Dune Messiah

, #2

352 pages

English language

Published May 26, 2019 by Penguin Publishing Group.

ISBN:
978-0-593-09823-3
Copied ISBN!

View on OpenLibrary

(123 reviews)

The extraordinary sequel to Dune, the greatest science fiction novel of all time. Twelve years after his victory over House Harkonnen, Paul Atreides rules as emperor from the desert planet Arrakis - but his victory has had profound consequences. War has been brought to the entire known universe, and billions have already perished. Despite having become the most powerful emperor known to history, Paul is powerless to bring an end to the fighting. While former allies conspire to dethrone Paul and even his own consort acts against him, Paul accepts a gift from the Tleilaxu, a guild of genetic manipulators, hoping to find a single spark of peace and friendship amidst the betrayal and chaos. But this act undermines Pauls support from the Fremen, his own people. The Fremen are the true source of Pauls power; losing them is the one thing that could truly topple his empire. As matters …

2 editions

A whole different ride from the first book, but can take you along if you read carefully...

I admit, I LOVE the first Dune book... and it took me a couple tries to start and finish this one. The book assumes you've got the gist of the first book under your belt and then throws you into a world of intrigue. Paul is still the main character, but it's mostly about what goes on around him. He's burdened by his power and his status, and constantly beset by enemies on the fringes around the Imperium, waiting for a chance to find a blind spot and attack.

At the start, it felt a bit choppy and like I'd just been thrown into the mix with little preparation... but reading the preface again helped a bit. All the little "asides" hold meaning in Frank Herbert works, so I've learned to read them as well. As the story centers more on Arrakis, you see it slow down and get back …

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Lost in the Spice Trance

Content warning Plot Spoilers

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Ending of this suprisingly satisfying

I think something I enjoy about Herbert’s writing is that the stories don’t go where I expect them to. Being written in the 60s, I think maybe there are different acceptable story arcs. I kept waiting for things to start, I still keep expecting Paul’s hero story to happen even though I know, famously, that he was not a hero. I couldn’t, and still don’t, understand how he had kicked off a thanos level genocide and why that was inevitable, but once you accept that premise, exploring how he’s trying to extract from that was an interesting journey. Not sure yet about whether to continue with the series.

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Review of 'Dune Messiah' on 'Goodreads'

It is so satisfying yet unforeseen to see Paul Muad'dib Atreidis finally embracing the Fremen in him. It is a captivating finishing touch to an already fabulous character. The first book was so good, that I approached this one with low expectations, since you know it's always the first one that's the best in any series. Not this time though. It left me and my expectations dead in the water.


I hate Frank Herbert for evoking such emotions in me for such an authoritarian emperor, like literally, the supposed ruler of the known universe, but sad I was. There was no escaping the despair, and odd enough, I didn't want to either. I shared Paul's grief, and it gripped me hard while also making me root for the future with just the right amount of motivation.


The whole book was the precursor of a great-grandmother of a storm brewing. And …

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Let down after the first book

After the first book, this one certainly is a let down. I've been told this book is mostly a short bridge to book three, but this book has discouraged me enough to not continue for now. Herberts idea of showing the "hero" of the first book as the villain he is is great and one of the big pros of this book. I might update this review when i have more to say about the third book.

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Not a sequel so much as a semi-conclusion

Messiah is less of a sequel, and more like the fourth installment following the three-part series of its predecessor. It really doesn't—couldn't—stand on its own, just like any of the three parts in the first novel would feel unsatisfying as standalones.

The universe of Messiah feels smaller, tighter, more claustrophobic than the first. Characters that could have been much more compelling are given little development. Its world feels small, which is unfortunate, because the first book felt so massive and complex by comparison.

Still it's a fun ride, and a worthwhile companion to the first book. The story feels fall from over, though the tale of Muad'Dib may have concluded here. Other reviews mention that it's a necessary if somewhat underwhelming "bridge" to the third book, so I'm still looking forward to the next installment.

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Review of 'Dune Messiah' on 'Goodreads'

I think it's widely accepted that Dune Messiah isn't the sequel most wanted, and I concur. Dune was split into 3 parts chronicling the rise of Paul Atreides and this novel is really Part 4, rather than its own self-contained story. From that perspective, Dune Messiah is the victory lap that wraps up many of the themes that Dune set into action, and on those merits, the novel is a success and probably deserving of 4 stars.

But... Frank Herbert released this as a standalone novel, and it does not stand alone. The novel is half the length but the cast of characters is nearly as large as Dune, which means that many characters are nothing more than names. Some should be considered critical antagonists and yet they get one or two scenes at most. The arc of the novel is stunted as well, since the conspiracy that faces …

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

The series definitely keeps getting traction

I know this is a very old saga; regardless I was not expecting it to be this engaging

There are definitely a few 🚩s along the way, but those can easily be attributed to the time when the books were written

The way Paul walks between destiny/fate and desire to break the chains is very well defined.

