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282nd out of 841 books
—
694 voters
Dune: House Harkonnen (Prelude to Dune #2)
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson return to the vivid universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune, bringing a vast array of rich and complex characters into conflict to shape the destiny of worlds....
As Shaddam sits at last on the Golden Lion Throne, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen plots against the new Emperor and House Atreides — and against the mysterious Sisterhood of the Bene Gesseri...more
As Shaddam sits at last on the Golden Lion Throne, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen plots against the new Emperor and House Atreides — and against the mysterious Sisterhood of the Bene Gesseri...more
Paperback, 752 pages
Published
August 28th 2001
by Spectra
(first published January 2000)
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Jan 05, 2009
Shelly - The Illustrated Librarian -
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any fan of "Dune"
Shelves:
sci-fi
Dune is one of my all-time favorite books, and this is a great addition to the canon.
It's so exciting to learn the histories of the well-loved characters of Dune. Brian Herbert's writing style is very similar to his father's, so the book (and the whole prequel trilogy) doesn't seem out of place in the Dune universe.
We spend a lot of time with the young Duke Leto in this volume, along with his best friend, Prince Rhombur of the tech planet Ix. Readers also meet the loathsome Tleilaxu and learn a...more
It's so exciting to learn the histories of the well-loved characters of Dune. Brian Herbert's writing style is very similar to his father's, so the book (and the whole prequel trilogy) doesn't seem out of place in the Dune universe.
We spend a lot of time with the young Duke Leto in this volume, along with his best friend, Prince Rhombur of the tech planet Ix. Readers also meet the loathsome Tleilaxu and learn a...more
I got a hundred pages in before saying to myself, "What was I thinking?" Brian Herbert's half (what there was of it that was detectable; I severely suspect that the only reason his name is on the dust jacket was for marketing purposes) barely covers up the stink of Kevin Anderson's goopy, vapid, deliberate "prose."
Contrary to the reviewer's blurbs, this cash cow in the shape of a book is painfully contrived, insultingly predictable, and completely not in the spirit of Dune.
Dropped it like it was...more
Contrary to the reviewer's blurbs, this cash cow in the shape of a book is painfully contrived, insultingly predictable, and completely not in the spirit of Dune.
Dropped it like it was...more
While the House Trilogy had a few nice scenes, it was an ultimately unneccessary trilogy which was only exacerbated by the fact that Brian and Kevon chose to write this and another McDune trilogy BEFORE they finally did Dune 7 (and what a HUGE disappointment that was!)
Baron Harkonnen is getting fatter and fatter and he hates it and it makes him mad at the Bene Gesserit. In the real Dune books, he isn't bothered by this and seems to enjoy it, so Brian and Kevin basically ruined it for us by retco...more
Baron Harkonnen is getting fatter and fatter and he hates it and it makes him mad at the Bene Gesserit. In the real Dune books, he isn't bothered by this and seems to enjoy it, so Brian and Kevin basically ruined it for us by retco...more
House Harkonnen - Good Evil: My review is listed below but first a disclaimer - I am disheartened by our rejecto-matic society where only the original version has merit and it is super cool to dismiss any new effort as bad. I did not read "The Maine Woods" and hold it up against Thoreau's Walden. On it own House Harkonnen is a fine work. I have just read many of the reviews herein and am shocked - no doubt they are by the same folks who did not like the Star Wars prequels - I guarantee that thes...more
*Same review for the Dune Universe*
GREAT books! VERY time consuming! Worth the time!
Ok here is the deal. If your not sure about starting a series this big, here is what I would do.
1. -- Read the 1st one by Frank Herbert "Dune" if you like it...
2. -- Read the "Legends Of Dune" series. Its 3 books written by Frank's son Brian and a author I really like by the name of Keven J. Anderson. Its a prequel that is so far in the past that it doesn't spoil the Original Dune series in any way, and you could...more
GREAT books! VERY time consuming! Worth the time!
Ok here is the deal. If your not sure about starting a series this big, here is what I would do.
1. -- Read the 1st one by Frank Herbert "Dune" if you like it...
