Kevin J. Anderson is a robot. Likely created by James Patterson, his writing style is that of a third grader in which events are dictated list-like:
First, mummy took me to the store.
Second, mummy bought me a treat.
Third, I ate the treat.
Last, I have a tummy ache.
I also have a tummy ache. Mine, however is cause by the angst felt on considering the damage brought by these two "authors" to the legacy of the original Dune vision.

How far has House Herbert fallen. ( )

I found this on a list of books I read and I can't even remember it. Or rather, I have a weak memory of words passing my brain without getting stuck. ( )

These books just sort of run on and on with occasional bits that fascinate me. Frank has yet to be outdone by Brian/Kevin because they do not succeed in being as mystically ecological or as dense. ( )

Getting lost in the first of the Prequel Trilogy felt a bit like coming home. Herbert and Anderson's partnered writing has improved with each novel they have co-authored, and this feels entirely reminiscent of Frank Herbert’s works. They manage to emulate his style, diction, syntax, and mannerisms throughout the novel, which follows Paulus Atreides, Leto, Shaddam, Fenring, Emperor Elrood, Mohiam, Kynes, Stilgar, Vladimir, Rabban, Abulard, Rhombar, Thufir, Duncan, and others. (Yes, for die-hard Dune fans like myself every name in the above list is significant.)
As Shaddam and Fenring work to gain the throne, Prince Leto is busy learning and training. Kynes is sent as Imperial Planetologyst to Arrakis to try to better understand spice while Vladimir gains control of Arrakis and begins skimming and stockpiling melange. Duncan Idaho is used as a hunted child in ‘games’ for the Harkonnen guards and elite on Geidi Prime until he escapes and enters the service of an impressed Duke Paulus and Leto on Caladan. While Paulus spends his time participating in the grand spectacle of bullfights and teacheing Leto to both understand and be loved by their people, the Tleilaxu and Shaddam plan the takeover of Ix as part of an attempt to create synthetic spice. Leto travels to Ix to learn from House Vernius and the Bene Gesserit discover that they are only three generations from the culmination of their most secret breeding program-- the Kwisatz Haderach.
The novel is beautifully constructed and an easy way to fall back into the Dune universe. Familiar names in an earlier time show that the politics, economics, and power plays a generation before the time of Paul Atreides are as complex and ever changing as in the later (and the Butlerian era) Dune novels and the characters and stories as compelling. ( )

I was really impressed with this book and how much it added to the Dune experience. ( )