Frank Herbert's intellectual legacy. Their goal is making a few bucks off our substance abuse. I admit I may be wrong. It is quite possible the poor Brian sees himself a rightful Duke of the DUNE series with a signet on his finger but does not realize that he is out of his league. He was bright enough to understand that he could not do it alone, so he hired a writer to do it for him. For all that, as for literary collaboration of Anderson and Herbert-junior, 1+1 does not equal 2. It equals 0. Having finished reading the prequels, I opened the original DUNE. Ah, what a pleasure it is to revel in its complexities and nonpareil multi-dimentionality!
Rating:
Summary: Uh-Oh! Discrepancy!
Review: Overall, i was pleased with both this book and its predecessor, House Atreides. As a rabid Dune fan, i voraciously gobble up any new tie-ins. Of course, reading the prequels prompts one to return to the originals and read them in a new light. So imagine my surprise when, on reading Dune 1 after reading House Harkonnen i find references to the "Duke's buyers" coming FOR Jessica on Wallach IX, instead of the story of Jessica being, rather suspiciously, "offered" by the Bene Gesserit delegation to Leto on Caladan (as told in HH). It's a little disappointing when things like this happen, especially considering Herbert's own son co-wrote these books. C'mon, do your homework, boys. Besides, would the Bene Gesserit REALLY call so much attention to Jessica by markedly delivering her to Caladan with the instructions "do with her what you will"? Never have the Bene Gesserit moved so openly, and it's highly unlikely that they would, considering their precious breeding program is at stake. It would be more like them - as is alluded to in Dune 1 - to surreptitiously plant the desire in Leto for a Bene gesserit concubine and when he sends buyers to Wallach IX make sure they leave with Jessica. Although these books do not contain the political intricacies of the original series, that is, they are not a feint within a feint within a feint - possibly not even a very good feint - they are still worth reading if only to (p)revisit our beloved empire and all its key players.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous, well written.
Review: Dune: House Harkonnen is the second book in the prelude. It introduces characters such as Liet kynes, Pardot Kynes' curious son, and focuses on the Baron trying to destroy and ruin Duke Leto's life. As Leto advances in age, he faces troubles, but stands strong against his challenges. He has to handle his fears without his father. It book has a very heavy and detailed plot. Well written like the Frank Herbert's story. Beautiful and discriptive writing. Very authentic to Frank Herbert's works and writing.The plot is a sad and tragic story around the end. Creative and a world of imagination, planets, and warfare, the Dune books have been one of the best books in Sience Fiction History. I really recommend the Dune series to anybody who wants a taste of great Science Fiction.
Rating:
Summary: didn't like the writing style....
Review: I can't write and thus am no writer. But I love reading and thus have some level of appreciation for literary styles, and overall good storytelling, and so I have to say that I was not at all happy about this offering from Herbert jr. and Andersen. While House Atreides was certainly above my expectations in comparison to Frank Herbert's original masterpiece, the follow up certainly does nothing for my expectations of the third installment of the prequel. It was a labour to get through some of the tacky narration throughout the book. I won't quote any simply because there are several that you can pick out for yourself. At its worst was when the authors were attempting character framing: setting up Atreides and Fremen as noble, honourable, loyal, fair (not so much the latter obviously), and the Harkonnen as, well...the opposite. I would rather have preferred these attributes to have been relayed through actions and subtle narrative than the flashing neon lights a lot of their statements (often one-liners) were. I thought that surprisingly amateurish. And I still don't understand why three-quarters into the book, I was still being reminded of who the characters were, and their relationship to the other etc. esp that of Leto's difficult position in attaching himself to Kailea by marriage. Character building certainly got to me though: if they meant to make the Harkonnen look ruthless and downright bastar#s by Rabban's actions on Lankeveil (if that isn't spelt right, I couldnt be bothered really), then they failed but succeeded in instilling scorn in Rabban's father, and pity for the native people whose lives are mentioned in some detail but of no significance to the overall story. Overall some of the other-world experiences were of no interest or not delved into useful detail that made sense overall to the history/background of some of the characters later in the story (e.g. Liet Kynes and his time/experience on the Harkonnen prisoner planet). Luckily, Leto and Shaddam come through without too many questions put into their characters in this book, and the Baron to some extent. Some of the scenes are excellent like the sand worm race for the bride between Liet and his friend, but these are rare and far in between. Otherwise this would have been an excellent continuation of this series had it not been for the rather painful, amateurish narrative. Not happy at all. Fingers crossed for House Corrino.
