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Paul of Dune (Heroes of Dune #1)

3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 · rating details · 2,710 ratings · 150 reviews

Frank Herbert's Dune ended with Paul Muad’Dib in control of the planet Dune. Herbert’s next Dune book, Dune Messiah, picked up the story several years later after Paul’s armies had conquered the galaxy. But what happened between Dune and Dune Messiah? How did Paulcreate his empire and become the Messiah? Following in the footsteps of Frank Herbert, New York Times bestselli...more

Hardcover, 512 pages

Published September 16th 2008 by Tor Books (first published January 1st 2008)

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Nov 24, 2008 Erik rated it 2 of 5 stars

My slight obsession with all things Dune began back when I was thirteen when a good buddy of mine recommended to me Frank Herbert’s first Dune novel – which I promptly borrowed from my dad, who had a first printing copy – and the David Lynch cinematic adaptation which coincidentally came out mere months later. From there, I was enraptured with this future historical epic – much as I once was with Narnia and Middle-Earth.

What I loved most about Herbert’s original six-volume Dune series was how h...more My slight obsession with all things Dune began back when I was thirteen when a good buddy of mine recommended to me Frank Herbert’s first Dune novel – which I promptly borrowed from my dad, who had a first printing copy – and the David Lynch cinematic adaptation which coincidentally came out mere months later. From there, I was enraptured with this future historical epic – much as I once was with Narnia and Middle-Earth.

What I loved most about Herbert’s original six-volume Dune series was how he captured the messianic fervor and fictitious-intellectual underpinnings of a future history in which prophecy is slowly – albeit ambiguously -- revealed. Even subtler, the religiosity of his self-contained universe was never fully explained, with many a plot thread that was left unraveled for the reader to ponder and muse upon – much as the most die-hard Lord of the Ring fans do when they scour his notes and drafts, which are collectively published under the History of Middle-Earth series that are edited by his son Christopher. (I would also argue that this is what I loved about Dan Simmons’ audaciously original series, The Hyperion Cantos and his most recent double-feature, Illium and Olympos.) How and where did the Bene Gesserit, the Guild, the mentats of Bene Theilax originate? What happened to Earth all so long ago? And what is the real history of the Butlerian Jihad that ushered in a new era in which humans forbade themselved from making machines in their image? This is what I loved about the Herbert’s work, and it is this that I alternately love and hate about Brian and Kevin’s novelizations of Frank’s huge accumulation of notes, ideas, and – at least for Hunters and Sandworms of Dune – planned novels after his last, Chapterhouse: Dune.

Although Paul of Dune is to be their last book – according to current-reckoning – Brian and Kevin have published eight other additional Dune books in the last ten years. For the most part, the first in each of their companion trilogies – most notably Dune: House Atreides and The Butlerian Jihad – were the best. Both of these breathed new life into the mysterious world of Arrakis and the coming of the Kwisartz Haderach – the super-being of Bene Gesserit and Fremen prophecy. Jihad, in particular, is probably the best book in the entire prequel/sequel series, as it carefully and theatrically unfolds the dramatic moment in future history – a fulcrum, if you will -- on which the fate of the human race was determined in the moment of one woman’s stand and martyrdom against the machines. (Sarah Connor from the Terminator mythos was never so bold, I suggest.) But these are the highest points in an otherwise mediocre series that leaves too little to the imagination. And by that, I mean that Brian and Kevin pull back the curtain too far to show us every single motivation, explain away every previously unrevealed mystery; all while taking away a little of the magic of Frank’s awe-inspiring future universe.

The best part of Paul of Dune is the one-half of the book that deals with the years in-between Dune and Dune Messiah, as Paul, Alia, and their allies deal with the near-constant machinations of the disgraced former Emperor and his cronies. The other half, which alternates with the main-plotline, gives us a glimpse back in the not-too-far-distant past when Paul, as a young boy, became involved in the War of Assassins which involved no less than the marriage of his father, the Duke, to a fellow noble’s kinswoman. Although this works as a narrative device – both plotlines mirror each other quite effectively in theme and purpose – I can’t help but feel that Brian and Kevin are rewriting the Dune legend, and dulling ever-so-slightly my once starry-eyed imagination.

