Paul of Dune

Book One of the Heroes of Dune

By: Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 18 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Paul of Dune is a sci-fi adventure novel everyone will want to read and no one will be able to forget. "Scott Brick delivers a powerful and entertaining reading reminiscent of a theatrical performance in a brilliant one-man show. Brick's voice is ideally suited to this extraordinary tale; no doubt he studied the prose of each novel to capture the dialect perfectly. This is a superb, solid reading that will appeal to fans and newcomers alike." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Frank Herbert's Dune ended with Paul Muad'Dib in control of the planet Dune. Herbert's next Dune book, Dune Messiah, picked up the story several years later after Paul's armies had conquered the galaxy. But what happened between Dune and Dune Messiah? How did Paul create his empire and become the Messiah? Following in the footsteps of Frank Herbert, New York Times best-selling authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are answering these questions in Paul of Dune. 

The Muad'Dib's jihad is in full swing. His warrior legions march from victory to victory. But beneath the joy of victory there are dangerous undercurrents. Paul, like nearly every great conqueror, has enemies - those who would betray him to steal the awesome power he commands...

And Paul himself begins to have doubts: Is the jihad getting out of his control? Has he created anarchy? Has he been betrayed by those he loves and trusts the most? And most of all, he wonders: Am I going mad?

Don't miss other titles in the Dune series.

©2008 Herbert Properties LLC (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

JUST OK, reluctant 4 stars....

Decently written but unremarkable Dune rehash, meant to pick up where Dune left off, that never manages to engage. No further insights into the vividly drawn characters from Dune, in fact they all seem rather sterile. Paul & company are disenchanted with the direction things have taken, and you will be too. If you're a Dune junkie, you may want to read this. Otherwise, probably wise to skip.

Great Listen but...

This will get slammed by some because it's not Frank Herbert, well guess what? Frank is long gone and there was only one of him.
Brian and Kevin are their own writers and they carry on the Dune experience in their own very exciting fashion, I really like it because while reflecting Franks original concept they really add some great ideas into the original story line. So from some of the purest I think there will be alot of gripes but for the rest of us we shall just enjoy a great book that carries on the amazing world of DUNE!

It took me two tries ...

It took me two tries to start listening to this book - I just couldn't stand the religious zealots...then it got good - I really liked the intricate story around the Fenrings and bitterness of Shaddam. I have been a fan of the Dune universe for a very long time and I really enjoy the expanded universe that has been woven with the prequels and now this interstitial tale - and it looks like more to come. I think this story was needed - and it helped to make sense of the jump from the noble son of a duke to a messiah for which a jihad is fought.

Had some problems at first with the 2nd and 3rd parts as my bookmarks on the Zune (kept showing me Chapter 1) and my machine was not holding my bookmark when I shut the book off and had to fast forward to my position everytime I restarted.

Good back stories but not much more

A significant portion of this book where back stories of young Paul usually consisting of events that occurred prior to Dune. As others have said there is very little that adds to the story that skipping this book will make you miss. This book was written as an insert between Dune and Dune Messiah and it is clear in that respect. I think of this book as Dune 1.5 if Dune Messiah is Dune 2.

I see this book as a summer extension of a TV series. Missing this book will not cause those who follow the real seasons (Dune) and (Dune Messiah) will miss.

A Prescient Filling in of the Gaps in Dune Lore

A strong, well-paced story that leaps back and forth provides a deeply and richly layered history of what made Paul Atreides the Kwisatz Haderach and a flawed, even tormented, but ultimately decisive emperor of the known galaxy.

Paul of Dune

This book is excellent in that it tells of the events in detail to set you up for Dune Messiah and the rise and fall of Paul M'uab dib. All the problems and challenges he face as the new emperor of the known universe. I have to say I really didn't like Paul in this book but it was so exciting to listen to!!!

Poor writing, a book for dude bros

I'm definitely struggling to finish this one. Definitely a boring listen. The pacing is poor and the story disjointed. The authors clearly don't know how to write multidimensional women, and they make an absolute mess of the one ostensibly gay character. Paul is slightly better written, but still highly one dimensional. Finally, which is one of the books greater sins, is that if you've just read or listened to Dune, you'll notice several inconsistencies in the plot and other details. The narration was good overall, but there was no female voice actor and the narrator did terrible female voices.

More drudge from Brian Herbert

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The only reason to listen to this is to get the back-story for the events in Dune Messiah. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson though are amateurs whose writing seems to cater to 5th graders, they take no time to build up a story or create worlds like Frank Herbert did. There is little imagination and the story is told in a haphazard fashion.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something not by Brian Herbert.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

The narrator was fine. Not his fault the material is atrocious.

Was Paul of Dune worth the listening time?

No not really. If there were Cliffs Notes they would have been more enjoyable.

Why oh why did Frank Herbert die

I foolishly keep hoping that these guys will improve and pay proper homage to Frank's masterpiece. But again I am sorely dissapointed. I don't understand how you can take characters that we have come to love and them them so unloveable. If you love Frank Herbert, don't bother with this.

this is the worst book out of the dune series.

seriously don't even bother. story jumps around and feels like they are just bringing up characters to get lovers of the series into it. avoid at all cost.

more amazing dune!

best sci fi series of books ever made and cudos to them for doing more after the death of Frank. may be a bit too informational for any people who aren't diehard fans of the dune universe. once again it's plots withing plots, intrigue and cunning cover to cover. fills many of the gaps left in the other stories, portraying parts of Paul's early life after the legends of dune books and also the time of huge upheaval during the period when Paul is imposing his rule on the planets of the empire and the remaining rebel Noble houses. keep them coming!!!

Excellent story, well read.

The Dune series translates well to audio. Hopefull we will be able to hear the rest if the Brian/Kevin Dune books -Please :)

Not good

Wish I had not bothered. I knew it was not written by Frank Herbert and it shows....

The characters are completely different to the originals (if you can call them characters they are so cardboard like).
Writing style is..... well, not good.
The reader is continually reminded of the characters attributes 'the loyalty and honour of the Atriedes' the 'perversions of Harkonens' etc like they have forgotten already from the previous page....
The book seems to have been written for those not able to understand the original Dune series.
With no surprising twists or turns except for one. And without spoiling the twist for any future reader of the book, I would say the twist is the most highly unimaginative twist I have ever read in any book (the reader will know) .....Some of the quotes and words of wisdom before chapters (like the original series) are truly bad, some I even cringed at for the sake of the writers.

Truly disappointed, I will not read any more from these authors in the Dune series........ It rips the heart from a wonderful set of original books and transplants it into a dead sheep.......
Such a shame.

Well told expansion of muadib between the stories

Tremendously pleasurable to listen to, a fascinating story in the life of muadib expanding on the stories of intriguing characters

Loved it

Written by Herberts son, this is totally in step with the writings of his father. It captures the mindset of Paul perfectly. Unlike the later Dune books by Herbert senior, this one captures you and holds on tight. Political machinations, emotional turmoil and folding space. What more could a Dune fan want. Ten out of ten.

Appalling!!!!!

Worst book I've ever listened to!! From the story to the audio whish I'd not downloaded it, total waste of credit. Yes I know its written by diffrent authors but you do expect a certain quality in a DUNE book and this fell short.....very short! The audio quality wasn't up to standard either very tinny.

Excellent addition to the Dune Universe.

Since when did Gurney Hallack have a Scottish accent!?! spoilt the overall enjoyment of the book

loved it

Scott Brick is amazing, all characters clearly defined and engaging. I've shared it with my brother who adores the books hoping he'll enjoy the audio version too.

Stunning read!

Loved this book, well done to Kevin and Brian on the writing, the story was excellent! I also enjoyed the pace and the action in the book "long live the fighters!"

Fits it with the originals

It fits in with the original books flawlessly and brilliantly! * * * * *