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Review of 'Dune Messiah' on 'Storygraph'

YES. just yes. satisfying and heartwrenching all at once. herbert's vision finally made clear to those of us who couldn't really get it while reading the original. my second read was so much more satisfying than the first; previously, i'd probably give this a 4. 

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Review of 'Dune Messiah' on 'Goodreads'

This was perfectly fine. It wasn't bad, but it felt kind of light compared to the first book... Also maybe Herbert got a little too far up his own ass? I dunno. It was still a good audiobook for our return trip. We're planning on doing Book #3 on our Christmas travels (since that is the next time we expect to be on long road trips)..

reviewed Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #2)

Review of 'Dune Messiah' on 'Goodreads'

I really loved the first Dune book, so why not read another? :)
In the Intro of Dune Messiah the son of the writer already warns that this book is not like the first. It's more a bridge to get to the third book.
I happily crossed that bridge although it was a bit long and not every part of the bridge was as interesting it was still a fun crossing.


“I told him that to endure oneself may be the hardest task in the universe.”

avatar for Sainteven

rated it

avatar for kamen

rated it

avatar for Unattributed@bookrastinating.com

rated it

avatar for stefun

rated it

avatar for sergeant_cat

rated it

avatar for pulpdrew

rated it

avatar for ckochx

rated it

avatar for agd

rated it

avatar for agd

rated it

avatar for rui

rated it

avatar for meeg

rated it

avatar for kaakow

rated it

avatar for noisydeadlines

rated it

avatar for astranoir

rated it

avatar for isposdef

rated it

avatar for 5easypieces

rated it

avatar for DerekCaelin

rated it

avatar for opendoorgonorth

rated it

avatar for Fuxino

rated it

avatar for chrismartinez

rated it

avatar for Scoured8735

rated it

avatar for julienmartlet

rated it

avatar for vilhelmr

rated it

avatar for Chigaze

rated it

avatar for seanbala

rated it

avatar for derek3x

rated it

avatar for StephaneHuart

rated it

avatar for joeyh

rated it

avatar for Blerkotron

rated it

avatar for BoormanTheChauffeur

rated it

avatar for Ching-jan

rated it

avatar for perfischer

rated it

avatar for wzhkevin

rated it

avatar for Acton007

rated it

avatar for WonkoTheSane

rated it

avatar for proycon

rated it

avatar for Infergo

rated it

avatar for aronambrosiani

rated it

avatar for phox

rated it

avatar for Woordenaar

rated it

avatar for imbrandon

rated it

avatar for MollweideianMassacre

rated it

avatar for GenericHero

rated it

avatar for complexmoth

rated it

avatar for NewCountry

rated it

avatar for Way2

rated it

avatar for trillex

rated it

avatar for WarmRegards

rated it

avatar for Reggie

rated it

avatar for Jeanpuk

rated it

avatar for plramos

rated it

avatar for cwzp

rated it

avatar for CaerBannog

rated it

avatar for fatalicus

rated it

avatar for dunyol

rated it

avatar for duck

rated it

avatar for GrampaSiFiG

rated it

avatar for gregorygandy

rated it

avatar for ahalbert

rated it

avatar for BigJay

rated it

avatar for Glade

rated it

avatar for schmavery

rated it

avatar for antwan

rated it

avatar for opiea

rated it

avatar for clifhall

rated it

avatar for esrztk

rated it

avatar for bab

rated it

avatar for averageatchris

rated it

avatar for thefed

rated it

avatar for dr_semla

rated it

avatar for nixnull

rated it

avatar for justanotherrandomuser

rated it

avatar for CMGX9

rated it

avatar for Archbishop

rated it

avatar for SteelRabbit

rated it

avatar for PlaySomethingAwful

rated it

avatar for scifi_reading_crutch

rated it

avatar for yo.ian.g

rated it

avatar for bashfulpuppy

rated it

avatar for venya

rated it

avatar for ellifteria

rated it

avatar for deegpoes

rated it

avatar for Way2

rated it

avatar for niibek

rated it

avatar for Scoured8735

rated it

avatar for HorseyChobunso

rated it

avatar for Joao-Luis

rated it

avatar for GoblinReads

rated it

avatar for Vintervind

rated it

avatar for Seneca_

rated it

avatar for hyrrokkin

rated it

avatar for madklowns

rated it

avatar for jijin

rated it

avatar for acx

rated it

avatar for Lews

rated it

avatar for Booplesnoot

rated it

avatar for ablazingpiggy

rated it

avatar for Thaddeus

rated it

avatar for major_jellyfish

rated it

avatar for amanduskrantz

rated it

avatar for advy@comelibros.club

rated it

avatar for jon_bon

rated it

avatar for vile_reads

rated it

avatar for Llesca

rated it

avatar for AnnaElsecaller

rated it

avatar for Christine505

rated it

avatar for dmajorduckie

rated it

avatar for Domas

rated it

Lists