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A review by laileanah
Dune: House Harkonnen by Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
2023 Reread:
This is a solid book. Not great. I dislike that the secret of the Tanks is revealed, but otherwise, this doesn't too far stray from the original Dune cannon.
I find many story elements to be underwhelmingly written. I HATE the narrative regarding the conception of Lady Jessica. I was hoping for a more complex scheme from The Sisterhood.
I was equally disappointed with the way Leto & Jessica's 'love' story is treated. Why Jessica betrayed The Sisterhood is a major plot point of the original novels, and this is just like the Great Value version of what I was expecting.
I don't buy their love story. It doesn't make sense that Jessica would defy her training in that short an amount of time for really nothing. They don't seem very attached. Leto isn't charming and the scheme to get her into the house is a stretch and silly. If The Bene Gesserit were this clumsy I don't think they'd have the power they have.
This is a solid book. Not great. I dislike that the secret of the Tanks is revealed, but otherwise, this doesn't too far stray from the original Dune cannon.
I find many story elements to be underwhelmingly written. I HATE the narrative regarding the conception of Lady Jessica. I was hoping for a more complex scheme from The Sisterhood.
I was equally disappointed with the way Leto & Jessica's 'love' story is treated. Why Jessica betrayed The Sisterhood is a major plot point of the original novels, and this is just like the Great Value version of what I was expecting.
I don't buy their love story. It doesn't make sense that Jessica would defy her training in that short an amount of time for really nothing. They don't seem very attached. Leto isn't charming and the scheme to get her into the house is a stretch and silly. If The Bene Gesserit were this clumsy I don't think they'd have the power they have.
In all fairness Jessica having a boy when she was supposed to have a girl AND the Sisterhood not bothering to call her in. Much less bother to check out her kid for the first 15 yrs of his life are a weak plot point in the original Dune novels to begin with. Still, this prequel enhances this plot failure rather than corrects it.
Count Fenrig is disappointingly written, he's a complex character but he's the equivalent of the twisted Mentat, Piter who is also simplified in these prequel novels.
It's definitely the Great Value version of 80's style mustachioed villains evilly twisting their mustache while scheming.
It's definitely the Great Value version of 80's style mustachioed villains evilly twisting their mustache while scheming.
It's a meal but the original Dune novels are an expensive satisfying meal at an expensive trendy restaurant and these novels are White Castle burgers, running you directly to the toilet in gastric distress.
🤷🏾♀️
🤷🏾♀️
Original Review:
My favorite book in this trilogy.
My favorite book in this trilogy.