2. -- Read the "Legends Of Dune" series. Its 3 books written by Frank's son Brian and a author I really like by the name of Keven J. Anderson. Its a prequel that is so far in the past that it doesn't spoil the Original Dune series in any way, and you could...more
Aug 30, 2012
Clark Hallman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction
Dune: House Harkonnen is another excellent prequel to Frank Herbert’s Dune series. It was co-written by Herbert’s son and Kevin Anderson, who have collaborated on several other Dune prequels including Dune House Atreides. I really liked this one. It develops the total evilness of Baron Harkonnen and his nephew, Rabban. The Benne Gesserit enhance their involvement (and influence) in both House Attreides and House Harkonnon. Leto, who eventually will be Paul’s father, has a son with his concubine,...more
If you are a Dune fan, this is for you. I'm reading them out of order - House Atreides goes first, but it's so great to see the characters before they get to Dune. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson write in a style so close to Frank Herbert, that the books are easily connected to the original Dune series. You finally see why the Baron is so grotesque, Jessica had a son, why Gurney and Duncan are so loyal, and who Duke Leto is. Great Read
I was slow in warming up to the idea of Brian Herbert/Kevin Anderson adding side-bar stories to Frank Herbert's classic SciFi series. After having read this book, I've now added other Dune books by the Herbert/Anderson team to my wish list.
This book is well written. I appreciate how it remained true to the character personalities portrayed in the original series. Within the first 20 pages, I was immersed in the ever-familiar universe of Dune. It seemed the writing duo made every effort to keep F...more
This book is well written. I appreciate how it remained true to the character personalities portrayed in the original series. Within the first 20 pages, I was immersed in the ever-familiar universe of Dune. It seemed the writing duo made every effort to keep F...more
It was not a surprise!
Negatives:
1-the scifi readers do not need repeating the ideas. they are smart enough and if you keep eye on lazy readers you will loose serious ones. just check frank herbert works. he intrduces an idea once and just uses it and does not repeat it for you to not forget his points!
2-the story needs to be entertaining. there was only one point of decision making by leto and it was simple one. (better than nothing)
3-you will never think about this book again. all problems sol...more
Negatives:
1-the scifi readers do not need repeating the ideas. they are smart enough and if you keep eye on lazy readers you will loose serious ones. just check frank herbert works. he intrduces an idea once and just uses it and does not repeat it for you to not forget his points!
2-the story needs to be entertaining. there was only one point of decision making by leto and it was simple one. (better than nothing)
3-you will never think about this book again. all problems sol...more
Oh, these Dune books. They're something else.
Second in the Prelude to Dune trilogy written by Frank Herbert's son, Brian, this story seems more convoluted than the first one, House Atreides, or the original Herbert series. Or maybe I'm just getting more dumb as I go along. It doesn't help that I read these damn books any ol' time, instead of all at once like I probably should. In any case, there are lots of different storylines here, and I'm not entirely convinced that all those different plots...more
Second in the Prelude to Dune trilogy written by Frank Herbert's son, Brian, this story seems more convoluted than the first one, House Atreides, or the original Herbert series. Or maybe I'm just getting more dumb as I go along. It doesn't help that I read these damn books any ol' time, instead of all at once like I probably should. In any case, there are lots of different storylines here, and I'm not entirely convinced that all those different plots...more
I liked this book A LOT better than House Atreides. Events slowly start to pick up and (thankfully) many years pass in this book, unlike the first book which only had a few years pass. Sure, I had my problems with it but it still kept me interested to see the characters grow up and finally mature. I really enjoyed Liet's tale on Dune. Although, it was obvious from the first description, who Chani's mother would be with the repeated usage of "elfin" annoyed me.
The only perspective lacking was the...more
The only perspective lacking was the...more
None of the prequels are of the same caliber as the original Dune, and I don't think they need to be. These books were created for us die hard fans that can't get enough of the Dune universe. Come into these expecting to be entertained and to gain more knowledge on the events leading up to DUNE, and you will enjoy them. I think they do what they set out to accomplish.
So far, this is my favorite of the House series. The action really starts to build and we are taken deeper into the goings on of...more
So far, this is my favorite of the House series. The action really starts to build and we are taken deeper into the goings on of...more
I really loved this book. Usually, I don't like sequels of great books because the sequel usually stain the reputation of the first book (read: "World Without an End"), but this is a case of a good prequel.