In short: I enjoy the new Dune books, but I loved the originals even better. And like New Coke, sometimes you just can’t improve upon the original – no matter how sweet you make it.
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Oct 16, 2008 Elizabeth rated it 1 of 5 stars

So far this is one of the most painful books ever written by Brian Herbert (Frank's son) and Mr. Anderson. I read them only because I know they are working from Frank Herbert's notes, and they do fill in useful information. But frankly, I think if they just published his notes, it would be a lot better reading. Their characterization is nearly non-existent and the dialogue is quite poor.

Final comment: Well, I finished it. God it was torture. I couldn't recommend it to anyone, even a diehard fan-...more

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Mar 29, 2009 Yael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Like millions of other people, I loved Frank Herbert's Dune and the five sequels to it that Herbert produced. In general, I've had mixed feelings about the prequels and sequels to Frank Herbert's series of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. It's not that they aren't good -- it's that many of them aren't very . . . Dune, dammit. The difference is something like that between the earliest versions of great movies, e.g., The Poseidon Adventure, and later versions, e.g.,Poseidon -- the originals grab...more Like millions of other people, I loved Frank Herbert's Dune and the five sequels to it that Herbert produced. In general, I've had mixed feelings about the prequels and sequels to Frank Herbert's series of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. It's not that they aren't good -- it's that many of them aren't very . . . Dune, dammit. The difference is something like that between the earliest versions of great movies, e.g., The Poseidon Adventure, and later versions, e.g.,Poseidon -- the originals grab you and don't let go, the sequels fall flat. To do Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson justice, their writing is a lot better than whoever was responsible for the atrocity that Poseidon turned out to be. It's just that they're not Frank Herbert, and while their contributions to the series constitute excellent writing, and are drawn directly from Frank Herbert's own notes about the novels he had planned to write if he'd lived long enough, they just don't have the Magick.

But there are exceptions. All of them are those which, with respect to the internal chronology of the entire series, occur very close to the time of Dune, the original, within a few decades, at most. This is true of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's Dune: House Atreides, Dune: House Harkonnen, and Dune: House Corrino -- and it's true of their Paul of Dune, as well.

Paul of Dune is a recap of Paul Mua'Dib's life from 10,187 AG to 10,197 AG, spanning the last part of Paul's effective boyhood to his first years as Emperor. It covers incidents that did not appear either in the original Dune novels by Frank Herbert or in any of the prequels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson, and gives a much richer portrait of the complex, troubled man who was Paul Mua'Dib than was available before from any author. Here is a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Corrino Imperium and the extremely dysfunctional man who led it at the end, of Paul's struggles to come to terms with his prophetic powers and his anguish at not being able to follow a path his father, Duke Leto Atreides, would have approved of, and of the careers of the many characters that have such powerful impacts on Paul, his choices, and the empire that he ultimately created. I think Frank Herbert would have approved heartily.(less)

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Feb 01, 2009 Susan rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sci-fi readers

Paul of Dune will be of interest to those who have loved Frank Herberts Dune series. I happen to be captivated by Sci-fi books/movies and read the whole series after seeing the movie back in the '80's. The books are better.

The setting of the series is the year 10,193. It traces the life and progeny of Paul Atredies, Mua'dib to his followers, a Messiah-like figure who saves the planet Arrakis (Dune) from the heavy handed rule of an evil house - the Harkonens - under the auspices of a bad empero...more

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Nov 30, 2008 Tulara rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 30, 2012 Wellington rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dune stands as of the most brilliant books ever written. The Dune Universe stands as of the one the most brilliant story settings as well.

Frank Herbert, the original author, wrote sequels to the Dune, but I never got into them as much because most of the original characters died off. This book attempts to fill in the gaps of the events after Paul make the Emperor.

