Dune: The Lady of Caladan (The Caladan Trilogy, 2)

The story goes on. For those who want more of the Dune story, the author does a good job filling in the details. Plots within plots and the beginning of murder of the Duke and the downfall of Dr. Yueh. Harkonnen treachery and the emperor's scheming make the book interesting. Of course it ends with all the pieces ready to move and the outcome uncertain, but we know how it turns out. Looking forward to the next book.

Dune books by Frank Herbert and now his son must currently number into 20s or more. I am a super fan, and never tire of them. This book, the second in a trilogy, which focused on the Atreides family when Paul was a teen, once again provided layers of backstory and insights which make the beloved characters evermore real. I look forward to reading the next installment.

Such a good part 2 to The Duke of Caladan. This book splits its focus between Lady Jessica, Duke Leto, Paul and multiple antagonists, all of which are major players to the plot line of the story. This is the second book I've read in the Brian Herbert and Keven J. Anderdson "Dune" line and as much negative reviews as I have heard over the years about their treatment of the Dune universe, this book and its predecessor were very enjoyable! Very much recommend!

Not sure I accept this installment in the history of Dune based on the events chronicled in Dune itself. Seemed repetitive and dragged in places. I will see how the third installment brings the story back in line.

I remember reading a quote from a review of one of the Dune spin off novels, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson, that said that by turning Dune into a franchise it diluted the original books.

I have to disagree with this quote.

John Snider of Sci Fi Dimensions said that the Spin off Prequel books “make (Frank) Herbert’s esoteric and philosophical stories more accessible to general audiences”.

I think that quote is far more accurate.

I was introduced to Dune via the 1984 David Lynch film. The movie, as bizarre as it was to watch, when I was a kid, helped me understand Frank Herbert’s original novel, when I was finally able to read it as a young adult. I went from the original to Dune Messiah and Children of Dune, but hit a roadblock at God Emperor of Dune.

It wasn’t until I found the Spin off books by Herbert’s son and Kevin J Anderson that I was able to really immerse myself in this world, and really come to love it as a franchise that has almost always been overlooked by the mainstream.

Like the Harkonnens have strip mined Arakis for its spice, Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson have strip mined Frank Herbert’s notes and vision, to chronicle almost every time period in the lives of Duke Leto Atreides and his son, Paul Atreides.

The first book in this Caladan series, Dune: The Duke of Caladan, focused on Leto Atreides once again, in the time right before the original Dune book. The Lady of Caladan focuses on his concubine, Jessica. It elaborates on the fallout she has to face after betraying the Bene Gesserit sisterhood.
Jessica has played an important role in the Dune prequel books that Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson have written, and even in a few of the Dune Sequel books that the duo has written, but she has always acted as an advisor or emotional support to either Leto or Paul. In this book, we really get to see Jessica, as an individual.

In the aftermath of The Duke of Caladan, Jessica is in an extra vulnerable spot. It seems as if she and the Duke have separated and she has also been summoned back to the Bene Gesserit homeworld. This sets up a great opportunity for Jessica to interact with her fellow Bene Gesserit sisters. We saw Jessica and her sisters share a few tense scenes within the Frank Herbert books and in the Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson books, but just like the other prequels, The Lady of Caladan gives us extra opportunities to see some of our favorite characters sparring off against each other.

Herbert and Anderson also expand upon the actual Dune Universe, by continuing the stories of characters that were introduced in The Duke Of Caladan.

We follow Jaxon Aru, head of a rebellion fighting against the forces of Emperor Shadam, as well as Jaxon’s mother who is the director of CHOAM, which is the entity that controls the economic affairs of the Dune Universe, in the far future. Another new character we follow is Colonel Bashar Kokona, a Sardukar enforcer, who is attempting to uncover and destroy members of the rebellion and also happens to have a vendetta against Duke Leto.

I think that critics of the Dune spin offs might say that by adding all of these extra characters and adding major events to the lives of characters from the original book makes the story seem more fantastical and pulpy. I welcome these new additions, especially these new characters. I am grateful for any chance I am able to spend time with Paul Atreides, his father, the Baron Harkonnen, Count Fenrig, and of course, the Lady of Caladan.

I considered House Harkonnen, the second book in the prequel series, to be the highlight of that trilogy. I think it is very possible that the Lady of Caladan might be the highlight of this series.

Over the decades , I've read all the books in the Dune saga so my enjoyment of this installment was not unexpected . There were no surprises or big reveals just a continuation and evolution of the Dune story started so very long ago . I do wonder what will happen after the next book which will presumably bring us to an end - - new Dune connected to old Dune . If it is the end , Dune will be missed .

The book itself is so-so. It's still the Dune universe, but possibly you might find that there are diminishing returns here. It depends how cynical you are.

However, one thing that stands out is how rough the audiobook version is. Scott Brick sounds almost unrecognizable in this. A head cold? I think maybe his audio engineer was asleep at the wheel! Not to mention the audiobook is riddled with outtakes that were...not out-taken! You'll hear Mr. Brick make several attempts at delivering lines. Interesting from a behind the scenes POV, but not for a finished product!

Very sloppy.

I'm a HUGE Dune fan. I have all the original and new books, including prequels. I've read many to the point of having no choice but to replace them with hardcover seeing as the paperbacks can only take so much abuse. The authors worked with Frank Herbert in preparation for more books, using notes and drafts he kept in security boxes because he knew he wouldn't live to see the story completed.

The first book had a big mystery about exactly why Lady Jessica was suspect, why her loyalty was questioned. This latest set of prequels (there's another book in the works that takes place immediately after this) explains a lot of what was left out of the original. It takes away nothing and adds a great more to the overall story, filling in the little plot holes.

I especially like how the authors work together. The combination of their writing styles and love for the story work really well. Transitioning from one character to the next, each chapter focusing on another character and switching so smoothly, it's something I enjoy rather than a break in a chapter. Some may find it jarring, but I love it. No cramming as much info as possible into small spaces, but also not so flighty and short as to be disappointing. I'm only halfway through the book (I allow myself two hours a night or this will be read in a single day), but the excitement is real.

If you enjoy their style and the books, read the latest, but you will need to read what came immediately prior to this book or you'll be very lost.

Kevin Anderson has done it again, a fantastic addition to the Dune universe. This novel delves into the backstory of Lady Jessica and answers questions I have had since reading the first Dune story decades ago. I enjoyed the Duke of Caladan but think this is a stronger and more cohesive story, cannot recommend it strongly enough. Fans of Dune should absolutely add this to their shelves.

“The Lady Of Caladan” is yet another sci fi masterpiece from Kevin J. Anderson & Brian Herbert set in the DUNE universe. As an avid DUNE reader & huge fan of Kevin J. Anderson I could not wait to get my hands on this book. “The Duke Of Caladan” was an incredible way to get this trilogy started, but I really felt that “The Lady Of Caladan” is the true heart of this trilogy. Lady Jessica & Duke Leto Atreides are my two favorite characters in the DUNE universe & it was fantastic to finally see Lady Jessica get her time to shine. I cannot recommend these books though (especially with the upcoming blockbuster movie DUNE finally headed our way soon). Trust me you will not be disappointed!