I’m glad you liked the book. I really enjoy the BH/KJA contributions. While I understand why some people don’t like them, I do think the hatred they receive is unfair. It’s refreshing to see a review that appreciates the books for what they are.
Your explanation of the KA/BH Dune books as "tie in fiction" was spot on. I really liked the Legends series and am going to soon approach the schools trilogy. Also love your genuine enthusiasm for books that you enjoy.
I’m really shocked with the response I’ve gotten for this video and my KJA books in general. I see so much hate in the reviewer spaces and in other online discourse, so it’s really refreshing to have so many fans of the expanded series comment on the channel.
@@jonathankoan I love tie in fiction (I am an TOS star trek guy) as well as many other genres. Knowing you love KJA if you can find his X files tie in novels they are really good (obviously liking the X files helps to enjoy the books better) Keep up the great work on your channel
I read Dune back in high school. I liked it, but did not care for Herbert's writing style, so I never bothered to read any of the sequels, plus everyone who read the sequels told me they didn't like them. As for that cover design on the trade paperbacks, I don't understand why a publisher would print such a bland cover, and no artwork. I much prefer the mass market versions in every way, shape and form.
Hey man, going to be complete honest here I initially came to this video to sort of hate watch since I tried reading The Butlerian Jihad a couple of years ago and found it pretty bad, I expected a traditional video making fun of this book and was pretty mad considering Messiah is my favorite book lol. HOWEVER, you actually made me change my mind. Your excitement and the way you approach the books and reviewed them made me really curious. You gave me a different perspective and sold me on giving this series a try. Thank you, keep on with the good content!
This is such a helpful review because I’ve stayed away from BH/JKA books. I loved DUNE and the original series. I’ve read them listened them multiple times.
Hey Jonathan! Does this book spoil anything from the original Dune novel? I’ve been more interested in reading the prequel books before getting to the main book, but I am also however hesitant if it spoils any major events.
I don’t think it does, but I was very familiar with the main movie events anyway, so I don’t know. I’d say read the OG Dune first (as I think it’s great) and then read the prequel books.
Hey man, would you say that these are worh reading after Dune & Messiah? I've read some wiki pages about the next "original" Dune novels and... yeah, anything *not* related to the OG Dune Houses or Paul seems not to be my kind of thing.. It seems to be getting a LOT more philosophical and as a college student, I get enough of that in class. It may be blasphemous but I just wat to "enjoy" being in this world and be a little more relaxed while reading them. Does these books work in that way? I'm also interested in "Paul of Dune" and "Winds of Dune", i'm not sure if you have read those as well. Thanks!
The Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert books aren’t that philosophical, they’re more focused on plot and story and characters, so those are more worth reading. The rest of the Frank Herbert books get much more philosophical, so you might want to avoid those.
Great review Jonathan! I read this book a long time back, all I remember is that I did enjoy it. Will have to reread it at some point to refresh my memory. I have the hardcover. Honestly, I like both covers. I love the artistry of the original and I love the clean, symmetrical look of the new ones.
I haven't read it yet but I caught the beginning of the comic adaptations. I loved it and stopped to make sure I read Brian Herberts book first. As soon as I'm done with Children I'm going to read House Harkonenn and House Atreides.
Very interesting review. I’ve learned about the ‚filling in‘ genre in its own right (I am into all kinds of intertextuality). - Having read and reread all DUNE books first in German, then the originals since the 1980s I do not understand why people don‘t like the prequels. Herbert & Anderson based their very (!) respectful (!!) approach on original material by Frank Herbert after all. The films made me approach DUNE again. And the prequels. (I prefer the Lynch films technical progress notwithstanding, the women are so much more beautiful.) As a feminist I enjoyed Mohiam‘s revenge for her rape and think it was just right kicking the ghastly DeVries for good.
I'm just a little over halfway through with the book and I'm enjoying it so much. The original is my favorite book of all time, and I loved Messiah, Children and God Emperor. This book is obviously easier to follow and has a less complicated writing style, but that does not mean it's bad. I absolutely love it! People also seem to forget that this isn't just "fanfiction". BH and KJA have said time and time again they found safe deposit boxes full of notes left behind after Frank passed, and the big decisions made in these prequels were still Frank's ideas. Great review!