Most readers hate the book because it isn't Dune. It's not Dune. It's more like spectacular fan fiction from the Dune Universe. And I'...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Jimmy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Dune Fans & Science Fiction Fans

Recommended to Jimmy by: Science Fiction Book Club.com

Shelves: science-fiction

6-08-11=This book can be confusing/complicated to follow as the writers take you from Paul Maud’Dib’s current rule as Emperor and back to when he was a young boy and his Father Leto was Duke. Buried in the confusion is the essential comparison of Emperor Paul Maud’Dib and his ruling father as Duke. You see his father’s influence and mistakes as well as those faults that are Paul’s. Through the military force of his Fedaykin fighters, the Emperor Paul forces the known planets in the universe to y...more 6-08-11=This book can be confusing/complicated to follow as the writers take you from Paul Maud’Dib’s current rule as Emperor and back to when he was a young boy and his Father Leto was Duke. Buried in the confusion is the essential comparison of Emperor Paul Maud’Dib and his ruling father as Duke. You see his father’s influence and mistakes as well as those faults that are Paul’s. Through the military force of his Fedaykin fighters, the Emperor Paul forces the known planets in the universe to yield to his prescience authority without question. The odd and yet highly entertaining child Alia is asked to stand-in for Paul when he is not able to be on the Lion Throne. Marie and her parents Fenring and the Bene Gesserit Margo, are my other favorite characters in this book that for me kept the story alive and interesting, along with the insight into Thallo and the Theilaxu Kwisatz Haderach program. I loved finally knowing what happened in the giant missing gap of time between ‘Dune’ and ‘Dune Messiah’, however the enlightening insight into his rule and childhood are too powerfully massive to express in such a short conversation.
2009=SPOILER ALERT=This book goes back and forth from the time between the books of 'Dune' and 'Dune Messiah', and the time of a young Paul growing up on Caladan. What I especially love about this book, is how it revisit’s the House Trilogy, and reminds me of all that I had forgotten of the Atreides, Corrino, and Harkonnen families. Beginning one year after the fall of Shaddam IV, the book goes into the Jihad’s beginnings, the destruction of the Landsraad, and Princess Irulan’s role as the wife of Paul-Maud‘Dib.
It goes into graphic detail of Paul’s Fedaykin fighters’ their hedonistic faith in him, their beliefs that they are carrying out his holy orders in bloody violence, without mercy, as they travel throughout the planets of the Imperium. Shaddam IV, exiled to Salusa Secundus, is desperate and asks for Fenring’s help. Irulan is writing another book on the life of Paul-Maud’Dib about his childhood.
It starts with the politically arranged marriage between House Atreides and House Ecaz, and the troubles it causes Jessica and young Paul. When the only son of House Moritani dies because of a house feud, the War of Assassins begins.
Disguised Paul-Maud’Dib joins his men in the fighting, and discovers about himself that he is not like his father Duke Leto. Jessica and Gurney return to Arrakis and report to Paul that the people see him as a tyrant, even those on Caladan. The Sisterhood requests a meeting with Marie, and is forced to leave her in the hands of her parents. Fenring uncovers the Tleilaxu-bred Kwisatz Haderach! Irulan wonders why Chani is not pregnant. The construction of the Citadel of Maud’Dib under Swordmaster Bluddi’s architectural vision continues.
Young Paul’s story continues when Duke Leto is forced into the War of Assassins, because of an attempt on Paul‘s life. The joined armies of Leto and Armand attack Grumman. After the Landsraad meeting, were Viscount Moritani receives a slap on the wrist from Shaddam for violating the rules of the War of Assassins, he demands that the Harkonnen army join his in order to defend against the invasion. Because the Baron wants to remain anonymous in Moritani’s revengeful war, the Baron is blackmailed in order for Moritani to keep their secret. Duncan and Paul seek refuge on the Eastern Continent, to keep Paul safe. They are tracked and hunted, until Paul convinces Duncan to return, to fight by his father’s side.
The first stage of the construction of the Citadel of Maud’Dib is completed. Paul holds the Great Surrender ceremony in the awe-inspiring Celestial Audience Hall. There is an assassination attack on Paul’s life. Irulan’s heart is hardened when her younger sister Rugi is an innocent victim of the attack. On Thalidei, Thallo and Marie are joined together for lessons, to learn from and teach one another. Marie is encouraged to use her deadly skills when Thallo tries to destroy the Theilaxu Kwisatz Haderach program. Shaddam IV intervenes in the war on Grumman, to prevent it from getting out of control. With the capture of Viscount Moritani, the Baron must act to protect himself and his house. Naturally consistent, Beast Rabban proves that he is not smart enough to lead, but just clever enough to survive.
Paul’s demand to speak with the Navigator and his prescience, gives him a resolution to his battle with Memnon Thorvald, Shaddam’s supporter. A visit from Maria to stay at the Citadel of Maud’Dib, gives Alia a chance to be a child, and is a threat to the life of Paul-Maud’Dib.(less)