For one thing, I finally could see Duke Leto being the incredible man that everyone talked about in Dune. I felt like we couldn't really get a good feel for him in Dune; he was a good ruler according to many, but we don't see facts of that. In this book, however, we see that he really is a de...more
For one thing, I finally could see Duke Leto being the incredible man that everyone talked about in Dune. I felt like we couldn't really get a good feel for him in Dune; he was a good ruler according to many, but we don't see facts of that. In this book, however, we see that he really is a de...more
Copy of my Launchpad review from 2001 of Atriedes and Harkonnen:
A second instance of ‘add-a-chapter-to-an-existing-series’ syndrome. The first two books in the Prelude Trilogy (as far as I know one - and only one - more is to be printed sometime in 2001). This time written by the son of the creator, and a man with many credits for books in long running sci-fi universes.
Again, as a lover of both the book and the film I really liked these books; they capture the way in which the universe-spanning...more
A second instance of ‘add-a-chapter-to-an-existing-series’ syndrome. The first two books in the Prelude Trilogy (as far as I know one - and only one - more is to be printed sometime in 2001). This time written by the son of the creator, and a man with many credits for books in long running sci-fi universes.
Again, as a lover of both the book and the film I really liked these books; they capture the way in which the universe-spanning...more
Another McDune. I can’t seem to stop myself from picking one of these up from time to time. It’s a compulsion or, at best, a guilty pleasure. I know even as I read them that they will not be nearly as good as the original and that many of the details seem to be at odds with the originals by Frank. Still, I plow through them as though I expect to find a gem in there. That being said, I have read worse things……I’ll get you Gatsby! I’ll GET YOU!!!.... With this particular book, I found that it seem...more
SUMMARY: 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 loath...more
This book was an excellent addition to the Dune universe. I seriously considered giving it five stars, but on reflection, the gruesome torture scenes by the Harkonnens were enough to have me to skip ahead. And for that, I'll have to say it wasn't perfect. I loved how the authors fleshed out the Duke's humanity, how Jessica came into the Duke's company, and how Rhombur survived. I felt like I was watching Star Wars 3 again since you know some things have to match up for the novel that started it...more
The House Trilogy is my favorite of all of the extended duniverse trilogies. It was the first one that I read and it has continually became a firm favorite for re-reads. Mainly because it is leading right up to the book that makes this series so popular - Dune.
In House Harkonnen we see the Baron, with his protigy Rabban, making plots within plots to squeeze every grain of spice out of Arrakis and to bring about House Atreides downfall. We see Kailea and Rhombur Vernius trying to ressurect their...more
In House Harkonnen we see the Baron, with his protigy Rabban, making plots within plots to squeeze every grain of spice out of Arrakis and to bring about House Atreides downfall. We see Kailea and Rhombur Vernius trying to ressurect their...more
Right now for me the Dunes volumes written by Brian Herbert are little better than those written by his father mostly because of adherence of the stories.
House Harkonnen is a prequel to the original Dune series. Here we meet Leto Atreides and Jessica, the Sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit, conflicts between the Houses, conspiracies and rules interfering even in choosing person to marry by the Duke. For begginers and fans (if they aren't too ortodox).
House Harkonnen is a prequel to the original Dune series. Here we meet Leto Atreides and Jessica, the Sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit, conflicts between the Houses, conspiracies and rules interfering even in choosing person to marry by the Duke. For begginers and fans (if they aren't too ortodox).
I'm enjoying these prequels. They are making me want to revisit the first book even more, but I have too much other reading to do! I will eventually revisit the original Dune...
These books are sooooo loong. I'm a slow reader, so it takes me forever to get through them. But all in all, I'm glad to have invested the time in this...
What I like: I'm being drawn into the world of Dune even further, and enjoying some of the characters in the process. Most interesting in this is hearing Gurney's story...more
These books are sooooo loong. I'm a slow reader, so it takes me forever to get through them. But all in all, I'm glad to have invested the time in this...
What I like: I'm being drawn into the world of Dune even further, and enjoying some of the characters in the process. Most interesting in this is hearing Gurney's story...more
If you’ve read my review of House Atreides, then you’ve pretty much read my review of House Harkonnen. Herbert and Anderson haven’t changed much from one book to the next. How regrettable.
