House Atreides (Dune: House Trilogy, Book 1)

Book review by Joel
This book was my first introduction to the universe of Dune. I was graciously allowed to borrow it from a friend whom I can’t mention due to legal entanglements. Before he lent the book to me I had heard of Dune and had seen bits and pieces of the movie, but I was a Dune virgin--a Madonna of sorts, IF YOU WILL.

House Atreides works as its own book, even without previous Dune experience, which I think shows the dedication of the authors’ intent. It was co-written by Frank Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson. In the afterward, Brian and Kevin write about how they came upon Frank’s notes for Dune 7. This gave them the working data to see where Frank was going with the saga and how to weave together the basis for the prequel House Atreides.

The story itself is a page-turner. Something is always just around the corner, and the unexpected plot twists leave you wondering, “What the hell is going to happen next? Is no one safe?!?” It introduces Duke Paulus Atreides and his young family on the ocean rich planet of Caladan. House Harkonnen controls Arrakis (a.k.a. Dune) and extracts the spice--melange--from the desert. The spice makes space travel possible by giving the navigators and steersmen the ability to see clear paths in space-time for safe travel over very large distances. They are part of the Spacing Guild who control space travel. The Padishah Emperor Elrood IX, Ruler of the Known Universe, rules with trickery and deceit, himself being poisoned by his son Shaddam and court assassin Hasimir Fenring. The Bene Gesserit are always working in the background, carrying on their mysterious puppet string pulling and genetic breeding programs to the House Vernius of Ix where the great Guild Heighliners are built inside the planet! And there is more!

All weaved seamlessly together into one of the best science fiction books I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

Until I read Dune…. I am amazed at the universe created in these books. It is very easy to get lost in them and come out four hours later wondering “where am I?”

Thanks to my amigo, I am now destined to travel the worlds of Dune.

Joel.