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May 12, 2009 Prester rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Yes

Shelves: kja

When I first read "Dune" in 1983 I was amazed at how Frank Herbert was able to create an entire universe filled with new planets, alien races, politics and of course, religious fanaticism.

I was deeply saddened by the death of one of the greatest Science Fiction writers of all time.

Then to my delight, the team of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson catapulted the Sci-Fi fan base back into the world of "Dune" with some of the best written and imagined stories from the early days of the Dune legacy...more

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Mar 13, 2009 Cindy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction-fantasy

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the first three books of Dune. There were three subsequent books by Frank Herbert and, after his death, six prequel books by his son Brian Herbert and Paul Anderson. None of the books could meet the standard set by the first book--in content or style. However, I did love the subsequent two books.

I would like to once again completely reread the series--at least all six books by Frank Herbert (as I recall, I suffered through two and liked one or two of the books). I've also li...more

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Feb 01, 2010 Lauren Magoon rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a good "Gee, I wonder what happened between...." type of book. I honestly liked it, but it wasn't the best new Dune book that I've read.

In the original Dune novels, or in the TV mini-series, for that matter, there's a considerable gap in time between books. One story ends with Paul defeating the Emperor of the Known Universe, and the next story starts with him firmly entrenched as a god/dictator with this whole religion that's grown up around him. However, we really don't know how all

...more

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Jan 09, 2009 Bruce rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

I am a huge fan of Herbert's original Dune series. The depth and breadth of the series, the ecological themes that ran through it, and the remarkable characterizations have brought me back to it several times over the past years.

When the first of the Brian Herbert/Kevin Anderson books came out, I enjoyed the way they provided a new look at this world, and fleshed out the "backstory" of the various families and groups that drove the original series. The fact that much of their work was based on...more

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Dec 30, 2008 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hopefully the last of Dune. I have read them all. None were as good as "Dune". But then you can't beat the best.

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Aug 29, 2012 Guillermo Azuarte rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not nearly as bad as I thought this book would be based on reviews I had read before. I know this is going to sound blasphemous to some, but although Frank Herbert is a far superior writer, I wish there was a little more of his son Brian and Kevin Anderson in his books. Frank can be a little long winded and confusing at times. Conversely, I wish there was a lot more Frank in these new "McDune" books- there is nothing profound in this book.

But that's ok. It is what it is, and I enjoyed it as jus...more

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Sep 20, 2009 Edward rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sf

Background:
When I read Dune in the late ‘60s I was fascinated by the depiction of this future(?) society with it’s wonderful technologies mixed with it’s medieval intrigues. The Harkonnens were evil, the Corrinos were corrupt, and I rooted for the noble Atreides. The Bene Gesserits, the Spacing Guild, the Mentats, the Suk doctors, and the other groups provided a sturdy framework for the story.

Some of the echoes of our world were interesting, like The Orange Catholic Bible, and some were odd, li...more Background:
When I read Dune in the late ‘60s I was fascinated by the depiction of this future(?) society with it’s wonderful technologies mixed with it’s medieval intrigues. The Harkonnens were evil, the Corrinos were corrupt, and I rooted for the noble Atreides. The Bene Gesserits, the Spacing Guild, the Mentats, the Suk doctors, and the other groups provided a sturdy framework for the story.

Some of the echoes of our world were interesting, like The Orange Catholic Bible, and some were odd, like the sword wielding noblemen. There were also a few negatives. The pace was slow and turgid, interrupted by occasional “out of the blue” plot twists. I never reconciled the name “Duncan Idaho”, the presence of “Family Atomics”, the grossness of “stillsuits”, and other things I could have just taken at face value.