One difference is a glaring one, and it is annoying as hell: The authors feel the need to constantly remind the reader of everything that happened in the preceding book. Everything. And its not done with subtlety, either; out of nowhere, they retell the plot of the first book in a journalistic style. Then 100 p...more
One difference is a glaring one, and it is annoying as hell: The authors feel the need to constantly remind the reader of everything that happened in the preceding book. Everything. And its not done with subtlety, either; out of nowhere, they retell the plot of the first book in a journalistic style. Then 100 p...more
House Harkonnen is the middle volume of the prequel to Frank Hebert's legendary series as written by his son Brian Hebert and Kevin J. Anderson, and as anyone with a passing knowledge of the Dune universe could have told you without looking, the very title of this book bodes badly for everyone.
The story lines begun in House Atreides continue briskly onward, and many of the characters that Dune fans are familiar with come into their recognizable selves in this volume, but that's where the good ne...more
The story lines begun in House Atreides continue briskly onward, and many of the characters that Dune fans are familiar with come into their recognizable selves in this volume, but that's where the good ne...more
Started reading this series as they were all my library currently has for Dune novels. One wonders at times though if they had someone who read over the books beforehand. Yes, some of the canon is going to be different and I can go along with that, but there's some things that just stand out to me. Fremen crying? It's a waste of the body's moisture on Dune! There are other times however that they manage to give you that bit of humor, and they're good books, but it does stray too far from the Dun...more
This series continues to amaze me. Seeing how the events of the first book settle, how the couples I recognize from the Frank Herbert books come together, and the intricate court intrigue all really impress me.
I had to put this book down when I was nearly finished and in the year it took me to get back to it I was surprised how much I forgot. I re-read from the middle and got caught up. It was amazing that the atmosphere is what I think about most often. Reading about Castle Caladan is like bei...more
I had to put this book down when I was nearly finished and in the year it took me to get back to it I was surprised how much I forgot. I re-read from the middle and got caught up. It was amazing that the atmosphere is what I think about most often. Reading about Castle Caladan is like bei...more
Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson do a pretty good job of weaving different characters and storylines throughout the length of the novel so one never is terribly bored of one or the other. However, when they get to wrapping some of these up for the end of the book and setting up the next novel, they always seem rushed. Everything that had been hinted at earlier seems rushed and not nearly as grand as foreshadowed. The payoffs are not given much time, partly because they try to wrap up too much...more
good continuance of the prequel trilogy. I have to admit I read the trilogy in such short order that I forget what happened in this one. The fact that Brian and Kevin collaborate so thoroughly does still come across as short snippets that reflect a modern novel format, suited to movie going short attention spans. But this is more a critique of society, not these two writing in a way that appeals to such a market. I consider all three equally interesting, not as good as the Jihad trilogy, which g...more
HOUSE HARKONNEN continues the plot-intensive story of the pre-DUNE years. Duncan Idaho goes off to become a swordmaster, the indomitable Gurney Halleck is introduced, and we find out - in a cruel twist of fate for several main characters - how the Baron Harkonnen acquired his disgusting, disease-ridden form we all know and love. I think this book, while still a good read, really displays Herbert & Anderson's fatal flaw: that without constant story movement, they are unable to construct an en...more
Though I knew perfectly well I wouldn't like it, I was curious enough to sample one more of the Dune prequels before moving on. This one is set much closer to the real Dune than The Machine Crusade and shows the earlier lives of a lot of Dune characters. Still full of cliches, though here mostly hung on a skeleton of genuine Frank Herbert themes.
This beautiful book is a continuation of house atreties but this perticular book leanes a bit more towards the actions of house Harkonnen led by the sick and murderous Baron. The baron has been warned by petir his twisted mennant that the dustruction of his house is near and will be carried out by Leto Atreties. A dont miss read.
The joint authors are running out of fresh ideas. Plausible filler material on Kynes, on how he affected Arrakis, but it mostly feels a dutiful way of getting the scene set for "Dune" itself. That's probably the last Dune novel I read in my life.
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Brian Patrick Herbert is a best selling American author who lives in Washington state. He is the elder son of famed science fiction author Frank Herbert.
Brian and his wife, Jan Herbert, have been happily married for forty years (as of 2007). They have three daughters, Julie, Kim, and Margaux Beverly. Brian also has an elder half-sister, Penny; their younger brother, gay activist Bruce Calvin Herbe...more
More about Brian Herbert...
Brian and his wife, Jan Herbert, have been happily married for forty years (as of 2007). They have three daughters, Julie, Kim, and Margaux Beverly. Brian also has an elder half-sister, Penny; their younger brother, gay activist Bruce Calvin Herbe...more
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Feb 04, 2012 01:18pm