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The Caladan Trilogy #2
Dune: The Lady of Caladan
Lady Jessica, mother of Paul, and consort to Leto Atredies. The choices she made shaped an empire, but first the Lady of Caladan must reckon with her own betrayal of the Bene Gesserit. She has already betrayed her ancient order, but now she must decide if her loyalty to the Sisterhood is more important than the love of her own family.Meanwhile, events in the greater empire are accelerating beyond the control of even the Reverend Mother, and Lady Jessica's family is on a collision course with destiny.
Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
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About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,038 books3,104 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
May 27, 2022
Macbeth and his Lady stand atop a castle wall, looking out on the vast Scottish moors, discussing the 2021 novel Dune: The Lady of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
Lady: “Plans within plans within plans” is a Bene Gesserit saying. It succinctly describes the intricate machinations of the sisterhood, going back thousands of years, and the way Brian and Kevin use the term is representative of their dedication to continue Frank’s great vision.
Macbeth: Aye, but it is unlike my own statement of “tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” when I felt weary and alone, believing that each new day brought only an inevitable path towards my doom.
Lady: The Bene Gesserit leave nothing to chance, everything has a purpose or may be used toward a greater purpose. This novel, highlighting Lady Jessica’s difficulties with her order and with her family on Caladan reveals the intricate designs that Frank used to such great effect and this novel provides more backstory for the events in Dune.
Macbeth: As with the earlier Duke of Caladan novel, this has a darker theme, even for the already bloody and brooding Dune universe. I did like that we got to spend more time with Feyd and Rabban. But the most intriguing character was Count Hasimir Fenring. He was a pleasure to read about in Frank’s original books and I like the way he’s depicted here.
Lady: He is a delicious schemer, husband, one who would serve well in our court.
Macbeth: And the time the authors invest in the Bene Gesserit school on Wallach 9 was a pleasure. Those witches know how to plot and scheme.
Lady: I was of course enamored with the sisterhood, Oh what fun I would have had as a reverend mother with all of the wealth of knowledge at my fingertips. [looks at her hands] and I need to wash my hands again.
Macbeth: The ongoing rebellion against the Corrino throne is also worthy of note and I rather liked this insurrection, with backing from on high.
Lady: Yes and the backstory of the Choam directors was also enjoyable.
Macbeth: A stab from the shadows, assassinations, and danger from unexpected places and person, all very endearing.
Lady: Good science fiction / fantasy. I’ll read the third book when it comes out too and then reread the entire series again.
Macbeth: Tomorrow.
Lady: “Plans within plans within plans” is a Bene Gesserit saying. It succinctly describes the intricate machinations of the sisterhood, going back thousands of years, and the way Brian and Kevin use the term is representative of their dedication to continue Frank’s great vision.
Macbeth: Aye, but it is unlike my own statement of “tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” when I felt weary and alone, believing that each new day brought only an inevitable path towards my doom.
Lady: The Bene Gesserit leave nothing to chance, everything has a purpose or may be used toward a greater purpose. This novel, highlighting Lady Jessica’s difficulties with her order and with her family on Caladan reveals the intricate designs that Frank used to such great effect and this novel provides more backstory for the events in Dune.
Macbeth: As with the earlier Duke of Caladan novel, this has a darker theme, even for the already bloody and brooding Dune universe. I did like that we got to spend more time with Feyd and Rabban. But the most intriguing character was Count Hasimir Fenring. He was a pleasure to read about in Frank’s original books and I like the way he’s depicted here.
Lady: He is a delicious schemer, husband, one who would serve well in our court.
Macbeth: And the time the authors invest in the Bene Gesserit school on Wallach 9 was a pleasure. Those witches know how to plot and scheme.
Lady: I was of course enamored with the sisterhood, Oh what fun I would have had as a reverend mother with all of the wealth of knowledge at my fingertips. [looks at her hands] and I need to wash my hands again.
Macbeth: The ongoing rebellion against the Corrino throne is also worthy of note and I rather liked this insurrection, with backing from on high.
Lady: Yes and the backstory of the Choam directors was also enjoyable.
Macbeth: A stab from the shadows, assassinations, and danger from unexpected places and person, all very endearing.
Lady: Good science fiction / fantasy. I’ll read the third book when it comes out too and then reread the entire series again.
Macbeth: Tomorrow.
November 15, 2021
This book is a hundred pages more than any other hardcover currently in the database, so I actually felt like adding this version.
Having recently seen the Villeneuve Dune part 1 in cinema I felt really pulled back into the Duniverse even if this is not exactly Franks tale but more the extended tales by his son and co-conspirator Kevin J. Anderson. These extended takes on the universe created by Frank Herbert enhance his writing for me and let me enjoy some new adventures.
By the way the movie is absolutely brilliant and you should watch it as soon as possible.
Anyhow back to the middle book in this new Caladan trilogy about the trails of house Astreides and we meet all player who will one year later play their parts in Frank Herberts' Dune.
Lady Jessica has been recalled to the home planet of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood which drives a wedge between Duke Leto and his lady. Jessica is confronted by the keeper of the Kwisatz Haderach files who has mentally broken down into a dementia state of mind. And see sees in Jessica and Paul a danger for the future of the sisterhood. This creates once more a schism in the sisterhood.
This original story should explain how house Atreides got hold of Arrakis aka Dune which will probably explain how duke Leto got caught between duty/honour and a hard place.
Since the beginning of Brian and Kevins' entrance in the Duniverse they have created better books and the two in this trilogy are quite decent and deliver another dos of Dune. I am really looking forward to the next instalment.
Having recently seen the Villeneuve Dune part 1 in cinema I felt really pulled back into the Duniverse even if this is not exactly Franks tale but more the extended tales by his son and co-conspirator Kevin J. Anderson. These extended takes on the universe created by Frank Herbert enhance his writing for me and let me enjoy some new adventures.
By the way the movie is absolutely brilliant and you should watch it as soon as possible.