But those were my problems with someone else’s universe, fodder for the college bs sessions where we drew parallels between Arrakis and Arabia, spice and oil, Freman and Muslims, the Vietnam War and the Jihad. It seemed important at the time but detracted from my enjoyment of the other books. By God Emperor I was reading out of habit and not enjoyment.

The prequels changed all that with a faster pace, more adventure, and less angst and religion. Good and evil were not so black and white either. The prequels brought the whole Dune universe together in my mind and I finally wanted to read Chapterhouse.

The review
I cringed my way through the first third of this book. I was right back in angst and religion land. Then the adventure started and I enjoyed the ride. Purists might fault some of the books details, but I figure these interquels are really difficult to write and should get some leeway. By my reckoning, the average rating for the original 6 book series, distributed over 20 years, is 3.0 stars with only one 5. My average rating for the other 9 books, distributed over 10 years, is 4.6 stars with six 5s.

The synopsis
Some new characters appear and some minor ones are developed further. The appealing and unforgettable Princess Irulan returns and the conniving and wily Hasimir and Margot Fenring are updated to “adventure mode.” The War of Assassins is examined and we visit Paul’s grandmother. Old fighters leave the battlefield to younger soldiers, Paul and his palace grow grandiose, and Alia makes a timely decision. Telling more would be spoiling the fun.

My rating is 4 stars instead of 5 for making me slog through the first third.(less)

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Dec 02, 2011 NibbledToDeathByCats rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, science-fiction

I enjoyed this. Having just recently read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune (all for the second time), the questions I brought to it were will it fit, and will it fill in the middle of the Paul Atreides arc, bridging the gap between Dune and Dune Messiah? In short, yes. I can wholeheartedly condone reading this book between Dune and Dune Messiah. Not only does it preserve continuity, but it is also an exciting book in its own right that augments the original series meaningfully.

Okay, that...more I enjoyed this. Having just recently read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune (all for the second time), the questions I brought to it were will it fit, and will it fill in the middle of the Paul Atreides arc, bridging the gap between Dune and Dune Messiah? In short, yes. I can wholeheartedly condone reading this book between Dune and Dune Messiah. Not only does it preserve continuity, but it is also an exciting book in its own right that augments the original series meaningfully.

Okay, that's enough in the vein of of glowing praise. This book did have one weakness that I would like to remark on — that it is actually two books, Emperor Muad'Dib and Young Paul, woven together through seven parts in an overall clumbsy juxtaposition. Indeed in my favorable comments above, I mainly had the Emperor Muad'Dib half in mind, and I was left wondering whether the whole package might not have been more effective with Young Paul as a separate novella, each half more independently developed. Future readers might try this experiment: read parts 2, 4, and 6 first, then go back and read 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Earlier I said this book preserves continuity, and that is not completely true. Young Paul does contradict Dune on a minor point of the character's previous space travel experience prior to the events of Dune. The book has a strangely couched rationalization, or daresay apology, for the difference, that doesn't quite come off smoothly.

While I enjoyed both books, I liked Emperor Muad'Dib more. This in part because two of my favorite Dune characters, Count and Lady Fenring, featured prominently. Young Paul clicked right along with its own engaging story, and brought additional depth to familiar supporting characters and to the politics of the Imperium, but a few scenes struck me as underdeveloped, overly tidy, or uncharacteristic to the Dune universe. Young Paul could have been better. I would temper these few complaints though with the observation that these authors largely achieved a goal of exceding difficulty — a compelling interquel to a classic series that fits its place in the sequence, but also stands on its own merits.(less)

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Dec 15, 2008 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was a little disapointing because Paul loses himself in his own religion in order to walk the thin path that he sees will allow mankind to survive. It is revealed in this book that Paul foresees that there is a battle that mankind will have to fight in the very far future (the final battle with Omnius after the Scattering, presumably) where the very survival of the species is at stake and that is why he chooses the course of action that he does and allows the attrocities of his war to...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Delicious Strawberry rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: terrible-book, brian-herbert, kevin-j-anderson

Sigh. Where do we start? The cardboard characters? The plot inconsistencies? The contradictions with Frank Herbert's books?

