Dune: The Duke of Caladan
Ratings8
Average rating3.2
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. 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.
Series
Featured Series
3 primary books#1 in The Caladan Trilogy
The Caladan Trilogy is a 3-book series with 3 released primary works first released in 1978 with contributions by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
Featured Series
28 primary books30 released books#18 in Dune Universe (Chronological)
Dune Universe (Chronological) is a 30-book series with 30 released primary works first released in 1965 with contributions by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Frank Herbert.
Featured Series
24 primary books29 released books#22 in Dune Universe (Publication Order)
Dune Universe (Publication Order) is a 29-book series with 26 released primary works first released in 1965 with contributions by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson.
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A rift develops between Duke Leto and Lady Jessica when she is ordered by the Bene Gesserit to secretly limit Noble House genetic selections for a possible arranged marriage for the young Paul and Leto discovers Jessica's manipulations. The rift widens when the Bene Gesserit forces Jessica back to their home world against the express demands of Leto that Jessica should not go. Meanwhile a vendetta against Emperor Shaddam IV by a radical family member from the leadership of CHOAM wipes out many heads of the Noble Houses when a terror plot against the Emperor is carried out. Leto considers requesting the Emperor grant him other worlds to be placed under Atreides control in lieu of the power vacuum created by the terrorist event while at the same time the terrorist leader contacts Leto and asks him to join with him in overthrowing the Emperor.
It must be difficult to attempt to write additional meaningful details about anyone who is a familiar character in this well-known series - I give the writers a (very small) kudo for attempting it. Unfortunately, in my opinion, they did not come close to reaching the levels of the original series of books by Frank Herbert. The problem for me was lack of any real tension or excitement – no matter the scenario or danger being faced, one knows in advance that the characters will come through relatively unscathed, because that is how they first appeared in the original books. The purported life-threatening situations as a result just fell flat. I have read and enjoyed almost all of the authors' previous Dune books, but this was a big let-down for me. After only a few chapters, I stopped caring, and decided to go re-read the originals instead – so this is a “did not finish” for me.