Just finished the book this morning. I’ve read all 6 of the original Dune FH books not knowing he passed before finishing the series, so I HAD to read the two BH/KJA books concluding the story. I bought House Atredies awhile ago not realizing it was also a trilogy! So I just finished it and had to order the other two books and will have to wait a week before they arrive and I can dive in! I like all of the books, FH original 6 totally threw me off once you end up so far in the future and so many new characters, but I never lost interest. And then reading the concluding books felt cathartic to finally have an ending. I had been looking forward to reading House Atredies and I honestly loved it. I agree with you that all the plots were interesting and I loved Duncan’s origin story and Fenring was deliciously evil. I loved the Baron being introduced to us as a handsome, strong/thin man and I can’t wait to read more about him dissolving into the floating sickly man we know in the original book.
Thank you Jonathan for this review. I bought this book after seeing your review and I am almost through the whole book and I love it already. The title of the book is very misleading as I assumed to be a very dry encyclopedia like "Fire & Blood" by GRRM which I couldn't get through. Please continue your great reviews. I will read House Harkonnen next.
I enjoyed the Dune books that I've read by Brian & Kevin for the same reasons - the context they give for the main Dune series. I found re-reading Dune really hard last year so much so I gave up, I wasn't in the headspace for (excuse the pun) how dry it is. But I'm looking forward to revisiting the prequel books at some point
Yes, your comparison to the Star Wars novels is perfect. I think these add to the story, and if people don’t like them, they’re not essential. Great review.
Todd here. Nice video Jonathan. I recently bought the trilogy used in mass market paperback. I hope I enjoy them. Sadly I read the first Dune novel and did not like it. I hope I will like the three house novels better.
I do remember reading this book back in high school so it’s been some 20 years I think. I liked it I don’t think I loved it. I do like the writing style between the 2 authors. One thing that irks me about this series is the lack of actual chapter breaks (I know there are breaks that are like chapters but I would like a proper table of contents with chapters). I do like that this gives us some content it gives some of the characters from the original dune novel. As far as trade paperback I prefer it because I always tear up mass market books and it drives me nuts. I think I’ve gone through 3 or 4 Eye of the World mass market paperback books before I got the trade paperback version (it’s also why I read a lot of e books 😂)
I didn't want to read beyond the original 3 for the same reasons, not much positive stuff said, I thought I'd end with a bad Krull book version However just to learn more about the Bene Gesserit and the houses is enough to try the rest.
I am planning on reading these prequels soon. I have read all of Frank's Dune books. Sorry you didn't care for books 2 and 3, I personally love Children of Dune. God Emperor is.... interesting and weird, but not great. But..... in my opinion, do not read Heretics or Chapterhouse... That is, unless you just need to read them in order to make it to Anderson's sequels, which is what I did.
yeah seeing you went "meh" for Dune Messiah and Children of Dune its no wonder you liked House Atreides. or for that matter you're just like the first readers of Dune Messiah, a book made only to correct people's hyperfocus on missinterpreting the themes of Dune and only looking at the "cool stuff" on the surface, which purpose was indeed slapping those many who understood Dune at the most utter surface level of meaning behind it...
I do think there are some deeper themes in the House trilogy and in the Schools trilogy that I read, but they are much more readable than Messiah and Children of Dune. I do intend to read God Emperor of Dune soon, and I’ve heard that one is certainly controversial.
@jonathankoan what can it be more clear than to not trust messiah figures? That there's consequences to following a charismatic leader so blindly? The faults of blind loyalty and the varieties of such expression? Its not about depth really, but expression of these themes, the Frank Herbert dune books are covered in these themes, that's the point, not just another sci fi tale with cool sci fi thingies put in, God Emperor is more critique to those who refuse to see the themes and think for themselves, and to fail to see them is the mind's form of internal perish, until questioning your surroundings with a purpose of good is re awoken. But that's taking the themes and applying them in real critical thinking, the point isnt that but its clear what it was nevertheless.
I’m glad you liked the book. I really enjoy the BH/KJA contributions. While I understand why some people don’t like them, I do think the hatred they receive is unfair. It’s refreshing to see a review that appreciates the books for what they are.
I’m glad you liked the book. I really enjoy the BH/KJA contributions. While I understand why some people don’t like them, I do think the hatred they receive is unfair. It’s refreshing to see a review that appreciates the books for what they are.
Your explanation of the KA/BH Dune books as "tie in fiction" was spot on. I really liked the Legends series and am going to soon approach the schools trilogy. Also love your genuine enthusiasm for books that you enjoy.
I’m really shocked with the response I’ve gotten for this video and my KJA books in general. I see so much hate in the reviewer spaces and in other online discourse, so it’s really refreshing to have so many fans of the expanded series comment on the channel.
