Free Dune: House Atreides: House Trilogy, Book 1 Ebooks To Download
Performance by Tim CurrySix Cassettes, 9 hoursFrank Herbert's award-winning Dune chronicles captured the imaginations of millions of readers worldwide. By his death in 1986, Frank Herbert had completed six novels in the Dune series. But much of his vision remained unwritten. Now, working from recently discovered files left by his father, Brian Herbert and bestselling novelist Kevin J. Anderson collaborate on a new novel, the prelude to Dune-where we step onto planet Arrakis...decades before Dune's hero Paul Maud'Dib Atreides, walks it's sands.Here is the rich and complex world that Frank Herbert created in his classic series, in the time leading up to the momentous events of Dune. As Emperor Elrood's son Shaddam plots a subtle regicide, young Leto Atreides leaves his lush, water-rich planet for a year's education on the mechanized world of Ix; a planetologist named Pardot Kynes is dispatched by the Emperor to the desert planet Arrakis, or Dune, to discover the secrets of the addictive spice known as melange; and the eight-year-old slave Duncan Idaho is hunted by his cruel masters in a terrifying game from which he vows escape and vengeance. But none can envision the fate in store for them: one that will make them renegades-and shapers of history. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 26 hours and 23 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 18, 2009
Whispersync for Voice: Ready
Language: English
ASIN: B002PXRRNI
Best Sellers Rank: #133 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Science Fiction > Adventure #672 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Science Fiction #1959 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Fiction & Literature
Writing a prequel to one of the greatest science fiction books ever written is no easy task. Herbert and Anderson are to be commended for even trying to craft this work, based at least partially on the notes left by Brian's illustrious father. Their success, however, is partial and this book is probably only of interest to Dune fanatics.The book concerns events that happened a generation before Dune. That's about as much as I can say about the plot because its principal fault is the lack of a narrative focus. We are treated to Pardot Kynes starting his lifelong study of Dune, to Shaddam IV scheming to get control of the Empire, to a villanous plot to take over the planet of Ix and to the rise of Leto Atreides. We even get information on the conception of Lady Jessica.Any one of these stories might have worked but the attempt to put all of them together makes the book slow (at 600+ pages, it is longer than most of the Dune books). A few threads should have been dropped.Additionally, the suspense of the book is watered down when you've read Dune. You know what the outcome of Leto's trial by forfeiture will be; you know how the Baron's breeding will work out. The really interesting stuff concerns Ix and House Vernius and I could have used a lot more of that and a lot less of Lady Jessica's conception.The book's appeal is not helped by the authors' style which is slow and repitive. They will tell you about the balance of power in the Empire at least a dozen times. This can be contrasted with Herbert the Elder's style, which was crisp and quick -- so much so that you really have to pay attention to know what was going on. This book is a lot more dumbed down.Hmmm. It sounds like I'm panning the book. I'm not. It's not *bad*, it's just not *great*.
Ok, sorry, but I had to change my review. Initially, I was about halfway into this book, and enjoying it well enough to give it a three star review. Now, I feel the need to change it, because I'm getting closer to finishing it and I know what really bothers me and why this book has so many 1-star reviews and arouses a general hatred in any seasoned Dune fans. Let me list the problems:1) The characters are 1-dimensional. Boring, flat, lacking personality. Herbert wrote from a 3rd person omniscient point of view, and this book is far from omniscient. You never get inside the characters' heads, you just read one dreary event after another.2) This book was written by two people. Every time I found myself enjoying it for a few pages, the writing style would change sharply and you could tell that the other author had taken over. I'm not quite sure who ruins this book, but I have a feeling it is Kevin J. Anderson, with some of the worst writing making me feel as though this is a Star Trek Novel.3) The dialogue is AWFUL. As one other reviewer stated, there are phrases and conversations in this book that would make Frank Herbert cringe, but to be more appropriate, he would roll over in his grave now.4) The lack of political/religious intrigue. There is no "magic" to this book, nothing that makes you put it down and let your imagination run wild. No messiah, no Muad'Dib (thank god they didn't even attempt to incorporate Paul Atreides since he wouldn't have even been born yet.), and hence no mystery, none of those moments you felt in awe of the original Dune world when Frank Herbert wrote it.5) The plot-spoilers of the original Dune series.
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