Anyhow back to the middle book in this new Caladan trilogy about the trails of house Astreides and we meet all player who will one year later play their parts in Frank Herberts' Dune.
Lady Jessica has been recalled to the home planet of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood which drives a wedge between Duke Leto and his lady. Jessica is confronted by the keeper of the Kwisatz Haderach files who has mentally broken down into a dementia state of mind. And see sees in Jessica and Paul a danger for the future of the sisterhood. This creates once more a schism in the sisterhood.
This original story should explain how house Atreides got hold of Arrakis aka Dune which will probably explain how duke Leto got caught between duty/honour and a hard place.
Since the beginning of Brian and Kevins' entrance in the Duniverse they have created better books and the two in this trilogy are quite decent and deliver another dos of Dune. I am really looking forward to the next instalment.
February 28, 2022
I have a video of this review, which you can find at this link, right here: https://youtu.be/FVJWVL6uOg0
In September of 2021, just before the release of Denis Villaneu’s LIVE ACTION DUNE ADAPTATION, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson put out their fifteenth novel in the Dune Franchise, Dune: Lady of Caladan. Out of their fifteen Dune novels, I have read nine, Including Dune: Duke of Caladan, which I reviewed for this channel.
I read Frank Herbert’s Dune when I was in High School, and I have been a fan of these spin off books ever since Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson started putting them out in 1999. That is over twenty years ago, at this point and more than half my life I have been a fan. Don’t get me wrong. I know they are taking As many eggs as they can get from the Golden Spice Goose as possible, to point where there the goose’s skin has cracked and dried and it’s bones have become brittle.
With this newest trilogy of Dune books , I am amazed at how many new characters and story beats Herbert and Anderson can cram into the year before the original Dune book.
This happens with the ongoing story told in Comic books, as well. Essentially these new Dune books are a retcon, and an expansion of the continuity, causing periods of time that seemed uneventful, when compared with the original story, to become super eventful.
When You read the original Dune, by Frank Herbert, You can make the assumption that there has been a feud between House Atredies and House Harkonnen, and that there had been assassination attempts and various struggles between the two noble houses. You would also assume that there had been unrest among the noble houses, in general, that the forces of Emperor Shadam had to quelch, but these two books reveal a story dramatically more epic than that.
With this new trilogy, beginning with Dune: The Duke of Caladan, it is revealed that just prior to the events of the first Dune book, there was outright rebellion against Emperor Shadam. A group calling itself the Noble Commonwealth is trying to take shadam down and entire Noble houses are getting obliterated during the Noble Commonwealth’s conflict with the Empire.
In the sequel book, Dune: The Lady of Caladan, Whether gunning for Duke Leto Atredies, Lady Jessica or Paul, the enemies of Hosue atredies are out for blood. throughout the two books in the series Paul and his parents are put in mortal danger, multiple times. Speaking of Paul’s parents, when you read the original Dune book, It is very clear that Lady Jessica and the Duke love each other deeply. The Duke is aware of Jessica’s loyalty to the Bene Gesserit, but he trusts her completely, and is eternally grateful that she bore him a son. In this Caladan trilogy, we learn that there was a giant rift between the Duke and Lady Jessica, when she chose to act upon the wishes of the Bene Gesserit, and kept her actions secret to him.
This is the reason why I bring up the comparison to Comic Book Retcons. Does it get to a point where the events in these prequel stories are more epic and eventful than the events of the original story that inspired them?
I asked myself that question the entire time I read Lady of Caladan, but that didn’t keep me from thoroughly enjoying the book. Let’s talk about what I did enjoy.
I had read that Frank Herbert believed that Humanity would always incorporate a Hiearchy system, because humans naturally want to be ruled over. Even though Dune is set 10 thousand years in the future, the characters live within a feudal society. The majority of the female characters are in submissive roles, which matches up with the roles you would expect them to have in a feudal society.
The original Dune book seems progressive, since many of the female characters are Bene Gesserit witches, which are the closest thing that Dune has to Jedi. One thing I noticed, after reading close to a dozen dune books, is that the female main characters only fit into two categories - They are bene gesserit witches manipulating the Nobility or they are hardened Fremen Warriors. In this Caladan trilogy, two of the new female characters exist outside of these two categories.One of the new characters, introduced in The Duke of Caladan, Malina Aru, is one of the most powerful women in the Imperium, and her son is the leader of the Noble Commonwealth. I appreciate the fact that Malina, and her agent, who also happens to be Emperor Shadams wife are NOT Bene Gesserits.
We also see Jessica in a different Light than before. In the original series and in the Spin offs by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson, Jessica is always supporting Leto or Paul. The Bulk of her scenes feature also the Duke or his son.
In The Duke of Caladan, Jessica was forced to return to the Benne Gesserit home world of Wallach IX. Without spoiling too much of THE LADY OF CALADAN, I will point out the Jessica spends the majority of the book away from Paul and Leto and from Caladan. We get to see what an independent Jessica looks like. Even though she is still very much focused on getting back to Leto and Paul, we see her have to focus on her own survival, and consider what her role would look like without being the Duke’s concubine.
There are always comparisons between Dune and Star Wars, since the original Star Wars borrowed so heavily from Dune. Also, there are images and concepts from Jodorowsky’s dune that are used throughout the Star Wars movies. Lady of Caladan reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back - Splitting up the main characters for the majority of the story, and ending on a cliffhanger, with multiple plot threads left open.
On both a macro and micro scale these Dune Prequel triologys follow a similar pattern - We reintroduce the main characters that made everyone fall in love with Dune in the first place. Interwoven with these scenes are scenes that introduce a handful of new ancillary characters. These ancillary characters bring a level of tension to the story. Unlike Paul, The Duke, Baron Harkonnen, Gurney Halleck and the others, we don’t know the ultimate fate of these new supporting characters. After the introductions scenes, which can take up the first hundred pages of the book, or so, then there comes the plotting and scheming, between the major characters. This takes up another hundred or so pages. FInally, things truly begin to escalate. Characters die, usually innocents that take the blame for the schemes of the cold blooded nobles, Leto Suffers on some level, and Paul learns a lesson that brings him yet another step closer to becoming Maudib. The Baron concots a fiendish plot, which has the potential to vastly expand his wealth, and possibly wipe out a few atredies. By the end of the book the Baron’s plan backfires and he is just barely able to save his Royal Family from utter destruction. The Baron usually suffers a major humiliation, while he saves his floating, blubbery backside.
