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tinynavajo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
isabellamarg's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Dune Messiah is the second novel in the Dune series by Frank Herbert. It continues the story of Paul Atreides, who we know as Muad'Dib as well as Emperor of the universe. Paul is worshipped by the Fremen and continues to face hostility from the Great Houses whom he displaced from the throne. Amidst this unrest we learn of multiple conspiracies brewing among factions to kill Paul.
"Watching the mundane activities of everyday life filled him with profound envy."
Dune Messiah is a commentary on how power changes you as well as the lengths we are willing to go for this power and our loved ones. Paul is a complex character. His prescience and ability to see glimpses of the future is a blessing but also a curse. He cannot just be a regular person, nor can his sister Alia who was also given prescience through her birth. This is an important theme throughout the book especially towards the end when we see Paul make decisions that will impact the future of his Jihad and empire.
The beginning of this book was very slow and confusing for me with multiple new characters brought in in a very short time span. My favorite part of the book was probably the last 80 pages where everything comes to a head and we gain clarity into Paul's thought processes and actions. Without giving too much away Chani plays a large role in the path that Paul chooses to take to evade his conspirators and the ending of the novel is due in part to his fastidiousness in Fremen culture as well as his love for Chani.
"'We're here now!' she protested, fighting a dry sob. 'And...I feel we have so little...time.' 'We have eternity, beloved.' 'You may have eternity. I have only now.''But this is eternity.' He stroked her forehead."
"Watching the mundane activities of everyday life filled him with profound envy."
Dune Messiah is a commentary on how power changes you as well as the lengths we are willing to go for this power and our loved ones. Paul is a complex character. His prescience and ability to see glimpses of the future is a blessing but also a curse. He cannot just be a regular person, nor can his sister Alia who was also given prescience through her birth. This is an important theme throughout the book especially towards the end when we see Paul make decisions that will impact the future of his Jihad and empire.
The beginning of this book was very slow and confusing for me with multiple new characters brought in in a very short time span. My favorite part of the book was probably the last 80 pages where everything comes to a head and we gain clarity into Paul's thought processes and actions. Without giving too much away Chani plays a large role in the path that Paul chooses to take to evade his conspirators and the ending of the novel is due in part to his fastidiousness in Fremen culture as well as his love for Chani.
"'We're here now!' she protested, fighting a dry sob. 'And...I feel we have so little...time.' 'We have eternity, beloved.' 'You may have eternity. I have only now.''But this is eternity.' He stroked her forehead."
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Genocide
felipemrocha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jmulle10's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kclairb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sebastianletts's review
4.5
4.5 stars (minor spoilers).
I absolutely adored [b:Dune Messiah|44492285|Dune Messiah (Dune, #2)|Frank Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577043824l/44492285._SY75_.jpg|3634570]. More so than a sequel, it very much functions as an epilogue to the story, that delves into the abstract philosophical elements of Dune even more than the first. It was such an intriguing exploration of religion, especially Paul's relationship to it, particularly both through him and Alia. Korba and Stilgar have minor roles, but they still shine in showing what the consequences were of the Holy War, and showing how lost they are when comparing it to Paul's understanding of what he has done. Seeing this through his muddled, unclear visions is very intriguing, and an interesting way to understand the curse that has been bestowed upon him, as much as that curse was something he bestowed upon himself. His arc also closes here beautifully (not knowing if he has a part to play in [b:Children of Dune|44492286|Children of Dune (Dune, #3)|Frank Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564783201l/44492286._SY75_.jpg|3634573]). My only qualm with the book is that I would have loved to see Irulan further explored as an individual subjected to being a political pawn, a chess piece in a greater story. Her motives are profoundly intriguing and I would have loved to see more from her, as some of the chapters where she is present are some of the most interesting. Otherwise, this is a fantastic book that is worth reading after the first. It offers so much insight that I never expected and carries the philosophical messages of the original.
I absolutely adored [b:Dune Messiah|44492285|Dune Messiah (Dune, #2)|Frank Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577043824l/44492285._SY75_.jpg|3634570]. More so than a sequel, it very much functions as an epilogue to the story, that delves into the abstract philosophical elements of Dune even more than the first. It was such an intriguing exploration of religion, especially Paul's relationship to it, particularly both through him and Alia. Korba and Stilgar have minor roles, but they still shine in showing what the consequences were of the Holy War, and showing how lost they are when comparing it to Paul's understanding of what he has done. Seeing this through his muddled, unclear visions is very intriguing, and an interesting way to understand the curse that has been bestowed upon him, as much as that curse was something he bestowed upon himself. His arc also closes here beautifully (not knowing if he has a part to play in [b:Children of Dune|44492286|Children of Dune (Dune, #3)|Frank Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564783201l/44492286._SY75_.jpg|3634573]). My only qualm with the book is that I would have loved to see Irulan further explored as an individual subjected to being a political pawn, a chess piece in a greater story. Her motives are profoundly intriguing and I would have loved to see more from her, as some of the chapters where she is present are some of the most interesting. Otherwise, this is a fantastic book that is worth reading after the first. It offers so much insight that I never expected and carries the philosophical messages of the original.
rachele98's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thomrid's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very good addition to the story of the first novel. Definitely see why it was hated when it was released but I'm into it. Very excited for Children of Dune
davidzam92's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25