Again, another unnecessary addition to the Dune series. If Brian and Kevin had put all their effort into writing Dune 7 than piddling around with two prequel trilogies, then we MIGHT have a worthy read.

But no. They just couldn't stop at Dune 7 and move on to go back to writing their own original series. No. Dune is their cash cow, and they're going to milk it, by gum!

Here, w...more

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Jan 23, 2009 John rated it 3 of 5 stars

Never have I felt more like a nerd than reading this book on the subway. This is about the ninth book Brian Herbert has written, and I keep telling myself I'm not reading anymore... and then I do. I can't help myself. Frank Herbert's Dune series is one of the greatest SciFi series of all time (if not THE greatest), and although his son doesn't have his writing ability he does possess a great imagination (as well as his father's notes and outlines). He also possesses an all consuming passion for...more

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Aug 16, 2011 David Roth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Brian Herbert has accomplished a lot as the heir to the the Dune Legacy. It is extremely rare for another author than the originator to pick up the previous writer's work and do it justice. It didn't work with the Foundation series after Asimov's death, it hasn't worked with the Bond empire, and it's a very suspect success with the continuation of Robert Ludlam's Bourne series. Clearly a Bourne by any other name does not smell the same.

What Brian Herbert has accomplished is take a science fictio...more Brian Herbert has accomplished a lot as the heir to the the Dune Legacy. It is extremely rare for another author than the originator to pick up the previous writer's work and do it justice. It didn't work with the Foundation series after Asimov's death, it hasn't worked with the Bond empire, and it's a very suspect success with the continuation of Robert Ludlam's Bourne series. Clearly a Bourne by any other name does not smell the same.

What Brian Herbert has accomplished is take a science fiction classic and make it better. Amazingly, where his father's work in the original six books got stranger and stranger with each passing page, Herbert the younger has excelled his father in scope and excellence.

By telling the stories of the major houses, the Bene Gesserrit, the Landstraat, the Guild, the Butlerian Jihad, the reason mankind rejected 'thinking machines' The Mentats, the Suk Doctors, and so many other ideas mentioned in the writings of Herbert, the Elder, and doing it with the kind of flair that set the original DUNE on its path to greatness, Herbert, the Younger has exceeded his father's wildest imagination. Between the two, Dune in its entirety is a sweeping epic that spans millennia in a way no other writers have in the history of the written word.

Where father and son differ is that the more Herbert senior wrote, the more weird the stories became, while Herbert, junior clarified, quantified, amplified and exemplified the seeds of ideas his father planted, and did so without reading like a bad spice trip.

For Brian Keith's Prequels and Sequels to the Dune Saga as a whole, 5 stars. For this single parcel, Paul of Dune, I give 3 of 5 stars primarily based on two observations. First, I was two-hundred pages into the five-hundred page volume before the story took off. I give most writers only fifty pages.

Second, Herbert has previously announced that this is the last of the Dune Saga, and while that's noble enough if you tie up all the loose ends, Paul of Dune simply leaves too many unanswered questions, a thing that should never happen when you already have the answers and your job is to get the questions right.

Even so, The entire Dune saga beginning with Brian's prequels, mixing Frank's originals in with the interspacial volume's written by Brian, and finishing with the Brian Herbert sequels, now allegedly complete, is a must read for any and every serious fan of the genre.(less)

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Jul 30, 2011 Andrew rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: dune, sci-fi

The authors of Paul of Dune set themselves up to fail from the start. The book, written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert takes place (primarily) between Frank Herbert’s Dune and its sequel Dune Messiah. It follows Paul and Co as they attempt to steer mankind through the turmoil of Paul’s Jihad towards (eventually) a better future. Regrettably, this is not a hospitable place for a story to live, for a number of reasons.

I don’t recall how much time passes between Dune and Dune Messiah, but i...more The authors of Paul of Dune set themselves up to fail from the start. The book, written by Kevin J Anderson and Brian Herbert takes place (primarily) between Frank Herbert’s Dune and its sequel Dune Messiah. It follows Paul and Co as they attempt to steer mankind through the turmoil of Paul’s Jihad towards (eventually) a better future. Regrettably, this is not a hospitable place for a story to live, for a number of reasons.

