'House Atreides' began the thrilling saga of the blood feud between House Atreides and House Harkonnen: the background to Frank Herbert's magnificent science fiction epic 'Dune'. Now the story continues as more of the heroes of 'Dune' take their places in the intrigues, the wars and the treacheries that will lead inevitably to the fall of a dynasty.
Duke Leto Atreides is now the skilful and much-loved ruler of Caladan, where two of his most loyal warriors have come to manhood. Duncan Idaho trains to become House Atreides' new Swordmaster. And Gurney Halleck, tortured slave of the Harkonnens, begins the ordeal of loss and pain that will eventually bring him to Duke Leto's side. Leto's heart is at war with his duty, for he must marry for politics and power, not love - despite the charms of Princess Kailea of the fallen House of Ix and Jessica, the exquisite, perfectly trained concubine chosen by the Bene Gesserit to be the mother of Leto's daughter.
At House Harkonnen, arch enemy of House Atreides, Baron Vladimir is slowly being consumed by a loathsome disease. His nephew and heir, Rabban, prepares to take over the Harkonnen empire. At the same time gentle, helpless Abulurd strives to undo his half-brother's cruelty and his own son's viciousness.
On Dune - planet Arrakis - House Harkonnen ruthlessly harvests the precious, mind-enhancing spice, melange. Planetologist Pardot Kynes' twelve year old son Liet is already a Fremen warrior: learning first-hand of the savage injustices the Harkonnens inflict on his desert people and planning for the day the Fremen will defeat them.
