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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Star Rating: 5 stars
Date: 6/28/23 – 7/5/23
Note: This may be the 1st book in the Prelude to Dune series but in chronological/Dune Universe order (which is how I’m reading the books); it is the 7th so this will not be an in-depth review to avoid spoilers.
After discovering, reading, and loving the original Dune book from my local public library, I did some research to see which book I was supposed to read next and realized that there were prequel novels in the Dune Universe. As there were a lot of aspects in the Dune book that I wanted to know more about, I decided that I would go back and read the prequel books, then re-read Dune, and continue with the series as I thought that was how I would get the most out of the series and world. Following this path, I was able to get to Dune: House Atreides, the 1st book in the Prelude to Dune trilogy and the 7th book in the Dune Universe reading order as my cross-over book between June and July. This book tells the story of Leto Atreides, Vladimir Harkonnen, Pardot Kynes, and Crown Prince Shaddam Corrino, which are characters that I personally met in the original Dune, and it tells the story of how they came to the point they are at the start of Dune.
If you have read any of the Dune books, then you know that although they have a plot that I personally find very interesting, the focus of the story is most definitely the themes/conversions that the authors are trying to have with the reader. Side note, this is probably why I enjoy classic science fiction and fantasy so much as I am a major themes reader; I really like my novels to have some kind of weight to them as it makes them more challenging and engaging for me. Anyway, when it comes to Dune, the recurring themes have to do with leadership and ecology. There are many examples of leaders in this installment and they come to power in drastically different ways, which I won’t spoil, but the different ways in which they come to power and keep/maintain power as well as how they influence some of our future main characters is the backbone of this book.
When it comes to how ecology factors into this book, we visit many different planets over the course of this book and see how the environments are affected by the presence of people and vice versa. We get the impression that the authors are very worried about humans taking advantage of the natural resources they come into contact with and taking them for granted, and as a result, this book/series becomes eco-criticism. In a related note, the storyline that I loved the most was Pardot Kynes’s, because as a planetologist, he really worked as a lens for this theme. He was also my favorite storyline as there was a time when I really wanted to be in a field similar to his and I took classes for it, which I think lead to me appreciating his storyline and what the authors were trying to do with it more.
All in all, if you have read the original Dune and want to know more about different aspects of the narrative, then I highly suggest reading the prequel novels. I wouldn’t pay attention to those individuals who say that they aren’t worth reading or that the new authors are just riding on the coattails of the original authors because for one they were both successful authors before taking on this project, they are using original notes and research of the original author to write these books, and they are being incredibly respectful to the original author. I think the prequel books are really worth your time if you want to get the most out of the Dune universe and I personally will continue reading them. 5 stars and one I will be adding to my forever shelves!!!!!!
Date: 6/28/23 – 7/5/23
Note: This may be the 1st book in the Prelude to Dune series but in chronological/Dune Universe order (which is how I’m reading the books); it is the 7th so this will not be an in-depth review to avoid spoilers.
After discovering, reading, and loving the original Dune book from my local public library, I did some research to see which book I was supposed to read next and realized that there were prequel novels in the Dune Universe. As there were a lot of aspects in the Dune book that I wanted to know more about, I decided that I would go back and read the prequel books, then re-read Dune, and continue with the series as I thought that was how I would get the most out of the series and world. Following this path, I was able to get to Dune: House Atreides, the 1st book in the Prelude to Dune trilogy and the 7th book in the Dune Universe reading order as my cross-over book between June and July. This book tells the story of Leto Atreides, Vladimir Harkonnen, Pardot Kynes, and Crown Prince Shaddam Corrino, which are characters that I personally met in the original Dune, and it tells the story of how they came to the point they are at the start of Dune.