It sounds like these Dune spin offs are so repetitive that I can predict what is going to happen in each one. Well, to bring back the comparison to superhero comics, I can easily predict what is going to happen in a Batman story arc, but I still look forward to every issue, because I love the characters so dearly. I think that is why there is still a hunger for these Dune books, the fans love these characters so much, and getting another chance to read about Gurney Halleck strumming away on his his Balliset, Or Rabban trying to win the affections of his evil uncle, or The Lady of Caladan defying her sisterhood is always worth the price of a new duke book.
In September of 2021, just before the release of Denis Villaneu’s LIVE ACTION DUNE ADAPTATION, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson put out their fifteenth novel in the Dune Franchise, Dune: Lady of Caladan. Out of their fifteen Dune novels, I have read nine, Including Dune: Duke of Caladan, which I reviewed for this channel.
I read Frank Herbert’s Dune when I was in High School, and I have been a fan of these spin off books ever since Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson started putting them out in 1999. That is over twenty years ago, at this point and more than half my life I have been a fan. Don’t get me wrong. I know they are taking As many eggs as they can get from the Golden Spice Goose as possible, to point where there the goose’s skin has cracked and dried and it’s bones have become brittle.
With this newest trilogy of Dune books , I am amazed at how many new characters and story beats Herbert and Anderson can cram into the year before the original Dune book.
This happens with the ongoing story told in Comic books, as well. Essentially these new Dune books are a retcon, and an expansion of the continuity, causing periods of time that seemed uneventful, when compared with the original story, to become super eventful.
When You read the original Dune, by Frank Herbert, You can make the assumption that there has been a feud between House Atredies and House Harkonnen, and that there had been assassination attempts and various struggles between the two noble houses. You would also assume that there had been unrest among the noble houses, in general, that the forces of Emperor Shadam had to quelch, but these two books reveal a story dramatically more epic than that.
With this new trilogy, beginning with Dune: The Duke of Caladan, it is revealed that just prior to the events of the first Dune book, there was outright rebellion against Emperor Shadam. A group calling itself the Noble Commonwealth is trying to take shadam down and entire Noble houses are getting obliterated during the Noble Commonwealth’s conflict with the Empire.
In the sequel book, Dune: The Lady of Caladan, Whether gunning for Duke Leto Atredies, Lady Jessica or Paul, the enemies of Hosue atredies are out for blood. throughout the two books in the series Paul and his parents are put in mortal danger, multiple times. Speaking of Paul’s parents, when you read the original Dune book, It is very clear that Lady Jessica and the Duke love each other deeply. The Duke is aware of Jessica’s loyalty to the Bene Gesserit, but he trusts her completely, and is eternally grateful that she bore him a son. In this Caladan trilogy, we learn that there was a giant rift between the Duke and Lady Jessica, when she chose to act upon the wishes of the Bene Gesserit, and kept her actions secret to him.
This is the reason why I bring up the comparison to Comic Book Retcons. Does it get to a point where the events in these prequel stories are more epic and eventful than the events of the original story that inspired them?
I asked myself that question the entire time I read Lady of Caladan, but that didn’t keep me from thoroughly enjoying the book. Let’s talk about what I did enjoy.
I had read that Frank Herbert believed that Humanity would always incorporate a Hiearchy system, because humans naturally want to be ruled over. Even though Dune is set 10 thousand years in the future, the characters live within a feudal society. The majority of the female characters are in submissive roles, which matches up with the roles you would expect them to have in a feudal society.
The original Dune book seems progressive, since many of the female characters are Bene Gesserit witches, which are the closest thing that Dune has to Jedi. One thing I noticed, after reading close to a dozen dune books, is that the female main characters only fit into two categories - They are bene gesserit witches manipulating the Nobility or they are hardened Fremen Warriors. In this Caladan trilogy, two of the new female characters exist outside of these two categories.One of the new characters, introduced in The Duke of Caladan, Malina Aru, is one of the most powerful women in the Imperium, and her son is the leader of the Noble Commonwealth. I appreciate the fact that Malina, and her agent, who also happens to be Emperor Shadams wife are NOT Bene Gesserits.
We also see Jessica in a different Light than before. In the original series and in the Spin offs by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson, Jessica is always supporting Leto or Paul. The Bulk of her scenes feature also the Duke or his son.
In The Duke of Caladan, Jessica was forced to return to the Benne Gesserit home world of Wallach IX. Without spoiling too much of THE LADY OF CALADAN, I will point out the Jessica spends the majority of the book away from Paul and Leto and from Caladan. We get to see what an independent Jessica looks like. Even though she is still very much focused on getting back to Leto and Paul, we see her have to focus on her own survival, and consider what her role would look like without being the Duke’s concubine.
There are always comparisons between Dune and Star Wars, since the original Star Wars borrowed so heavily from Dune. Also, there are images and concepts from Jodorowsky’s dune that are used throughout the Star Wars movies. Lady of Caladan reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back - Splitting up the main characters for the majority of the story, and ending on a cliffhanger, with multiple plot threads left open.