@@jonathankoan I love tie in fiction (I am an TOS star trek guy) as well as many other genres. Knowing you love KJA if you can find his X files tie in novels they are really good (obviously liking the X files helps to enjoy the books better) Keep up the great work on your channel
I read Dune back in high school. I liked it, but did not care for Herbert's writing style, so I never bothered to read any of the sequels, plus everyone who read the sequels told me they didn't like them.
As for that cover design on the trade paperbacks, I don't understand why a publisher would print such a bland cover, and no artwork. I much prefer the mass market versions in every way, shape and form.
Hey man, going to be complete honest here I initially came to this video to sort of hate watch since I tried reading The Butlerian Jihad a couple of years ago and found it pretty bad, I expected a traditional video making fun of this book and was pretty mad considering Messiah is my favorite book lol. HOWEVER, you actually made me change my mind. Your excitement and the way you approach the books and reviewed them made me really curious. You gave me a different perspective and sold me on giving this series a try. Thank you, keep on with the good content!
Aw, that just made my day.
This is such a helpful review because I’ve stayed away from BH/JKA books. I loved DUNE and the original series. I’ve read them listened them multiple times.
Hey Jonathan! Does this book spoil anything from the original Dune novel? I’ve been more interested in reading the prequel books before getting to the main book, but I am also however hesitant if it spoils any major events.
I don’t think it does, but I was very familiar with the main movie events anyway, so I don’t know. I’d say read the OG Dune first (as I think it’s great) and then read the prequel books.
Hey man, would you say that these are worh reading after Dune & Messiah? I've read some wiki pages about the next "original" Dune novels and... yeah, anything *not* related to the OG Dune Houses or Paul seems not to be my kind of thing.. It seems to be getting a LOT more philosophical and as a college student, I get enough of that in class. It may be blasphemous but I just wat to "enjoy" being in this world and be a little more relaxed while reading them. Does these books work in that way? I'm also interested in "Paul of Dune" and "Winds of Dune", i'm not sure if you have read those as well. Thanks!
The Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert books aren’t that philosophical, they’re more focused on plot and story and characters, so those are more worth reading.
The rest of the Frank Herbert books get much more philosophical, so you might want to avoid those.
Great review Jonathan! I read this book a long time back, all I remember is that I did enjoy it. Will have to reread it at some point to refresh my memory. I have the hardcover. Honestly, I like both covers. I love the artistry of the original and I love the clean, symmetrical look of the new ones.
I haven't read it yet but I caught the beginning of the comic adaptations. I loved it and stopped to make sure I read Brian Herberts book first. As soon as I'm done with Children I'm going to read House Harkonenn and House Atreides.
Glad to hear that Kevin J Anderson is such a good writer.
Very interesting review. I’ve learned about the ‚filling in‘ genre in its own right (I am into all kinds of intertextuality). - Having read and reread all DUNE books first in German, then the originals since the 1980s I do not understand why people don‘t like the prequels. Herbert & Anderson based their very (!) respectful (!!) approach on original material by Frank Herbert after all. The films made me approach DUNE again. And the prequels. (I prefer the Lynch films technical progress notwithstanding, the women are so much more beautiful.) As a feminist I enjoyed Mohiam‘s revenge for her rape and think it was just right kicking the ghastly DeVries for good.
I'm just a little over halfway through with the book and I'm enjoying it so much. The original is my favorite book of all time, and I loved Messiah, Children and God Emperor. This book is obviously easier to follow and has a less complicated writing style, but that does not mean it's bad. I absolutely love it! People also seem to forget that this isn't just "fanfiction". BH and KJA have said time and time again they found safe deposit boxes full of notes left behind after Frank passed, and the big decisions made in these prequels were still Frank's ideas. Great review!
Great video! Congrats!
It has been a VERY long time since I read this one, but i definitely remember enjoying it.
Just finished the book this morning. I’ve read all 6 of the original Dune FH books not knowing he passed before finishing the series, so I HAD to read the two BH/KJA books concluding the story. I bought House Atredies awhile ago not realizing it was also a trilogy! So I just finished it and had to order the other two books and will have to wait a week before they arrive and I can dive in!
I like all of the books, FH original 6 totally threw me off once you end up so far in the future and so many new characters, but I never lost interest. And then reading the concluding books felt cathartic to finally have an ending. I had been looking forward to reading House Atredies and I honestly loved it. I agree with you that all the plots were interesting and I loved Duncan’s origin story and Fenring was deliciously evil. I loved the Baron being introduced to us as a handsome, strong/thin man and I can’t wait to read more about him dissolving into the floating sickly man we know in the original book.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the trilogy. I think it’s really solid.
