Dune: The Duke of Caladan

by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

Overview

A legend begins in Dune: The Duke of Caladan, first in The Caladan Trilogy by New York Times bestselling authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

Leto Atreides, Duke of Caladan and father of the Muad’Dib. While all know of his fall and the rise of his son, little is known about the quiet ruler of Caladan and his partner Jessica. Or how a Duke of an inconsequential planet earned an emperor’s favor, the ire of House Harkonnen, and set himself on a collision course with his own death. This is the story.

Through patience and loyalty, Leto serves the Golden Lion Throne. Where others scheme, the Duke of Caladan acts. But Leto’s powerful enemies are starting to feel that he is rising beyond his station, and House Atreides rises too high. With unseen enemies circling, Leto must decide if the twin burdens of duty and honor are worth the price of his life, family, and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250764744
Publisher:	Tom Doherty Associates
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Series:	Caladan Trilogy Series , #1
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	28,383
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

BRIAN HERBERT, the son of Frank Herbert, is the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers. In 2003, he published Dreamer of Dune, a moving biography of his father that was nominated for the Hugo Award. His other novels include Man of Two Worlds (written with Frank Herbert), Sudanna Sudanna, and The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma.

KEVIN J. ANDERSON has written dozens of national bestsellers and has been nominated for the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the SFX Readers' Choice Award. His critically acclaimed original novels include the ambitious space opera series The Saga of Seven Suns, including The Dark Between the Stars, as well as the Terra Incognita fantasy epic with its two accompanying rock CDs. He also set the Guinness-certified world record for the largest single-author book signing.

Editorial Reviews

08/31/2020

Herbert and Anderson’s tepid 15th foray into the universe of Herbert’s father’s Dune novels (after Tales of Dune) adds little to the original series’ mix of action, politics, magic, and religion. Duke Leto Atreides, whose son, Paul, here just 14, is the fulcrum of the original Dune trilogy, is attending the inauguration of a new museum built by Emperor Shaddam IV when he notices someone lurking suspiciously in the vicinity of the emperor. Leto sounds the alarm, enabling Shaddam to get off-planet before the museum complex is destroyed by explosives launched from orbit. The subsequent hunt for the terrorist overlaps with Leto’s own search for answers after he’s accused of being involved in distributing a deadly drug. Meanwhile, teenage Paul undergoes rigorous physical training, alongside a handful of characters who will be familiar to followers of the series. Despite some nice touches, such as the elecrans, sea creatures that move like living lightning, this prequel is largely uninspired. The passable prose and lackluster plot will limit this one’s appeal to diehard fans only. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

12/04/2020

This first book of a projected trilogy attempts to shift the focus of the classic Dune from Paul Atreides to his father, Leto, Duke of Caladan. This is done by detailing Leto—and Paul's—final year on their home planet Caladan and showing the circumstances that led to the family's exile on Arrakis, to Leto's assassination, and to Paul's transformation into Maud'dib, the leader of the Fremen Rebellion. Unlike the classic that is both its forebearer and its successor, this is a story that gets deep into the weeds of political chicanery, corporate greed, and ruthless ambition. It also has a difficult time sustaining dramatic tension as the reader already knows the fate of the characters less than one year in their future, making the narrative illuminating but not nearly as compelling as the classic. VERDICT Recommended for readers who feel compelled to complete their knowledge of this world, fans who want to know everything there is to know before the next movie version, and libraries where previous continuations of this series have proven popular.—Marlene Harris, Reading Reality, LLC, Duluth, GA

Library Journal

This is a fast-paced, fun read, and it’s sure to help with the pangs of missing out on the film this year.” —Big Shiny Robot

“Dune: The Duke of Caladan is the first of a trilogy set just before Dune, and is a great entry in the series, perfect to read just before tackling a reread of the main cycle.” —Grimdark Magazine

“Characters and plot are thus beautifully set up, the timing is precise...the universe...is so vast, complex and fascinating that the magic lingers.” —Kirkus Reviews on Sisterhood of Dune

“Delivers solid action and will certainly satisfy.” —Booklist on The Winds of Dune

“Fans of the original Dune series will love seeing familiar characters, and the narrative voice smoothly evokes the elder Herbert's style.” —Publishers Weekly on The Winds of Dune

“This sequel to Paul of Dune is an important addition to the Dune chronology and will be in demand by Herbert fans.” —Library Journal, starred review on The Winds of Dune

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