On both a macro and micro scale these Dune Prequel triologys follow a similar pattern - We reintroduce the main characters that made everyone fall in love with Dune in the first place. Interwoven with these scenes are scenes that introduce a handful of new ancillary characters. These ancillary characters bring a level of tension to the story. Unlike Paul, The Duke, Baron Harkonnen, Gurney Halleck and the others, we don’t know the ultimate fate of these new supporting characters. After the introductions scenes, which can take up the first hundred pages of the book, or so, then there comes the plotting and scheming, between the major characters. This takes up another hundred or so pages. FInally, things truly begin to escalate. Characters die, usually innocents that take the blame for the schemes of the cold blooded nobles, Leto Suffers on some level, and Paul learns a lesson that brings him yet another step closer to becoming Maudib. The Baron concots a fiendish plot, which has the potential to vastly expand his wealth, and possibly wipe out a few atredies. By the end of the book the Baron’s plan backfires and he is just barely able to save his Royal Family from utter destruction. The Baron usually suffers a major humiliation, while he saves his floating, blubbery backside.
It sounds like these Dune spin offs are so repetitive that I can predict what is going to happen in each one. Well, to bring back the comparison to superhero comics, I can easily predict what is going to happen in a Batman story arc, but I still look forward to every issue, because I love the characters so dearly. I think that is why there is still a hunger for these Dune books, the fans love these characters so much, and getting another chance to read about Gurney Halleck strumming away on his his Balliset, Or Rabban trying to win the affections of his evil uncle, or The Lady of Caladan defying her sisterhood is always worth the price of a new duke book.
November 7, 2021
I’ve loved the Dune books for decades. I’ve read each sequel and prequel as they’ve released. Some more than once. I’m pretty sure I’ve read Dune at least 15 to 20 times throughout the years.
So now the 2021 movie has been released and it was more than I could have imagined. It was odd to read The Lady of Caladan picturing all the characters of the movie. Just an interesting side note.
DTLoC continues the Dune Caladan trilogy with Jessica trapped with the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. This prequel takes place about a year before Dune takes place so it’s interesting to see the backstory of the characters.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy and can’t wait until the final book is released. I sure hope the authors continue writing in the Dune world. I just can’t seem to get enough!
So now the 2021 movie has been released and it was more than I could have imagined. It was odd to read The Lady of Caladan picturing all the characters of the movie. Just an interesting side note.
DTLoC continues the Dune Caladan trilogy with Jessica trapped with the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. This prequel takes place about a year before Dune takes place so it’s interesting to see the backstory of the characters.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy and can’t wait until the final book is released. I sure hope the authors continue writing in the Dune world. I just can’t seem to get enough!
December 22, 2021
Lady of Caladan is the latest addition to the extended series of prequels to the Frank Hebert’s Dune series, written by his son Brian Herbert and science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson. Lady of Caladan is part of the Caladan trilogy which directly (as opposed to a prequel set 10,000 years earlier as some of them are) precedes the Dune novel itself. This novel is meant to be read as part of the trilogy’s arc, not by itself.
Set in the time just before the Atreides are sent to Arrakis, this novel concerns itself with Duke Leto’s involvement in Great House politics, his encounters with Count Fenring, and the growing tensions with the enemy Harkonnens. Paul is only fourteen and takes a stab at running Caladan in his father’s absence. Jessica, the lady of the title, spends this novel off Caladan, primarily at the Bene Gesserit headquarters on Wallach IX where the Sisters anticipate the coming storm that is Paul Maud’Dib and the results of their millenial-old breeding program. This novel is filled with hints of what readers of the original Dune novel know will come to pass. It fills in the details of the interplanetary intrigue that results in what happens in Dune and on Dune itself.
Purists will decry this as derivative of the original series and it is. For a reader who knows the Dune universe, this will be a worthwhile read, although it may not have enough background for a new reader of the series. It suffers somewhat in comparison to some of the other prequels that were written post-Frank in that it feels like a smaller story, not as grandiose and legendary as the others. Some characters such as, for instance, Duke Leto do not feel as complex as they could be. We get he is the one honorable noble in the imperium. It does not need to be hammered home over and over again.
Set in the time just before the Atreides are sent to Arrakis, this novel concerns itself with Duke Leto’s involvement in Great House politics, his encounters with Count Fenring, and the growing tensions with the enemy Harkonnens. Paul is only fourteen and takes a stab at running Caladan in his father’s absence. Jessica, the lady of the title, spends this novel off Caladan, primarily at the Bene Gesserit headquarters on Wallach IX where the Sisters anticipate the coming storm that is Paul Maud’Dib and the results of their millenial-old breeding program. This novel is filled with hints of what readers of the original Dune novel know will come to pass. It fills in the details of the interplanetary intrigue that results in what happens in Dune and on Dune itself.
Purists will decry this as derivative of the original series and it is. For a reader who knows the Dune universe, this will be a worthwhile read, although it may not have enough background for a new reader of the series. It suffers somewhat in comparison to some of the other prequels that were written post-Frank in that it feels like a smaller story, not as grandiose and legendary as the others. Some characters such as, for instance, Duke Leto do not feel as complex as they could be. We get he is the one honorable noble in the imperium. It does not need to be hammered home over and over again.
October 6, 2021
Probably their worst collaboration yet in addition to the Duke of Caladan. This book runs extremely contrary to subtext of the original Dune book. In the beginning of Dune, Duke Leto emphasizes hits everlasting trust of Lady Jessica, in fact it made a firm basis of the plot, but this subseries seems to make a storyline out of reasons why Duke Leto should not trust her. It was a very bothersome point of the story that made it hard to finish. I am a big fan of the original series, as well as the prequels going from the Butlerian Jihad top House Corrino, but it seems like anything they write past that point of the Dune chronology is just shallow and frustrating. Not exactly excited for the Heir of Caladan finale to the series, but my love for Dune holds obligation for me to read it.
October 7, 2021
This book was worse than last one
While some have drawn a line between the original and the new, I find several of the new ones enjoyable like the House series. But these two authors need to let someone else take over. They are blatantly writing for money now. A planet called Elegy is ridiculous and out of place in planet names. Everything is predictable including the foiled plots and the foiled spy rings. The commonwealth rebellion is boring. The Harkonen are laughable. The whole book is a big set up to the next one but it is more a small predictable fizzle. Yawn of yawns.