I don’t recall how much time passes between Dune and Dune Messiah, but it’s not that much. It’s a very tight space to try to pack a compelling narrative. Squishing a book into this little chronological cranny puts a lot of restrictions on the plot. Everyone from Dune must survive, because they're all still alive in Frank’s sequels, which means nothing can really threaten any of the characters. Additionally, anything that takes place must be insignificant enough that nobody ever mentions it in any of the following books.

The second problem with squeezing a story in between two books of the original series has to do with the change in authors. In Paul of Dune, Brian and Kevin have the unadmirable task of trying to write beloved characters like Paul, Jessica, and Duncan, all created originally by the Elder Herbert. Unfortunately these challenges proved too much to overcome, leaving Paul of Dune mediocre at best.

Not much happens in this book. As I mentioned, the plot is necessarily constrained by the position of the book in the chronology of the series. The authors try to deal with this by creating new characters, then killing them off. This tactic didn’t make for a particularly interesting narrative. Nor did I like the way Frank’s characters were handled. Paul was never the most amiable guy, but in this book he was positively unlikable. The whole thing just felt more like fan fiction than a legitimate new chapter.

There were a few points that I liked. The enigmatic Count Fenring, who made only a brief appearance in Dune returns in a larger role here. I had always wanted to know a bit more about him, so I was glad to see him, or at least a Kevin&Brian version of him, again. Maybe there were some insights into Irulan, Korba, and others, but I didn’t really care about them in Dune, and I cared less now.

This book just has no purpose. The plot is anaemic and bland—it doesn’t justify the existence of the book. The only thing Paul of Dune could have had to offer was a more in-depth glimpse into some of Frank’s characters. Sadly, I didn’t ever feel that the authors were up to the task of successfully bringing them to life again. Without advancing an interesting plot or shedding any new light on the characters, Paul of Dune, does little but wallow it it’s mediocrity for five hundred pages.
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Mar 31, 2009 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was not written by the original author of the Dune series but rather by his son. The book is meant to tell the story of the time in between the first and second books of the Dune Chronicles. Brian Herbert's writing style was much more modern than his father's, which I suppose makes sense. This had its benefits because it was more explanatory and read more like other modern novels I have enjoyed. But it also took something away from the book. The Dune Chronicles were written as though t...more

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Jun 17, 2013 Matt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

Full disclosure: I read this book directly after reading Dune and before Dune Messiah; I was curious to see how the story would flow.

That being said, I am a little disappointed. While Brian Herbert is able to create a passable version of his father's intricate universe, the whole experience feels unpolished, like a piece of particularly good fan-fiction instead of a genuine Dune novel. Whereas Frank Herbert's story seemed to come together at a slow but satisfying pace, adding depth to characters...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Paveshen rated it 3 of 5 stars

My initial thoughts before buying this book were that it would be another lame attempt to commercially capitalise on a popular work of science fiction.
The book stands on own it's though, I read this whilst waiting for my order of Dune Messiah to arrive. Paul of Dune is the bridge between the first two books of the Dune Chronicles series. We pick off right after the final events of Dune.

I am a firm believer in the notion that in order to understand and event, you need to understand all prior eve...more

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Sep 11, 2009 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for all things Dune--even if the new books are not as excellent as those by Frank.

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Sep 20, 2012 Paige Knorr rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

I don't know how many of the Brian Herbert/Kevin Anderson books I will end up reading. I love the universe, am captivated by Dune and the mythology of Maud'dib, but... as so many others have noted, this just doesn't have the same something as the original(s).

I enjoyed the subplot of the Fenrings' daughter. That part was well done, and raised some interesting questions about human cloning and biological engineering. The rest of the book, though, fell flat for me. While superficially interesting,...more

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Oct 28, 2010 Rene Stein rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kdybych tuhle knihu četl bez znalosti původní Duny F. Herberta, byl bych znechucen autorským stylem, postavami i rozvleklým a předvídatelným dějem knihy.

