Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles #2) by Frank Herbert

"A darker look at the power of prescience and proof of the saying "pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."

2 Stars.

Pros: The character of Hayt was an interesting development and went through his own transformation that was suspenseful and entertainingly dramatic/Though Paul can see past, present and future, his vision isn't always 100% accurate, which makes him seem super human but also makes him flawed.

Cons: Presicient vision is confusing, so many variables, so many tenses/The characters themselves seem flat and emotionless at times.

Full Review:

Paul Atreides, Usul of the Fremen, Muad'Dib has made a promise to the people of Arrakis and he has fulfilled it. He rules the Imperium with an iron hand and his prescient vision, ability to see past, present and future, makes him a formidable ally and foe. With his sister, Alia at his side, who became "aware" while still in the womb and has all the knowledge of former Reverend Mothers in her mind, they make a frightening and powerful pair. But there are always flaws. No way of life, no rule, can ever be truly peaceful, there are always those who suffer and struggle.

And as Paul finds out, even those once loyal to him, struggle and are willing to exact a terrible price for revenge. Full of intrigue, conspiracy, plots within plots, Dune Messiah is a continuation of Paul's rise to power but it focuses more on the darker side of power and prescience. He is not infallible, he has his flaws and there are those who will do whatever it takes to exploit them.

Again, it's hard to describe the book without giving everything away but Dune Messiah was an interesting sequel to Dune. It showed the darker side of Pauls' rise to power, the traps and pitfalls he must constantly navigate as his reputation grows from ruler, to legend, to myth. And in the true fashion of the "hero's journey", there must always come a fall.

Comments

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