While some have drawn a line between the original and the new, I find several of the new ones enjoyable like the House series. But these two authors need to let someone else take over. They are blatantly writing for money now. A planet called Elegy is ridiculous and out of place in planet names. Everything is predictable including the foiled plots and the foiled spy rings. The commonwealth rebellion is boring. The Harkonen are laughable. The whole book is a big set up to the next one but it is more a small predictable fizzle. Yawn of yawns.
November 24, 2023
Ah, the typical 2nd book in a planned trilogy situation.
Having already established that all of these Dune prequels are good enough reads, albeit diluting the universe ever so slightly with each release, how can this book itself be any different from the first?
It is not. Reads and feels exactly like the first one, just as I know the third one will also.
If you're not too pretentious about 'grand things' or 'new characters' or 'new anything', you might just enjoy yourself with these novels. I have.
Having already established that all of these Dune prequels are good enough reads, albeit diluting the universe ever so slightly with each release, how can this book itself be any different from the first?
It is not. Reads and feels exactly like the first one, just as I know the third one will also.
If you're not too pretentious about 'grand things' or 'new characters' or 'new anything', you might just enjoy yourself with these novels. I have.
October 12, 2021
Please don’t listen to the absolute idiots who give this trilogy one or two stars the writing is as good or even better than Franks .the Duniverse survives because of Brian and Kevin. So all of you sad helmets crawl back under your stones and let us avid readers continue to enjoy the saga. Ps if you don’t like the stories don’t read and try to ruin it for the majority.
October 9, 2021
I‘ve read all of the books in the Dune series and of the prequels, this effort is one of the weakest. The plot is predictable, convoluted and surprisingly boring. It seems a rushed effort by the authors. I hope the next installment will be better.
January 8, 2024
2.5 Stars
This was almost good.
It's kinda frustrating.
I love the idea of the background to the original Dune novel but this just doesn't give what I need for it to give.🤷🏾♀️
This was almost good.
It's kinda frustrating.
I love the idea of the background to the original Dune novel but this just doesn't give what I need for it to give.🤷🏾♀️
January 5, 2022
(2.5 stars). I own 18 Dune books, so by law I was obligated to read number 19 & 20. I enjoyed the original 6, and the 3 Preludes. Not a fan of the 3 Legends, and I haven’t gotten around to the most recent Chronicles/Heroes/Schools 6.
Problem #1: The first half of the book (#20) was super repetitive. They still deal with the "Caladan Weed" nonsense, but thankfully, they seem to drop it completely (which is also weird).
Problem #2: The book is super uneven. Thankfully, the book get more interesting halfway in, and the pace really ramps up. I think the first slow half of the book belongs to the last book (#19)
Problem #3: My book pet peeve, it’s not a whole book. It ends on a GD cliffhanger.
I’m in the process of culling my library for when I move/retire, and it looks like I’m outtie on this series (going to have to read the schools/heroes/chronicles series to see if they make the cut). Of course I said that with the last book, so I'll probably read the next one because I'm dumb like that.
Anybody want my 3 Legends books?
Problem #1: The first half of the book (#20) was super repetitive. They still deal with the "Caladan Weed" nonsense, but thankfully, they seem to drop it completely (which is also weird).
Problem #2: The book is super uneven. Thankfully, the book get more interesting halfway in, and the pace really ramps up. I think the first slow half of the book belongs to the last book (#19)
Problem #3: My book pet peeve, it’s not a whole book. It ends on a GD cliffhanger.
I’m in the process of culling my library for when I move/retire, and it looks like I’m outtie on this series (going to have to read the schools/heroes/chronicles series to see if they make the cut). Of course I said that with the last book, so I'll probably read the next one because I'm dumb like that.
Anybody want my 3 Legends books?
October 14, 2021
The Lady of Caladan and the one before it, The Duke of Caladan, are the latest posthumous Dune books written by the author’s son, and there will be a third, rounding out the Trilogy. All three books concern events occurring just before the original Dune takes place. These two prequels, along with the Butlerian Jihad trilogy, Mentats of Dune, and Navigators of Dune are superb. I have high hopes for the third in this trilogy.
January 13, 2022
I thought it was a little slow.
December 14, 2024
This was the 2nd book of the Caladanian trilogy. It mainly focused on the difficulties Lady Jessica faces by being a Bene Geserit and a loving concubine of Duke Leto. The Sisterhood call her back to Wallach IV and end her role of concubine, forcing her to leave her 14 year old son Paul and the man she loves behind. Of course, there is a lot more going on in this story than that. There's the current threat to Shaddam and House Corrino, notorious rebels/terrorists. There's multiple plots by Vladimir Harkonen to disgrace and harm Duke Leto and his family, including assassination attempts. There's a rift in the Bene Geserit that threatens Jessica and Paul. Action on a galaxy wide scale. Once again, Herbert tells the story through the use multiple chapters, each one picking up a different thread, each one a cliffhanger in its own right. The pages keep turning.
Next, The Heir of Caladan.
Next, The Heir of Caladan.
May 2, 2023
Και οι τρεις Ατρείδες παρασύρονται στα σχέδια και τις φιλοδοξίες άλλων, σε μοίρες που δεν επέλεξαν, και προσπαθούν να επιβιώσουν και να ανταπεξέλθουν όσο καλύτερα μπορούν. Όλο το σύμπαν μοιάζει αποφασισμένο να τους χωρίσει, ενώ το μόνο που θέλουν και οι τρεις, είναι την οικογένειά τους ενωμένη και ευτυχισμένη. Και για αυτό θα παλέψουν με κάθε τρόπο.
Για περισσότερα: https://www.thematofylakes.gr/i-arxontissa-tou-kaladan/
Για περισσότερα: https://www.thematofylakes.gr/i-arxontissa-tou-kaladan/
June 21, 2021
I thought that this was a fantastic addition to the series.
You definitely learn more about the Lady Jessica and what lengths she will go to in order to protect her son.
