Children of Dune

So far, Dune is my favorite of Herbert’s books, but this book is a close second. I appreciate the pacing and plot of this one more than Messiah. I also appreciate that I’ve been able to experience such amazing writing in paperbacks with attractive covers. There are some beautiful versions of these books, but outside of Dune, I don’t expect to read and reread the whole series every year. That means that I don’t need durability as much as I would for things I read over and over again. Or maybe I will read it over and over again - I really did enjoy it after all.

“Power attracts the psychotics. Always. That’s what we have to avoid within ourselves.”

In this one we get another time jump and the twins are now nine although in reality they seem much older. I think it was often hard to forget that they were only nine until someone referred to them as a child. Once you read this one I think Dune Messiah makes more sense and can be appreciated just a little bit more. In this one we start to see just how far Paul's religion has failed and how complacent the Fremen are starting to become. The twins have come up with a rather intense plan that I have to admit I didn't understand at all until the very end when it was explained but holy cow. Alia's storyline in this one was interesting I think just because we got to see a bit of what could happen to those who are preborn like the twins.

The Preacher was an interesting addition in this story because he went against all of the things that Paul taught. He didn't feel like a super important character for most of the story though in my opinion at least not until the end. We get Lady Jessica back in the story as an active participant this time. She seems to be back to her Bene Gesserit roots in this one and she returns to Arrakis! We also get some new House Corrino members who are wanting the throne back. We also get some old favorites who seem to be a bit different which connects to all the various changes happening around them.

I think I really loved how much this one felt like Dune with all the political scheming. I mean like every single character is working some angle. I loved how much we weren't told until the end. I also enjoyed all the plots within plots. We had spies and double agents. I honestly think this one was really engaging. I wish the twins were older characters just because they act older and sometimes it confuses me. I loved that we start to see how a religion can begin to unravel so easily once it's in the wrong hands. I mean without Paul around things have gone so far to the extreme and the Fremen have become so different.

The twins have a plot to fix things and I wasn't expecting it to be honest. However, it does make perfect sense once it begins to be explained. I loved seeing just how different Ghani and Leto became as they encountered different journeys in this book. I look forward to seeing how the scheming plays out in the next book. I love that this series has consumed me so completely when it's not something I would normally read. It's been a wild ride and honestly it's an amazing story if you are willing to let yourself get immersed in the characters and the world. It can at times be a bit overwhelming and confusing but it always becomes clear in the end.