Obdivuhodné je jen to, že pro milovníky původní Duny - toho nádherného a intrikami prolezlého světa stvořeného mocným demiurgem Frankem Herbertem jsou i další díly od Briana Herberta, který je spíš úslužným a mnohem méně talentovaným stínem svého velkého otce, povinným čtením. A to i když předem víte, že kniha vás nedokáže strhnout dokonalým pop...more

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May 19, 2013 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

The cover blurb says this is a direct sequel to the original Dune book by Frank Herbert and it does fulfill that billing quite well. It follow Paul/Maud'dib as he mops up his conquest of the empire in sometimes brutal fashion while increasing the lore of his godlike presence. We see how his political wife Irulan becomes his biographer and we get to know more about some of the reluctant Dukes who try to thwart his rise to godhood. The final scene is terrific and really bridges into the second Dun...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Derek McPhee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Let me, if you will be so kind as to permit me, to start by explaining a rather irrational and unfounded bias that I have...

A number of years ago Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series was left unfinished due to his, unfortunate, death. This left a sort of void at the end of the series and it required filling. Or did it? While I tend to be rather ambivalent about the idea of sequels (in terms of literature), I find that there is something fundamentally impossible about correctly making a sequel/...more Let me, if you will be so kind as to permit me, to start by explaining a rather irrational and unfounded bias that I have...

A number of years ago Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series was left unfinished due to his, unfortunate, death. This left a sort of void at the end of the series and it required filling. Or did it? While I tend to be rather ambivalent about the idea of sequels (in terms of literature), I find that there is something fundamentally impossible about correctly making a sequel/prequel/completion to the work of a writer who has moved on to the undiscovered country. That being said - I have no basis for this assertion. I cannot claim to have read any work (I've only heard second and third-hand accounts as to the failings of the Wheel of Time finale) that was written in such a manner.

With the exception of Paul of Dune.

This is where I become rather conflicted about the book. I liked it, but I found that there was something terribly amiss while reading it. The book takes place immediately after the events of Dune (immediate in relation to the way in which the rest of the series progresses) and focuses on the actions of Paul Atreides. I found that the immediacy of the book, somehow, detracted from the overall series. Given that the Dune saga is so vast in its scope this book felt like filler - something to appease the masses that loved Dune so much. However, the book is good. I found there to be very little in terms of noticeable difference in tone and feeling to the characters, despite it being written by two authors, and not by Herbert himself. The question lingered, heavily, at the back of my mind while reading it: would Frank Herbert have wanted this to be written? Why did he not continue from Dune into Paul of Dune, rather than wandering into the next book in the series. I'm aware that there were "notes" left about what happened, though this does not necessarily mean that the book should have been produced.

There is the conflict. A good book, fun to read, a seamless addition to the overarching story of the Dune universe, but a nagging question as to whether or not it really even is relevant to the series. This makes the book, despite its quality and enjoyability, feel like a money grab.

I certainly recommend a fun book - but it's only fair to suggest that, while it may not sit poorly in the series, something may feel a little *off* about it.(less)

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Nov 25, 2011 Rebecca Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yet another amazing installment in the Dune saga. Paul is such a dynamic character, one you fall in love with from the first book, and never seem to know enough about after how many novels the guy is in. It was great to have a book almost solely dedicated to him and his life, yet there are still many questions left unanswered. The additional side characters were a perfect compliment. It was nice to learn more about Princess Irulan and how she was able to adapt and evolve in Maud Dib's court. The...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Zachary rated it 1 of 5 stars

Yet another book in the long-line of substandard, cash-grab Dune novels written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. However, I'm such a Dune nerd that when I saw the hardcover in B&N for only $5, I had to grab it. While their first trilogy (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, House Corrino) and second trilogy (Butlerian Jihad, Machine Crusade, Battle of Corrin) were at least cohesize and had somewhat gripping plots that expanded the Dune universe, this novel is unfocused and mostly uninteresti...more

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About Brian Herbert

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

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The Butlerian Jihad (Legends of Dune, #1)

The Machine Crusade (Legends of Dune, #2)

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