Rating: 
Summary: A fine sequal to House Atreides
Review: I liked this book alot and cannot wait for House Corrino. Granted, the way Leto "saved" Gurney was rather weak, but that's the only complaint. Everything else about this book made it difficult to put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: It may be a bit weak on some of the writing due to the influence of Kevin Anderson, but the plot and overall appeal of the book is great. I recommend the book completely
Rating:
Summary: A real page-turner that leaves you wanting more!
Review: My sister handed me House Harkonnen and not until then did I know that Frank's son was giving new life to the series. I've got 50 pages to go and I recently purchased House Atreides which is next in the firing line. It may bother some but a book, even part of a sequence needs to stand up on its own, too. Time lines and which way they're going shouldn't matter much in these days of any which way... I was hooked from the start and I fear my relationship is suffering but I just can't put it down. Pacey, what I'd call modern writing that somethings hints at being a little rushed. I lost count of the number of typo errors. I hope House Corrino (or whatever it might be called) is re-read a couple of times before being publish. Brian and Kevin keep up the good work!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not the best.
Review: This book was a good read and kept my interest, but not nearly as much so as "Dune: House Atreides." However, I would hope they continue writing more novels to expand the world of Dune.
Rating:
Summary: Nice follow up to House Atreides, but not a 5-star effort...
Review: Like "Dune: House Atreides", "Dune: House Harkonnen" is a treat for "Dune" fans, not so much because of the writing style or richness found in the Frank Herbert Dune books, but because this book provides interesting information about the roots of many of the characters in the Dune series and the interrelationships between them. As another reviewer aptly pointed out, do not read this book first. If you want to start with a "Dune: House" book, start with House Atreides. I strongly recommend, however, that if you are interested in reading in the Dune series that you start with "Dune" by Frank Herbert, then read the two prequels in order, they provide good background, but are not the 5-star material found in "Dune." I thoroughly enjoyed the book (I have already read all of the other Dune books, including House Atreides), and think that other fans of Frank Herbert's Dune series will also enjoy it. To Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's credit, they have been faithful to Frank Herbert's layered writing style, and have worked deliberately to maintain as much richness and depth in this book and its prequel as possible. These are worthy additions to the Dune series, though they are a step down from the works by Dune's creator, Frank Herbert. Things to look forward to in this book: - you learn more about the Tleliaxu and their axlotl tanks - you learn where Feyd Rautha comes from - you learn why Jessica decided to bear Duke Leto the gender of child she did - and more... Enjoy the journey... Alan Holyoak
Rating:
Summary: Expands wonderfully and logically on the prior Dune novels
Review: Herbert's son pairs with author Anderson to write the second book in the trilogy prequel, this exploring Leto Atreides, Jessica and Duncan Idaho on their individual and collective journeys through their Dune world. This expands wonderfully and logically the prior Dune novels created by Herbert and adds new dimension and adventures. Dune fans will find this involving and engrossing.
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson did a wonderful job taking readers on a great pre-Dune adventure. No, they're not Frank, but they are masterful storytellers. Learning more about Duke Leto, Jessica, Gurney, Idaho and the rest of the Dune cast only make rereading one of my favorite series even more enjoyable. I thought they did a brilliant job of it!
Rating:
Summary: Let's be fair
Review: Let's be fair to this book--NOTHING was going to make the true Dune fans happy. As a HUGE fan of the originals, I completely understand the disappointment many people are expressing, particularly with regard to the strangely weak writing style and structure. That being said... I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book by simply taking it at face value. I'm thrilled to have learned something useful about the Harkonnens--especially Abulurd and his relationship to his sons. So what if it isn't, stylistically, all that much like the originals? Think of it as a PREHISTORY of Dune. One point that works particularly well for the authors is their explanation of how unstable and violent the universe has become. Forgive me, but this was a PROFOUND flaw in Herbert's "Dune"--we got the impression in that book that Paul inherited a fairly static universe and proceeded to release a jihad. The prequels clearly show us that Paul's ascent was part of a broader upheaval. I have no doubt that Herbert _meant_ all of this in the original, but I think that we are enriched by having these points articulated in this somewhat disappointing book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but had a horrible structure.
Review: I'll be fair. I loved the first book, House Artriedes, and expected nothing less. However, this book did not meet my expectations. The one main flaw was the structure of this book. Each chapter was about 5 pages long. There were also quite a few sub plots interweaving. For many chapters, it took about 4 pages to get the introduction, then one page of concrete storyline, and then a new chapter started describing a different sub plot. It was hard to get into the rhythm of reading this book when there was no rhythm to begin with. After about twenty pages of this, I start to lose interest. It took me forever to trudge through this book. Another thing was that since each subplot was so spread out, a good chunk of material was wasted repeating the same descriptions over and over again. Though roughly the same size as the House Atriedes, I felt that only about half the action and plot development took place. Finally, it's worth noting that this book is a novel, and not a philosophy lesson like some Dune?s latest books. If you want a good read, with action, great characters, and a moving plot, read the prequels. If you want to continue with the philosophical mutterings of Frank Herbert, don't.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, yet sipid in comparison
Review: As a Dune fan, I had to get this book. Starting with lower expectations helped, but there were just some really annoying discrepencies with the original Dune book (absolutly blatent). For an example-- the orgianl Dune says something to the effect that Leto's men went to 'select' Jessica, and also that Yeuh had known Jessica & the family for 9 years. But, in this book we suddenly find Jessica showing up with the BG on Leto's doorstep one day, and Yeuh moving in to Castle Caladan about the time Paul is born (around 15 years before the orginal book). Now, these events were not crucial to the plot, and didn't have to be included in the way they were. It makes me wonder if the authors even re-read the orginal Dune before attempting this prequel. And, a big grip with the 2 prequels is the drawn-out, uneventful seige on IX. Almost nothing has happened with this sidestory despite wading through 2 books. Very poor overall story design. It was an easy-reader, but certainly no pithy insights make you think once you put the book down. But as a fan...
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