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Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
Synopsis:
“The epic, multimillion-selling science-fiction series continues! The second Dune installment explores new developments on the planet Arrakis, with its intricate social order and strange, threatening environment
Dune Messiah picks up the story of the man known as Muad’Dib, heir to a power unimaginable, bringing to fruition an ambition of unparalleled scale: the centuries-old scheme to create a superbeing who reigns not in the heavens but among men.
But the question is: DO all paths of glory lead to the grave?” -Audible
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Opening thoughts:
I finished Dune a couple months ago and I loved it. It was pretty much a given that I would pick up the sequel to the original. Plus, Iām excited for the movie coming out in a couple weeks, and reading this will keep the story fresh in my mind.
Key notes:
- Paul and Aliyah were mentally/spiritually beyond time and space but physically lived within it
- Without melange, billions of people addicted to it would die of withdrawal
- Paulās monopoly of it and the planet of Arrakis gave him power over everyone
Chapter 1
- Princess Irilan wanted to be the mother in the Royal line, and was plotting with some others against him
- She was also secretly giving contraceptives to Chaney so she wouldnāt give Paul an heir
Chapter 2
- One who rules assumes irrevocable responsibility for the ruled
- Chaney brought up the idea of fulfilling Irilanās desire for a child
- Her being pregnant would make their enemies question her loyalty and make her less useful to them
- Chaney was looking out for Paul above her own feelings and said he needed an heir
- And since Chaney herself could not produce one, logical Fremen choice would be to have a child with Irilan
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
- They met the man who was created from Duncan Idahoās body after he died
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
- Aliyah proved she could handle a rigorous training exercise
- Paul, Aliyah and Stilgar also discussed needing to find a mate for Aliyah as she was coming of age. She also felt this desire
- The three of them discussed the looking threat of guild’s men trying to steal a worm and try to make melange on another planet
Chapter 8
- Paul referenced other emperors like Gengkis Kahn and Hitler and their achievements in people killed
- Also referenced Paulās own achievements in billions of people his empire has killed, planets and religions destroyed
Chapter 9
- Aliyah and Hate/Duncan chatted about his motives and abilities, as well as hers and what Paul should do with him
Chapter 10
- Paul and Duncan discussed his moon vision with Duncan and how those with visions usually fear it
- He also said how Paul has seen so much time that he feels he is immortalĀ
Chapter 11
- Paul bargained with the Reverend Mother to spare Chaney in exchange for his bloodline, a child with Irilan
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
- Paul, Chaney, and Duncan discussed his desire to be reverted to what he once was, which helped Chaney see him as a real man
Chapter 14
- A Fremen woman brought a message to Paul to travel and seek information about a plot against him by a group of Fremen
Chapter 15
- Paul witnessed the ceremony of worshipers coming to see Aliyah and ask her questions
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
- There was an atomic attack and Paulās eyes were damage but he still led everyone because of his vision and powers
Chapter 18
- Paul, Aliyah, and Stilgar had a formal trial for the traitor Fremen and exposed more of them based on their reactions
- Paul also proved he could see without eyes and put fear into everyone
Chapter 19
- This dwarf revealed his plot to use Duncanās brainwashing to trigger him to kill Paul at the right moment
Chapter 20
- Aliyah took a dangerous amount of spice in order to have the same visions as her brother, but thankfully Duncan got her medical treatment in time
Chapter 21
- Chaney was about to give birth. Also, Duncan discovered that he was brainwashed to do something against his will when triggered
Chapter 22
- Chaney died giving birth to twins
- Paul managed to save his children from the assassin by using a visual link with his newborn son
Chapter 23
- Paul went into the desert and people wondered if he would survive
- Irilan vowed to raise Paulās children
- Aliyah also grieved Paul dearly and yearned for Duncan to comfort her and love her
Closing thoughts:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a sequel to the first. I won’t say that it matched the level of storytelling as the first book, plus it was also a fraction of the length. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed that the author was able to continue the story and made it feel like a true continuation of Paul’s story.
I also liked the element of following Aliyah’s story as her character is just as interesting, if not more so than Paul. My only complaint is that I wish the author didn’t sexualize her as much. I get that it was to illustrate her shifting mindset from a child into a woman (though she has the inner knowledge and experience of many women before her), but it felt too forced. Also, the author didn’t do the same for Paul in the last book when he was also coming of age. I think this was just a classic case of gender sexualization.
At this point, I’m not sure if I’m going to continue reading the rest of the series. From my understanding, some of the books were written by the original author, but some weren’t. I might try picking up the third book after this one, but probably down the line.
One Takeaway / Putting into practice:
I don’t have an explicit takeaway from this book in particular. However, if I’m looking at the series so far, one of my favorite things about Paul and his family is their loyalty to each other. I think that’s one of their strengths that allows them to survive against outside forces.
Not only is their immediate family extremely loyal to each other, but the people who serve them also have undying loyalty to Paul and his family. It reinforces the maxim:
- People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care
Nutshell:
As the new emperor, Paul, along his sister Aliyah, have to deal with the impending threats to his family while trying to lead his people.
Similar books:
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer
- We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
- Enderās Game by Orson Scott Card
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Rating:
3/5
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Marlo Yonocruz 