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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Poorly written, unconcerned with the themes or even historical details of Frank Herbert's canonical work. Just pretend this doesn't exist and re-read the fantastic 6 original novels by Frank Herbert instead.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Brian Herbert-Kevin J. Anderson Dune books are quite polarizing. After having read this book, I find some of the criticism valid. But it's also clear that the authors did try to flesh out the Dune universe in a way that would satisfy Frank Herbert. They're clearly not quite as good with the art of writing, but the books aren't trash.
Of the criticisms I've seen, the one that most holds up is repetition and lack of subtlety in the writing. I'm not sure if this is because the book had two authors, but the book repeats itself as if worrying readers will forget. This is particularly frustrating when the book trues to use foreshadowing. Foreshadowing works when it provides subtle hints and sets a mood. However, the authors advertise future events far too clearly, undermining the suspense of the story. As if an exaggerated form of Chekov's Gun, if the book repeats that a particular thing is dangerous or important, know that it will play a role in later chapters.
This book - and the other House books - doesn't have a particularly strong story. I get the sees that the House books were written more to provide backstory for the main characters in Frank Herbert's Dune than to tell its own unique story. This is both good and bad. I'm glad the books don't try to overshadow the story of Dune. Dune clearly represents the climax of a struggle, and so having a major story set just decades before might have detracted from its power.
However, I do think Dune: House Atreides could have done a better job setting up a story. We learn about different characters, but even after finishing the book I'm still not entirely clear what the major conflict of the trilogy is supposed to be. There are several small-scale conflicts, but ultimately it seems our protagonists move from event to event to serve the needs of the plot. And, despite the title, this book isn't exclusively, or even primarily, about House Atreides but rather covers a range of Dune characters.
That said, if you take the book as general backstory to Dune, it actually works somewhat well (small contradictions aside). Baron Harkonnen is back as his scheming self. I actually like what the authors have done with his character. Duke Paulus, Leto's father, also works as an inspiration for Duke Leto and helps explain the Atreides mindset a bit more and the House's dispute with Emperor Shaddam.
The sections I most enjoyed though were those about Count Fenring and Shaddam. We only saw brief glimpses of those two characters in Dune but I was always curious about their relationship, especially because Dune seemed to imply Fenring was a key character but he doesn't actually do much in that novel. In Dune: House Atreides we finally see why Fenring is such an important player. I'm very much looking forward to House Corrino.
Overall, if you read this book, set your expectations. It's not great literature, not even at the level of Frank Herbert's latter Dune novels. But if you want more Dune and you're willing to suspend disbelief, House Atreides can be a fun read. Don't expect any great philosophical insights or plot twists. I do think it's safe to expect that the books will make the Dune universe feel much larger and more complicated than what we got in the original novels.
Of the criticisms I've seen, the one that most holds up is repetition and lack of subtlety in the writing. I'm not sure if this is because the book had two authors, but the book repeats itself as if worrying readers will forget. This is particularly frustrating when the book trues to use foreshadowing. Foreshadowing works when it provides subtle hints and sets a mood. However, the authors advertise future events far too clearly, undermining the suspense of the story. As if an exaggerated form of Chekov's Gun, if the book repeats that a particular thing is dangerous or important, know that it will play a role in later chapters.
This book - and the other House books - doesn't have a particularly strong story. I get the sees that the House books were written more to provide backstory for the main characters in Frank Herbert's Dune than to tell its own unique story. This is both good and bad. I'm glad the books don't try to overshadow the story of Dune. Dune clearly represents the climax of a struggle, and so having a major story set just decades before might have detracted from its power.
However, I do think Dune: House Atreides could have done a better job setting up a story. We learn about different characters, but even after finishing the book I'm still not entirely clear what the major conflict of the trilogy is supposed to be. There are several small-scale conflicts, but ultimately it seems our protagonists move from event to event to serve the needs of the plot. And, despite the title, this book isn't exclusively, or even primarily, about House Atreides but rather covers a range of Dune characters.
That said, if you take the book as general backstory to Dune, it actually works somewhat well (small contradictions aside). Baron Harkonnen is back as his scheming self. I actually like what the authors have done with his character. Duke Paulus, Leto's father, also works as an inspiration for Duke Leto and helps explain the Atreides mindset a bit more and the House's dispute with Emperor Shaddam.
The sections I most enjoyed though were those about Count Fenring and Shaddam. We only saw brief glimpses of those two characters in Dune but I was always curious about their relationship, especially because Dune seemed to imply Fenring was a key character but he doesn't actually do much in that novel. In Dune: House Atreides we finally see why Fenring is such an important player. I'm very much looking forward to House Corrino.
Overall, if you read this book, set your expectations. It's not great literature, not even at the level of Frank Herbert's latter Dune novels. But if you want more Dune and you're willing to suspend disbelief, House Atreides can be a fun read. Don't expect any great philosophical insights or plot twists. I do think it's safe to expect that the books will make the Dune universe feel much larger and more complicated than what we got in the original novels.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading the original Dune (and Dune Messiah, which I loved), I felt reservations about reading any of Brian Herbert's books in the series. My mind is changed now and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed House Atreides! Sure, there were the Dune clichés trying to capture the plans within plans prose but mostly this book was all about political intrigue.
It comes down to living up to expectations. All of the Dune books so far written by Brian Herbert have been good and would be excellent if they weren't being compared against the much superior to most sci-fi Frank Herbert books.
I feel like it is best to look at these as Fan fiction. They are great reads and add a lot more richness to the universe. They also go places where I'm not certain that Frank Herbert would have taken them sometimes.
I feel like it is best to look at these as Fan fiction. They are great reads and add a lot more richness to the universe. They also go places where I'm not certain that Frank Herbert would have taken them sometimes.
Set roughly 40 years before the events of Dune, this book relates the troubles Leto encountered on his way to becoming Duke.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes