Paul of Dune

By: Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 18 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

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?"

Paul of Dune is a novel everyone will want to read and no one will be able to forget.

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.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

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!

35 of 43 people found this review helpful

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.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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!!!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Good Filler

Yes, this book is just filler and yes you could go from Dune straight to Dune Messiah but you will be missing a very good story. There are no nail-biting revelations, Paul of Dune just allows you to have more time with the characters that you have come to love and hate.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Huh. Neat.

I'm not a writer but I think I could do a better job with Frank's notes. I enjoyed the House trilogy. it was fun. But this book was not even on that level. I understand this book was based on Frank's notes. But these particular back stories aren't good enough to be published. And they were written poorly. But since I'm a Dune junkie I was glued to this novel. If you are an original series purest then skip this. If you can tolerate Brian and Kevin's work then check it out. I'm listening to heretics now and marveling over how brilliantly it was authored. While listening to this book I was constantly shaking my head and at how basic it was.

Worst of the Dune expansion (so far)

Recycled plots, unoriginal, boring in many parts. really disappointed. More about the expansion story than trying to connect the original stories.

Quality reading though as always.

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!!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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 :)

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

9 of 13 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 11 people found this review helpful