Rating:
Summary: The show must go on
Review: "Prelude" seems to be the magic word nowadays. Look around you, guys! Star Wars, The Killer Angels, Rebecca's Tale, etc. However, while some authors do it very poorly, others excel in the art of creating something original and thrilling from old classics. The latter is certainly the case of the new Dune saga by Brian Herbert. To be honest with you, I don't read science fiction and fantasy novels quite often. Usually, I prefer to stick to mystery (I have always been an avid reader of the Sherlock Holmes cases) and historical novels. Nevertheless, like most people, I do have some weaknesses. As far as science fiction is concerned, the Dune saga is by far one of my favorites. It has it all: intriguing universe, complex characters, madness, action, love and hatred. If philosophy is your cup of tea, don't you worry. The Dune saga includes some very deep philosophical themes that will keep you awake at night. I was first introduced to the Dune saga at the age of 14. I read all the books written by Frank Herbert with regard to the desert world. When I finally put down the last one (just before reading them all over again) I found myself asking the following questions: seriously though, how did Leto meet Jessica? Why, despite all her Bene Gesserit training, did Jessica decide to give birth to a boy? Why do House Atreides and House Harkonnen hate each other so much? How did Duncan join House Atreides? etc. Yes, my friends, you may say I am too damn curious, but I can't do nothing about it. And, then, after I had lost all hope, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson came with the answers. "House Atreides" was an excellent novel, or, as some like to call it, a real page-turner: compelling plot, unexpected twists, interesting characters and, above all, a style so close to the original that it makes you believe old Frankie did write it after all. I was looking forward to reading the two would-be sequels. When "House Harkonnen" got out, I was among the first ones to buy it. Strangely enough, I began to read it and put it down after the first chapter. I cannot explain why. A year later, when "House Corrino" went gold, I decided to give "House Harkonnen" another chance (I can be very easy-going and complacent when I want to) and ... roughly speaking ... I liked it. Once again, Dune fans won't be disappointed. "House Harkonnen" is a very entertaining and exciting adventure. All the good and the bad guys are here, fighting the same battles, delivering the same good old speeches and plotting against each other. The main problem with this novel is that sometimes it lacks the energy of the first one. For example, at a certain point you are horrified to discover that Kailea, driven "insane" by an Harkonnen spy, plans to assassin Leto Atreides. However, while the only thing one wants is to know how everything turns out, one has to read endless chapters describing the Fremens riding their wormsands. These details may be thrilling to those who are not familiar with the Dune world, but those who are easily bored with it. Unfortunately, many chapters repeat the same mistake: cliché and déjà-vus (Fremens leading surprise attacks against Harkonnens, the Emperor gets mad and sends his soldiers, Kailea gets angry with Leto and so on). I am sorry to say that all of this could have been summarized in two books, not three. Something that really irritated me is that the authors remind us over and over again that Leto loves and cares about Kailea but cannot marry her because his father had told him to consider the best interests of House Atreides first. Hello? Most of us read "House Atreides" ... we are familiar with the problems ... no need to mention it so often. Furthermore, when reading "House Harkonnen", one sometimes gets the impression that everything goes to smoothly. Jessica and Leto fall in love too quickly; Jessica decides to give birth to a son too easily, etc. We know it all should happen (after reading Frank Herbert's Dune, of course), but it often lacks credibility. Despite these minor negative aspects, "House Harkonnen" is a thrilling and generally well-written novel. If you are a Dune fan, read it, if only for Frank Herbert's sake. If you are a newcomer (and enjoy science fiction) you will certainly like this adventure. As far as I am concerned, as a the desert world fan, I rejoiced the chance to return to one of my favorite sagas and look forward to reading "House Corrino".
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