The writing felt very true to the Dune series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book left off on more of a cliff hanger than the Duke of Caladan did so I am definitely looking forward to the next book!
You definitely learn more about the Lady Jessica and what lengths she will go to in order to protect her son.
The writing felt very true to the Dune series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book left off on more of a cliff hanger than the Duke of Caladan did so I am definitely looking forward to the next book!
August 31, 2025
Huge Dune fan, but circling around the same characters for so long now, its getting old...
February 5, 2024
7/10
Druga część trylogii, poprzedzającej wydarzenia z oryginalnej Diuny (około roku przed oryginałem)
Ten tom mocno skupia się na wydarzeniach Lady Jessicy i jej zmagań z zakonem sióstr. Zakończenie daje do myślenia, co to się wydarzy w ostatnim tomie i w jaki sposób to zepnie wszystkie wydarzenia, aby pasowały do oryginalnej książki, ponieważ losy postaci i ich umiejscowienie na końcu tej części jest mocno intrygujące.
Całość czyta się bardzo dobrze, cały czas śledzimy około 5 różnych wątków, więc nie ma mowy o nudzie.
Polecam
Druga część trylogii, poprzedzającej wydarzenia z oryginalnej Diuny (około roku przed oryginałem)
Ten tom mocno skupia się na wydarzeniach Lady Jessicy i jej zmagań z zakonem sióstr. Zakończenie daje do myślenia, co to się wydarzy w ostatnim tomie i w jaki sposób to zepnie wszystkie wydarzenia, aby pasowały do oryginalnej książki, ponieważ losy postaci i ich umiejscowienie na końcu tej części jest mocno intrygujące.
Całość czyta się bardzo dobrze, cały czas śledzimy około 5 różnych wątków, więc nie ma mowy o nudzie.
Polecam
December 8, 2021
4.5/5, since GR won't allow for half stars. I know that expanded Dune is a contention point within the fandom, and even I can see some of the slight canon disagreements between these prequel novels and Dune.
But it doesn't bother me. I'm well versed in the world of AUs, and anyone with history in the Star Wars fandom (with which one of the authors has played a significant role, for years) should know how to handle arguing canonpoints and retcons.
I care far more about whether a story is engaging, entertaining, and well put together on its own merits. It doesn't have to be #canon (except expanded Dune IS canon, no matter how much those hoping to continue to gatekeep the series from others dislike and resist this). I grew up on mythology, fan fiction, and confusing franchises: contradictions are not an immediate flaw.
Putting aside the "but didn't the original say--" isn't even terribly needed here, but it helps to look at the Duniverse with a lense that is not "Frank Herbert has the inarguable voice of God, everything else is wrong and therefore bad."
(I doubt, knowing how FH felt about veneration and blind devotion, that he would even welcome this sort of attitude).
I appreciate this trilogy for fleshing out characters who--to be fair--become more like mouthpieces than people the farther into the original series you get. I don't find a gargantuan amount of the worldbuilding to be as contradictory as some want me to. Even if some of the facts are missed, the spirit of it works for me: these are all characters drowning in the machinations of different organizations who want them to serve specific roles, rather than live through their experiences organically (interesting, given the Bene Gesserit fixation on "humanity" and how tightly they want to hold control and distance themselves *from* it).
The original gives us people swept into the machinations of a terrible purpose, destinies no one has chosen, no one desires, and are nigh impossible to shirk. Plans in plans in plans.
This trilogy works in the same way: Jessica, Paul, and Leto are all swept into various schemes and peril, often NOT actually a result of their own choices, though all are told as much around each turn.
I do wish that the novel had centered more on Jessica (as her supposed novel), but the expansion and inner corruption of the BG give me such intense vibes of "corruption of the Jedi" (which SW clearly pulled from Dune first) that I can't help but be transfixed.
I am once again asking: raise you hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Gaius Helen Mohiam.
But it doesn't bother me. I'm well versed in the world of AUs, and anyone with history in the Star Wars fandom (with which one of the authors has played a significant role, for years) should know how to handle arguing canonpoints and retcons.
I care far more about whether a story is engaging, entertaining, and well put together on its own merits. It doesn't have to be #canon (except expanded Dune IS canon, no matter how much those hoping to continue to gatekeep the series from others dislike and resist this). I grew up on mythology, fan fiction, and confusing franchises: contradictions are not an immediate flaw.
Putting aside the "but didn't the original say--" isn't even terribly needed here, but it helps to look at the Duniverse with a lense that is not "Frank Herbert has the inarguable voice of God, everything else is wrong and therefore bad."
(I doubt, knowing how FH felt about veneration and blind devotion, that he would even welcome this sort of attitude).
I appreciate this trilogy for fleshing out characters who--to be fair--become more like mouthpieces than people the farther into the original series you get. I don't find a gargantuan amount of the worldbuilding to be as contradictory as some want me to. Even if some of the facts are missed, the spirit of it works for me: these are all characters drowning in the machinations of different organizations who want them to serve specific roles, rather than live through their experiences organically (interesting, given the Bene Gesserit fixation on "humanity" and how tightly they want to hold control and distance themselves *from* it).
The original gives us people swept into the machinations of a terrible purpose, destinies no one has chosen, no one desires, and are nigh impossible to shirk. Plans in plans in plans.
This trilogy works in the same way: Jessica, Paul, and Leto are all swept into various schemes and peril, often NOT actually a result of their own choices, though all are told as much around each turn.
I do wish that the novel had centered more on Jessica (as her supposed novel), but the expansion and inner corruption of the BG give me such intense vibes of "corruption of the Jedi" (which SW clearly pulled from Dune first) that I can't help but be transfixed.
I am once again asking: raise you hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Gaius Helen Mohiam.