Thank you Jonathan for this review. I bought this book after seeing your review and I am almost through the whole book and I love it already. The title of the book is very misleading as I assumed to be a very dry encyclopedia like "Fire & Blood" by GRRM which I couldn't get through. Please continue your great reviews. I will read House Harkonnen next.
I enjoyed the Dune books that I've read by Brian & Kevin for the same reasons - the context they give for the main Dune series.
I found re-reading Dune really hard last year so much so I gave up, I wasn't in the headspace for (excuse the pun) how dry it is. But I'm looking forward to revisiting the prequel books at some point
Yes, your comparison to the Star Wars novels is perfect. I think these add to the story, and if people don’t like them, they’re not essential. Great review.
Thank you for watching!
Todd here. Nice video Jonathan. I recently bought the trilogy used in mass market paperback. I hope I enjoy them. Sadly I read the first Dune novel and did not like it. I hope I will like the three house novels better.
They are very different. Much more of a political story like Game of Thrones than a cerebral Sci-Fi book. I hope you enjoy them!
the best book in the entire series is god emperor
I do remember reading this book back in high school so it’s been some 20 years I think. I liked it I don’t think I loved it. I do like the writing style between the 2 authors. One thing that irks me about this series is the lack of actual chapter breaks (I know there are breaks that are like chapters but I would like a proper table of contents with chapters). I do like that this gives us some content it gives some of the characters from the original dune novel.
As far as trade paperback I prefer it because I always tear up mass market books and it drives me nuts. I think I’ve gone through 3 or 4 Eye of the World mass market paperback books before I got the trade paperback version (it’s also why I read a lot of e books 😂)
its crazy me and you have the exact same thoughts of reading dune then dune messiah and house of atreides
i read the dune books in high school back in the 80's and i agree that kevin and brian's books was as good as the original
I didn't want to read beyond the original 3 for the same reasons, not much positive stuff said, I thought I'd end with a bad Krull book version However just to learn more about the Bene Gesserit and the houses is enough to try the rest.
You have to read God Emperor! It’s wonderful…
I am planning on reading these prequels soon. I have read all of Frank's Dune books. Sorry you didn't care for books 2 and 3, I personally love Children of Dune. God Emperor is.... interesting and weird, but not great. But..... in my opinion, do not read Heretics or Chapterhouse... That is, unless you just need to read them in order to make it to Anderson's sequels, which is what I did.
I've only read the Butlerian Jihad Trilogy the legends of dune series but I really enjoyed those.
And of course the OG Dune Novel
A fantastic trilogy
What is the 7th book¿continuation of chapterhouse dune
Hunters of Dune is #7 and Sandworms of Dune is #8.
yeah seeing you went "meh" for Dune Messiah and Children of Dune its no wonder you liked House Atreides. or for that matter you're just like the first readers of Dune Messiah, a book made only to correct people's hyperfocus on missinterpreting the themes of Dune and only looking at the "cool stuff" on the surface, which purpose was indeed slapping those many who understood Dune at the most utter surface level of meaning behind it...
I do think there are some deeper themes in the House trilogy and in the Schools trilogy that I read, but they are much more readable than Messiah and Children of Dune.
I do intend to read God Emperor of Dune soon, and I’ve heard that one is certainly controversial.
@jonathankoan what can it be more clear than to not trust messiah figures? That there's consequences to following a charismatic leader so blindly? The faults of blind loyalty and the varieties of such expression? Its not about depth really, but expression of these themes, the Frank Herbert dune books are covered in these themes, that's the point, not just another sci fi tale with cool sci fi thingies put in, God Emperor is more critique to those who refuse to see the themes and think for themselves, and to fail to see them is the mind's form of internal perish, until questioning your surroundings with a purpose of good is re awoken. But that's taking the themes and applying them in real critical thinking, the point isnt that but its clear what it was nevertheless.
0:38
Man thought Dune was too long
Book was too short, lolol
Lol I see that jon forgot to remove his tag in this video on his shirt 😅 it's cool it happens
Crap! You’re right! Well, I at least have fodder for a blooper real…
I’m glad you liked the book. I really enjoy the BH/KJA contributions. While I understand why some people don’t like them, I do think the hatred they receive is unfair. It’s refreshing to see a review that appreciates the books for what they are.