Don't even think about reading House Harkonnen without reading its predecessor Prelude to Dune: House Atreides; anyone who does so risks sinking in the sands between Frank Herbert's original Dune and this new prequel trilogy by Herbert's son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson. The purist argument that had Herbert wanted to go backwards he would have done so is, at least in part, negated by the sheer narrative verve, and by the fact that Anderson and Brian Herbert manage to pull some genuine surprises out of this long-running space-opera. House Harkonnen is a massive book, and there are places where it becomes plot heavy, but in following the story of Duke Leto Atreides and the conflicts with House Harkonnen, the authors succeed in spinning a gripping adventure while going off in some unexpected directions. Anderson, who has written many successful Star Wars novels, has noted his particular admiration for The Empire Strikes Back, and his desire to emulate that film's dark take on the genre. In House Harkonnen the conflict encompasses the tragedy of nuclear war, is marked by grief and horror, vengeance and torment, and all while the complex intrigues continue to unfold.

Everything has its cost. We pay to create our future, we pay for the mistakes of the past. We pay for every change we make--and we pay just as dearly if we refuse to change.

Ultimately this is the theme of a compelling game of consequences, choices and responsibility, a study of Leto's growth into power and the price of politics and love. --Gary S. Dalkin

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'. . . Herbert and Anderson have met the challenge admirably . . . Even readers new to the saga will be able to follow it easily as the narrative weaves among the many interconnected tales. A terrific read in its own right.' (Publishers Weekly )

'House Atreides is a terrific prequel, but it's also a first-rate adventure on its own. Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision.' (Dean Koontz )

'Those who long to return to the world of desert, spice and sandworms will be amply satisfied.' (The Times )

'Those who have nurtured a desire to return to Herbert Sr's world of deserts, spice and sandworms can happily immerse themselves in a more than worthy continuation of the saga' (Publishing News )

'Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson succeed in weaving their own intricate saga. Dune: House Atreides does its predecessors justice.' (USA Today )

'Congratulations to Herbert and Anderson for transporting us back to this richly excavated world...A spicy melange treat for both new and long-time fans of the series' (Billy Dee Williams (of Star Wars, Lady Sings the B )

'In writing a prequel to what is arguably the best science fiction novel of all time, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson set themselves a monumental task. They succeed brilliantly. This cynical old critic found himself engrossed from page one, and eagerly looks forward to the rest of the series. Buy it now!' (Dave Wolverton (NYT bestselling author) )

'IN A WORD, SATISFYING: all Dune fans will want to investigate, newcomers will be tempted, and it should promote fresh interest in the magnificent original series.' (Kirkus )

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'Those who long to return to the world of desert, spice and sandworms will be amply satisfied.'

Duke Leto Atreides is now the skilful and much-loved ruler of Caladan, served by loyal Duncan Idaho. To his court come Gurney Halleck, despised slave of the Harkonnens - and Jessica, the exquisite, perfectly trained concubine chosen by the Reverend Mothers of the Bene Gesserit to be the mother of Leto?s daughter. Meanwhile, on Dune - planet Arrakis - House Harkonnen ruthlessly harvests the precious, mind-enhancing drug called spice. And Baron Vladimir is slowly being consumed by a loathesome disease. Rabban Harkonnen - House Atreides? most implacable enemy - prepares to take over his uncle?s empire.

A second prequel to the best-selling Dune continues the trilogy beginning with Dune: House Atreides and follows the journeys of Leto Atreides, Bardon Harkonnen, Jessica, Gurney Halleck, and Duncan Idaho. Reprint.

FRANK HERBERT, who created Dune, was born in 1920 and spent most of his early life in the Pacific Northwest of America. He was a professional photographer, journalist and occasional oyster-diver; he also had stints as a radio news commentator and jungle survival instructor. BRIAN HERBERT, his son, is a widely-published science fiction author in his own right. This is his first novel to call on his father's work: previously, he has created his own worlds, sometimes in collaboration. He has also written Dreamer of Dune, a comprehensive biography of his illustrious father. KEVIN J. ANDERSON is best known for his world-wide best-selling novels based on the universes of Star Wars and the X Files: he has been a Sunday Times number one bestseller. He is also the author of several more critically-acclaimed original novels. An expert on the US space programme, he worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for ten years.

2005-03-26 Brillaint

Far be it for me, a young Dune reader, to object to the cries of dismay from diehard frank herbert fans, but I think the whole prelude series by his son Brian and Kevin J Anderson (of star wars, X files fame,) is excellent.

I'm no writer, and I'm certainly no literary critic, I can't even spell properly 99% of the time. But I loved the original series growing up, and I think these (along with the butlerian Jihad books) perfectly compliment them *as another author*

Keep in mind that this guy is frank herberts son, but he is not frank herbert. Would you even try to emulate your father with a shadow that big?

I think with that pressure they've both done a marvelous job.
As mentioned before, the chapters where quick and involved, forcing you to go that extra chapter before you put it down. It also adds a whole new flesh to characters that were not entirley backround motivated in the original series - duncan idaho (the original duncan idaho) being a noteworthy example, jessica, and the new characters of the mentioned but not explained industry world of Ix.

All in all, I have all of the series bar this one now, and they are all worth a look to appreciate these men and their effort in the presence of the overwhelming shadow of a great, great author.