January 28, 2024
3 1/2⭐️
Although it’s kind of hard to get through this book, knowing you still have to wait until the end of the third one for them to reunite, it is very interesting how Brian Herbert explored the dark side of Jessica’s past and her relationship with the Bene Gesserit. Reading about her struggles, choosing between her own life and her duties, her beliefs, having to do what she was raises to do but having evolved from the simple Bene Gesserit and concubine she was raised to be, without the Bene Gesserit realising or understanding it.
Jessica is so much more than just Paul’s mother or Leto’s concubine and I love the way he portrayed her strengths and weaknesses in this.
Although it’s kind of hard to get through this book, knowing you still have to wait until the end of the third one for them to reunite, it is very interesting how Brian Herbert explored the dark side of Jessica’s past and her relationship with the Bene Gesserit. Reading about her struggles, choosing between her own life and her duties, her beliefs, having to do what she was raises to do but having evolved from the simple Bene Gesserit and concubine she was raised to be, without the Bene Gesserit realising or understanding it.
Jessica is so much more than just Paul’s mother or Leto’s concubine and I love the way he portrayed her strengths and weaknesses in this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2022
The only thing I find holding this back from a 5 star rating is the sub-plot of Jaxson Aru's New Commonwealth rebellion...it's one too many plots in a massive collection of machinations, both persona and epic...and it's by far the least interesting of the collection. The rest of the novel is superb, with short chapters feeling like swift TV scene cuts, never sticking around too long to get bogged down or boring. The cliffhanger is a bit...soft? Best word I can think of...but I certainly look forward to the final book in the trilogy.
December 4, 2021
It's like the author didn't even read the originals before writing this. The characters go against everything we've learned about them in the previous books. Even in this book, it will describe a character as one way but have their actions don't match up. Overall, I was just very disappointed.
November 11, 2021
there’s very little lady of caladan in this lady of caladan
Read
August 1, 2024I actually do have complaints for this book. But it’s Dune, so… I don’t care. I loved it.
February 19, 2024
The second book in the Caladan trilogy, The Lady of Caladan picks up where The Duke of Caladan left off.
The illicit drug Ailar has resurfaced on Caladan, confounding the Atreides government. To complicate matters further, the Baron Harkonnen issues a challenge to his nephews, Feyd and Rabban, to come up with individual plans to hurt House Atreides as a test to demonstrate their fitness as his potential successors. (I don’t find this arc particularly believable…but, oh well.) Jaxson Aru continues to work his schemes as the leader of the Noble Commonwealth rebellion, wreaking havoc across the Imperium. Shaddam is ever Shaddam, and Count Fenring has his hands full managing the political fallout of the Emperor’s new spice surtax, while simultaneously hunting down a rogue group of smugglers stealing spice on Arrakis.
While I’m finding some aspects of the story to be enjoyable, the plot is characteristically thin. Unfortunately, Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson are just terrible when it comes to creating something that comes together in a cohesive way, and I can’t help but find myself frustrated with them at times. (For example, at one point they write in an attack on the Imperial palace by having a terrorist fly a stolen Imperial ship into it, and then they make the statement that such a direct attack against the capital hasn’t happened since the attacks on Salusa Secundus. This is despite the fact that a mere two or three years before these events (see Princess of Dune), the rebel leader Moko Zenha directly attacks the palace using stolen Imperial fleet vessels, some of which literally crash into the palace. It’s the exact same plot device. Granted, PoD was written after this book, but you’d think that if they cared about cohesion across their stories, they’d have these things in mind.)
The other issue I take with the Herbert/Anderson style is how contrived their plots are, and just how convenient and small their portrayal of the Dune universe really is. A small example is when Jessica is reassigned to House Tull on Elegy, and of all the planets in the Imperium, her estranged Duke Leto just happens to travel there at the same time without any knowledge of where she is. Another example is when Xora and two other Bene Gesserit sisters travel to Caladan on separate trips, and both Feyd’s assassin and the Lady Jessica happen to have perfectly random chance encounters with the aforementioned parties at just the right times. And how about Halleck getting nabbed BY THE HARKONNENS, AND having his implant discovered? *massive eye roll* In an empire of a million worlds, things happen in such convenient ways and in such tiny circles. Where is the imagination here?
I love Dune, and I love the Dune community, which by default extends to Brian and Kevin’s books. But they’re not great, and that much is well known. Unfortunately, writing dozens of books doesn’t necessarily make you better at it. It’s sad that they can’t do such a rich universe any justice. Where’s a mentat when you need one…or just a good editor?
But my complaints aside…I am still (relatively) enjoying this trilogy, once I work through the sporadic episodes of irritation which arise from reading it. I find Jaxson Aru’s character arc to be interesting, as well as Giandro Tull’s. Both are sympathetic characters. Leto’s story is developing nicely as he goes underground in a deadly game of chess between the Imperium and the rebellion. Jessica navigating the Sisterhood as it splits into factions around her decision to bear a son has been an interesting arc to follow as well. The story isn’t completely without its virtues. I look forward to seeing if they can manage to make the last book of the trilogy somewhat more coherent and less contrived than things have been thus far.
3 out of 5 stars.
The illicit drug Ailar has resurfaced on Caladan, confounding the Atreides government. To complicate matters further, the Baron Harkonnen issues a challenge to his nephews, Feyd and Rabban, to come up with individual plans to hurt House Atreides as a test to demonstrate their fitness as his potential successors. (I don’t find this arc particularly believable…but, oh well.) Jaxson Aru continues to work his schemes as the leader of the Noble Commonwealth rebellion, wreaking havoc across the Imperium. Shaddam is ever Shaddam, and Count Fenring has his hands full managing the political fallout of the Emperor’s new spice surtax, while simultaneously hunting down a rogue group of smugglers stealing spice on Arrakis.
