House Corrino (Dune: House Trilogy, Book 3) Mass Market Paperback – August 27, 2002

I must admit, I'm a little surprised by the mediocre rating this book has on Amazon. While it's to be expected that it would not receive the same glowing reviews as Frank Herbert's original Dune novels, I found House Corrino (as well as the first two Prelude to Dune novels) to be a rock-solid 4-star outing.It's a fair criticism to knock Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson for not matching the literary quality of Frank Herbert's Dune and its five original sequels. Dune is, after all, considered by many to be the best science-fiction novel ever written. (If you're reading this, the odds are you've read at least Dune and need no convincing of that.) While the Herbert/Anderson novels sacrifice some of the depth of the originals, though, they do make up for it in a faster pacing and remarkable plotting. Even if there are a few inconsistencies between these prequels and the originals, it's nothing compared with the problems you see in the Star Wars prequels, and those were made by the original creator - so that should give a hint as to just how much of a challenge it is to work with a fictional universe like this.Step back from the criticisms of the obsessives and those who simply can't bear other authors treading on the sacred ground Frank Herbert created, and you get my perspective: A science-fiction fan, a fan of the Dune series and of well-plotted novels in general. For me, these novels triumph - big time. The curse of the prequel is that in the end you wind up right back where you started (in this case, not long before the original Dune begins). The Prelude to Dune novels manage to make it all interesting and compelling. There is plenty of room for surprises in these books, and quite a bit of suspense. One example is Paul's birth. Of course he will survive, and so will Jessica - yet the birth sequence is so tense I felt like I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.The Herbert/Anderson novels expertly set up the plot-points like a set of dominoes, positioning the many characters just-so, piece by piece, and when the dominoes start to fall, I find it tremendously satisfying. So, no, it's not a Frank Herbert book, but it's a great conclusion to a remarkable trilogy.I was shocked to read an on-line review of this book by someone who hadn't read the first two House books, so I'll conclude with this: If you've read the original Dune novels and enjoyed House Atreides, I think you'll enjoy following up with House Harkonnen and House Corrino. If you didn't like House Atreides, you will probably want to steer clear of the other Herbert/Anderson novels. Above all, you definitely should not read House Corrino until you've read House Atreides and House Harkonnen.

If you read my other reviews of the "Dune" series, you'll see I've had to dodge fan lightning bolts a couple of times ;->. "Dune" was excellent, but the original series got darker and darker as it went on. It got into what I call "creepy sci fi" and lost its way (IMHO).Years ago, I discovered the two prequels to the series, purchased/read them, and loved them. Recently, I discovered there was a third volume of prequels -- "Dune: House Corrino" -- and figured, "What the heck?" So, I used my Discover reward points to get the book for free (thanks, Amazon, for allowing that), and read away.After reading "Dune" in June/July this year (2013), I decided to go through all three prequels. Now (September, 2013) I'm starting over again, but will skip lightly through "Dune." I haven't read any of these for 20 years, and I'm going through the entire loop of the four books again.Unlike many who are Frank-Herbert-forever-and-no one-else fans, I find it amazing how Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson "caught" the flavor of "Dune" and kept it going. Dodging yet another lightning bolt: in my opinion, the prequels are better than the original "Dune." (Ouch! :->).What a treat to REALLY get to know Duke Leto Atreides, who left the series early in "Dune." He truly comes into his own in "Corrino," and that's why I liked it so much. Also ... and it may be my imagination ... it seems to me the prequels kept getting better.Well, there's one person's opinion. If you're into "creepy sci fi," you probably won't like the prequels (and especially "Corrino.")If you're looking for good writing, solid characters, and an almost point-by-point-here's-how-it-all-started series, the prequels are for you.

