Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) [Paperback]

Frank Herbert (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ace Books (July 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441104118
• ISBN-13: 978-0441104116
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,489,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Herbert (1920-86) was born in Tacoma, Washington and worked as a reporter and later editor of a number of West Coast newspapers before becoming a full-time writer. His first sf story was published in 1952 but he achieved fame more than ten years later with the publication in Analog of Dune World and The Prophet of Dune that were amalgamated in the novel Dune in 1965.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good conclusion to the original trilogy, February 24, 2003

By 

mrliteral - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Children of Dune is the third book in the Dune series. Although there are six books total, the first three form a trilogy, essentially the biography of Paul Atreides and his family (the other books take place much later). Dune, the first book, is a definite classic in science fiction, while Dune Messiah is a weaker yet still good sequel. Children of Dune fits somewhere between the two in quality.

As the book opens, Paul is believed to be dead, a martyr last seen nine years earlier. The political and religious empire he had created is prospering under his sister, Alia, who is acting as regent until Paul's twin children come of age. With indications of decadence already appearing, a mysterious Preacher is speaking out against the failings of this empire, and there are those who believe that this Preacher may be Paul.

One of the reasons that this book is stronger than the second book is the return of Lady Jessica, absent since the end of the first book. With her daughter Alia seeming possessed by the spirit of Baron Harkonnen (one of the great villains of sci-fi), Jessica becomes entangled in plots that could be fatal to her and her grandchildren. The twins themselves, intellectually far older than their physical ages and gifted with inherited talents, are hardly helpless in all this intriguing.

If you have enjoyed the first two Dune books, this is a must read, as it brings many plot lines to a close even as it opens new possibilities for future books. As in real life, Herbert understands that historical (even future historical) events rarely wrap up neatly, and a conclusion is merely a beginning of a different phase of history. This adds to the richness of this book and makes this series one of the landmarks of the genre.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking Dune to a higher level, December 14, 2000

By 

"hawk1138" (U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to admit that I enjoyed Children of Dune more than I thought I would. Dune and Dune Messiah were both masterpieces, but the chains of events Paul Muad'Dib set into motion seemed to be winding down by the end of Messiah. I'm happy to say that Children proved me wrong. Much of the book spends time fully fleshing out it's characters, letting us get deep into the heads of Jessica, Alia, Duncan Idaho, Farad'n, and of course the twins Leto II and Ghanima. The additional appearance of a Fremen preacher who seems as though he could be Paul Muad'Dib yet preaches against the ideas of Muad'Dib's followers keeps the direction of the book from becoming predictable. The rest opens up new possibilities that hint at a much grander future of possibilities.

The twins use a plot against them by the Imperial family as a device to start down the true path they feel Dune messiahs should take. This is a path which their father knew, but didn't have the courage to walk down. This "Golden Path" is an extraordinary journey that promises brilliant and awesome possibilities to really pep up the Dune series and take it to a higher level. You'll have to read Leto's beginning down that path to truly get the full picture; I won't spoil it here. Old worlds are examined and new worlds begin in Children of Dune. Experience them for yourself.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two adorable kids with powerful minds. Imagine it., June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading God Emperor of Dune, I am quite glad to readandlearn more about the Dune universe created by Frank Herberthimself. One of the most recent Dune novel I've read is Children of Dune which tells the story of Paul's royal twins, Leto and Ghanima. Both of them have supernatural powers like their father's but one of them is destined to change the history of the universe forever, attempting to save the sandworms from extinction as well as the lost of his humanity. Like other Dune novels, Children of Dune is simply brilliant, packed with politics, religions and a few action sequences. Some of the memorable characters make their appearance as well like Duncan Idaho and Lady Jessica. However, the only catch is that it's too wordy at times. Some people think that it's also too prophetic due to its complexity but readers will later learn that Children of Dune is remarkably beautiful and enchanting. As a conclusion, Children of Dune is one of the greatest achievements ever made by Frank Herbert.