If you have read any of the Dune books, then you know that although they have a plot that I personally find very interesting, the focus of the story is most definitely the themes/conversions that the authors are trying to have with the reader. Side note, this is probably why I enjoy classic science fiction and fantasy so much as I am a major themes reader; I really like my novels to have some kind of weight to them as it makes them more challenging and engaging for me. Anyway, when it comes to Dune, the recurring themes have to do with leadership and ecology. There are many examples of leaders in this installment and they come to power in drastically different ways, which I won’t spoil, but the different ways in which they come to power and keep/maintain power as well as how they influence some of our future main characters is the backbone of this book.
When it comes to how ecology factors into this book, we visit many different planets over the course of this book and see how the environments are affected by the presence of people and vice versa. We get the impression that the authors are very worried about humans taking advantage of the natural resources they come into contact with and taking them for granted, and as a result, this book/series becomes eco-criticism. In a related note, the storyline that I loved the most was Pardot Kynes’s, because as a planetologist, he really worked as a lens for this theme. He was also my favorite storyline as there was a time when I really wanted to be in a field similar to his and I took classes for it, which I think lead to me appreciating his storyline and what the authors were trying to do with it more.
All in all, if you have read the original Dune and want to know more about different aspects of the narrative, then I highly suggest reading the prequel novels. I wouldn’t pay attention to those individuals who say that they aren’t worth reading or that the new authors are just riding on the coattails of the original authors because for one they were both successful authors before taking on this project, they are using original notes and research of the original author to write these books, and they are being incredibly respectful to the original author. I think the prequel books are really worth your time if you want to get the most out of the Dune universe and I personally will continue reading them. 5 stars and one I will be adding to my forever shelves!!!!!!
A complex story of space adventure and political intrigue that, unfortunately, doesn’t hold up over time. Smart women are calculating villains, gay men are disgusting aberrations, and straight men are playmaking heroes. No, thanks.
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pleasantly surprised with this one considering all the hate Brian Herbert’s Dune books receive. Most certainly it’s not as introspective or insightful as Frank’s writing, but a fascinating expansion upon the Dune universe and its characters nonetheless.
A much better sci-fi read than I was expecting. It's not Frank Herbert perhaps, but it does have the richest universe to draw upon and a competent writing team, so this engaged my imagination and filled out a great deal of the backstory to Dune. Well worth the time, even if it is not at the same level as the original masterwork. 7/10
Reading to Kenneth. Slow going due to rehearsals for Christmas show.
Having gone back and re-read Dune made me realize just how bad Brian Herbert's "House" books are. And it's not just a matter of writing style. Even the characterizations are off compared to Dune. And frankly, this prequel trilogy adds nothing to the Dune series.
If I could make a recommendation to someone new to Dune, read the original novels by Frank Herbert. Read the concluding novels Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune (Even though they were written by Brian, they're based on Frank's notes, and if you get that far in the series, you'll want to know the ending.) Then, if you're curious, read The Butlerian Jihad and the books in that trilogy. Though they all would have been better as an encyclopedia to Dune rather than as novels, they do provide some interesting information about the Dune universe (information that wouldn't make any sense or be at all relevant to you unless you've finished the Dune series). But I wouldn't bother with the House books or the new Heroes of Dune the son has been writing to insert between the events in each book of the original series. I may someday read the Sisterhood of Dune and the othe books in that trilogy if they're ever written; I suspect they will be akin to The Butlerian Jihad novels.
If I could make a recommendation to someone new to Dune, read the original novels by Frank Herbert. Read the concluding novels Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune (Even though they were written by Brian, they're based on Frank's notes, and if you get that far in the series, you'll want to know the ending.) Then, if you're curious, read The Butlerian Jihad and the books in that trilogy. Though they all would have been better as an encyclopedia to Dune rather than as novels, they do provide some interesting information about the Dune universe (information that wouldn't make any sense or be at all relevant to you unless you've finished the Dune series). But I wouldn't bother with the House books or the new Heroes of Dune the son has been writing to insert between the events in each book of the original series. I may someday read the Sisterhood of Dune and the othe books in that trilogy if they're ever written; I suspect they will be akin to The Butlerian Jihad novels.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
slow-paced