This is an excellent book from an really good trilogy of novels set before the events of Dune.I will say this once and I do know this will set howls of derision from Frank Herbert fans when I say I prefer this to the original six books.Perhaps I am a lazy reader I like my fiction sometimes to be entertaining and not to tax my brain.This is great Science fiction set in a brilliant, well crated and thought out Universe created by Frank Herbert.Frank Herbert if you like created his Universe from scratch rather like the designers of those Stately Home Gardens in England of the great family.(and yes I see the irony of that analogy with the books being focused on the great Houses of the Imperium)Brian and Anderson are like the gardeners who tend the gardens.BUT my goodness they are creative and brilliant at what they have done.They have used the layout to create more intricate and pleasing detail.The book is written in short chapters with a really great, interesting and wide cast that inhabit the Universe.Plots within plots.We jump from Planet to planet, House to House and the whole series is really enjoyable.I do think Dune was great.BUT a confession.I bought it when I was 14 and found it unreadable. I needed to mature as a reader to get the maximum from it.Later aged 22 I picked it up and really appreciated the skill and complexity of the book.Along with The Lord of the Rings, The Titus Groan Trilogy and The King of Elfland’s Daughter.With stops along the way for Michael Moorcock and Arthur C Clarke.BUT just like I preferred the Hobbit to Lord of the Rings so I prefer this wonderful book and its two partners to the Dune and Dune’s Children.You don’t need to read the others before this BUT I really recommend that you do start with the first House Atriedes then House Harkonnen. House Atreides (Prelude to Dune) Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen You will only go straight to these after reading this so why deny yourself that pleasure of re entering the World of Dune?Thanks for reading.A Brilliant Series Better Than The Original. House Atreides (Prelude to Dune)Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen

This is an excellent book from an really good trilogy of novels set before the events of Dune.I will say this once and I do know this will set howls of derision from Frank Herbert fans when I say I prefer this to the original six books.Perhaps I am a lazy reader I like my fiction sometimes to be entertaining and not to tax my brain.This is great Science fiction set in a brilliant, well crated and thought out Universe created by Frank Herbert.Frank Herbert if you like created his Universe from scratch rather like the designers of those Stately Home Gardens in England of the great family.(and yes I see the irony of that analogy with the books being focused on the great Houses of the Imperium)Brian and Anderson are like the gardeners who tend the gardens.BUT my goodness they are creative and brilliant at what they have done.They have used the layout to create more intricate and pleasing detail.The book is written in short chapters with a really great, interesting and wide cast that inhabit the Universe.Plots within plots.We jump from Planet to planet, House to House and the whole series is really enjoyable.I do think Dune was great.BUT a confession.I bought it when I was 14 and found it unreadable. I needed to mature as a reader to get the maximum from it.Later aged 22 I picked it up and really appreciated the skill and complexity of the book.Along with The Lord of the Rings, The Titus Groan Trilogy and The King of Elfland’s Daughter.With stops along the way for Michael Moorcock and Arthur C Clarke.BUT just like I preferred the Hobbit to Lord of the Rings so I prefer this wonderful book and its two partners to the Dune and Dune’s Children.You don’t need to read the others before this BUT I really recommend that you do start with the first House Atriedes then House Harkonnen. House Atreides (Prelude to Dune) Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen You will only go straight to these after reading this so why deny yourself that pleasure of re entering the World of Dune?Thanks for reading.A Brilliant Series Better Than The Original. House Atreides (Prelude to Dune)Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen

I enjoyed the final part of the Dune prequel trilogy - the narrative was reasonably well paced and the focus on the Corrino dynasty set up many of the details that chime with both the original Dune trilogy as well as the second Dune trilogy and subsequent novels in the series also written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. But some elements seemed a little odd - in particular the relationship between Caladan and Ix which isn't echoed in original trilogy despite the implied importance of Ixian machinery. Nevertheless, I found it a really good read if you are interested in the broader Dune universe being ably extended by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson.

This needs making into a film so Mystery Science Theatre 3000 can give it the treatment it deserves. It's not just bad, it's hilariously awful. For example his mentat convinces the Baron Harkonen that way to become more popular is to hire an etiquette coach and, well, "Hijinks ensue" as they same in bad movies. It's one extra star for being so bad that's endearing - I did get several hours of flabbergasted amusement out of it.Robot roll call! Cambot! Gypsy! Tom Servo! Croowwwww!

If you are a fan of the Dune series I would be surprised if you didn't get hooked by this new wave of books. They are written in a similar style to the originals and bring a whole new dimension to the Atreides/Harkonnen stories. Compelling characters and connected contexts - buy them all and get immersed!