While I’m finding some aspects of the story to be enjoyable, the plot is characteristically thin. Unfortunately, Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson are just terrible when it comes to creating something that comes together in a cohesive way, and I can’t help but find myself frustrated with them at times. (For example, at one point they write in an attack on the Imperial palace by having a terrorist fly a stolen Imperial ship into it, and then they make the statement that such a direct attack against the capital hasn’t happened since the attacks on Salusa Secundus. This is despite the fact that a mere two or three years before these events (see Princess of Dune), the rebel leader Moko Zenha directly attacks the palace using stolen Imperial fleet vessels, some of which literally crash into the palace. It’s the exact same plot device. Granted, PoD was written after this book, but you’d think that if they cared about cohesion across their stories, they’d have these things in mind.)
The other issue I take with the Herbert/Anderson style is how contrived their plots are, and just how convenient and small their portrayal of the Dune universe really is. A small example is when Jessica is reassigned to House Tull on Elegy, and of all the planets in the Imperium, her estranged Duke Leto just happens to travel there at the same time without any knowledge of where she is. Another example is when Xora and two other Bene Gesserit sisters travel to Caladan on separate trips, and both Feyd’s assassin and the Lady Jessica happen to have perfectly random chance encounters with the aforementioned parties at just the right times. And how about Halleck getting nabbed BY THE HARKONNENS, AND having his implant discovered? *massive eye roll* In an empire of a million worlds, things happen in such convenient ways and in such tiny circles. Where is the imagination here?
I love Dune, and I love the Dune community, which by default extends to Brian and Kevin’s books. But they’re not great, and that much is well known. Unfortunately, writing dozens of books doesn’t necessarily make you better at it. It’s sad that they can’t do such a rich universe any justice. Where’s a mentat when you need one…or just a good editor?
But my complaints aside…I am still (relatively) enjoying this trilogy, once I work through the sporadic episodes of irritation which arise from reading it. I find Jaxson Aru’s character arc to be interesting, as well as Giandro Tull’s. Both are sympathetic characters. Leto’s story is developing nicely as he goes underground in a deadly game of chess between the Imperium and the rebellion. Jessica navigating the Sisterhood as it splits into factions around her decision to bear a son has been an interesting arc to follow as well. The story isn’t completely without its virtues. I look forward to seeing if they can manage to make the last book of the trilogy somewhat more coherent and less contrived than things have been thus far.
3 out of 5 stars.
December 8, 2022
I enjoyed this one a lot, but then that’s hardly surprising. It’s the second of a prequel trilogy which is the latest to come out from Herbert and Anderson, and up until recently, I didn’t even know that it existed. Because of that, it was a little bit of a bonus to discover and read and a continuation of a series that I’ve loved so far and which I even have a tattoo of.
Perhaps the main reason that I liked this one is that Duke Leto Atreides is still alive at this point, and he’s always been one of my favourite characters to read about. I’ve never been much of a fan of Paul, which is probably what Frank Herbert was going for, but his father has always fascinated me. The earlier prequels have a lot to do with that.
We also have some good stuff here about the Lady Jessica, including an exploration into her relationship with the Bene Gesserit. I’ve always not-so-secretly thought that she was a bit of a bitch, but I think Herbert and Anderson did a good job of humanising her here. She’s still not my favourite person in the Dune universe, but I do at least have a greater understanding of what makes her tick.
Of course, this is so far into the series by now that you’re not going to want to read it unless you’ve read the other books, and if you’re tempted to read the books in order of their events rather than in order of publication date, I’d caution against it. I think it’s kind of remarkable that the two authors have been able to build an extension to the series that hops around in time and yet still somehow just works.
There’s another book to follow this one, and I believe it came out a couple of months ago. My copy is already on its way to me, and so I’ll be ticking that one off soon, too. I find that each of the Brian/Kevin collaboration trilogies tends to hit a little trough in the middle, only to pick back up again at the end as everything gets wrapped up. If the same thing is true here, I’ve got a lot to look forward to.
What more do you want to know? It’s new Dune, man. If you’ve been enjoying the series, read it.
Perhaps the main reason that I liked this one is that Duke Leto Atreides is still alive at this point, and he’s always been one of my favourite characters to read about. I’ve never been much of a fan of Paul, which is probably what Frank Herbert was going for, but his father has always fascinated me. The earlier prequels have a lot to do with that.
We also have some good stuff here about the Lady Jessica, including an exploration into her relationship with the Bene Gesserit. I’ve always not-so-secretly thought that she was a bit of a bitch, but I think Herbert and Anderson did a good job of humanising her here. She’s still not my favourite person in the Dune universe, but I do at least have a greater understanding of what makes her tick.
Of course, this is so far into the series by now that you’re not going to want to read it unless you’ve read the other books, and if you’re tempted to read the books in order of their events rather than in order of publication date, I’d caution against it. I think it’s kind of remarkable that the two authors have been able to build an extension to the series that hops around in time and yet still somehow just works.
There’s another book to follow this one, and I believe it came out a couple of months ago. My copy is already on its way to me, and so I’ll be ticking that one off soon, too. I find that each of the Brian/Kevin collaboration trilogies tends to hit a little trough in the middle, only to pick back up again at the end as everything gets wrapped up. If the same thing is true here, I’ve got a lot to look forward to.
What more do you want to know? It’s new Dune, man. If you’ve been enjoying the series, read it.
March 14, 2024
An interesting story with many plotlines woven together. Really the whole trilogy is one big story. Fun to see all the political machinations of the Bene Gesserit, Harkonnens, Choam Company, and Noble Commonwealth. I wanted to see the Bene Gesserit do more butt kicking. Jessica and Leto were too placid as well, I wanted to see them try a bit harder rather than just go with what was expected.
June 10, 2024
Considering the whole spectrum of Brian Herbert's Dune books, I feel positively towards this book. The second half I read fairly quickly and I had an easy time imagining the scenes and enjoying the plot twists. Sometimes he can be predictable, but over all this book had some things I didn't see coming. That kept it interesting.
August 22, 2025
Games within Games. It is apparent that this story is the leadup to how the Atreides gain Arrakis from being a middle noble house but I did find this story (which is good and entertaining) rather dragged out for no apparent reason. Love the story, just wish it had a bit more of Frank's depth to it.
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