Customer Reviews

Children Of Dune

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Children of Dune, the third book of the Dune chronicles, tells the story of the Atreides destiny after the disappearance of Muad'dib. The children of Muad'dib, Leto and Ghanima, now must take up the heavy burden left by their father. Old faces pop up, and there are many plot twists (but do we expect any less from Herbert's grand work?). The scope of this book is much broader than in Dune Messiah, which makes it a more enjoyable read. How can a series of books continue to produce, particularly under such heavy expectations? Who knows, but Children of Dune continues the rich tradition of the series

Like others I was hesitant to read "Children of Dune." "Dune Messiah" is my favorite, although it lacked the noteworthyness of "Dune", and I was worried "CoD" would repeat that mistake.
When entering into "Children of Dune" I was entering into a new generation, a new group of Atreides, and I did not know what to expect. However, I was met with unsurpassed gracefull writing, and a story that captures you from the start.
Immediatly we are thrust into the minds of the Atreides twins, Leto and Ghanima, as they discuss the complex problem of their aunt's abomination, in tongues not used for centuries. These children are exciting, complex, and breath takingly beautiful.
The sub plots of the story are just as intriguing.
The evil Winciscia has not given up her quest to regain the thrown for house Corrino, and Irulan is magnificent in even her smaller role.
Having lost two of the center characters in "Dune Messiah", Paul and Chani, I almost expected to be bored and lost. But I was met with wonderment at characters like Leto II and Ghanima, and the beautifly written return of Muad'dib as The Preacher.
"Children of Dune" takes you on an adventure as Alia falls into the depts of possession, Arrakis looses it's grip on the Spice, and Leto II finds his quest for the Golden Path.
"Children of Dune" is a deserving addition the the Dune Chronicles, and deserves a read from Dune fans.

After reading Dune and then Dune Messiah, I was a little disappointed in Messiah. It had lengthy internal dialogue and long explanations of twisted plots within plots. But Children of Dune ranks right up there with the original Dune in my book! What a great story! The twins are awesome in their mental scope and abilities; Leto II is necessarily brutal as his human-ness slips away from him (and he knows it). The sand trout, the worms fears, the destruction of Alia and her abomination within, all warped the readers mind enough to make this a VERY enjoyable read. Now it's on to God Emperor of Dune. Let's see how this goes!

Alright, there's no question in my mind that Herbert is one of the all-time masters. There are very few who give him any sort of challenge. Even if you go beyond the Dune Chronicles, to his earlier works, you see that it is obvious he is a master of the un-happy ending. I loved Children of Dune. It redeemed Messiah and lightened God Emperor. Focusing on little Leto and Ghanima gave the story a new facet and the end....oh boy. I'm not too old, but I am somewhat well-read, and these books, Children of Dune right along with them, are still among my favorites. Frank is one of my idols and it pains me to think that he will write no more.

In this third installment, the story turns to a slower moving Space Opera that spans over 400 pages. Every 5 or 10 pages, the scene changes and we see different characters usually engaged in some political plotting and scheming. Most of the book progresses in this fashion. The problem is there are no truly sympathetic characters to make this story compelling to the reader. The characters making repeat appearances (Jessica, Alia, Stilgar) seem to be either dumber or more evil than before. The Atreides twins, Leto and Ghanima, are the only characters who do much of anything interesting. Despite all that I'd still say it is better than your average dime store sci-fi novel so I gave it 3 stars. Although, to the casual reader, this may prove to be a long and arduous slog.

Reading some of the other reveiws for the Dune books, i see a repitition of comments like "it's good but it's not close to Dune" stuff. Sure Dune was good, but I think what gives it it's quality is the intricate dialouge and depth of characters. Children of Dune not ony delivers that masterfully, but I belive does it better that Dune did. After twenty pages in to the book I didn't even notice the loss of action. I became enthralled in the text, page after page of witty confrontations between Jessica and twins, Ghani's dispise of Alia, the preacher in the street, Beene Gesrit plots, Fremen rebels...the list goes on. If you enjoy a book that dosen't just keep you interested, but one that really makes you think, this is a must-read for the continuation of the Dune seris.

The Children of Dune is to me the best in Frank Herbert's first half of the Dune Chronicles. I haven't begun to read God Emperor of Dune as of yet having just purchased it, but I'm very excited and anticipate maximum enjoyment.

While all of the first three books are good, I think this one tops them because it is a climax bringing together the elements of the first two. It may have been more fitting for Paul Muad'Dib to complete the transformation which would have validated the whole Kwisatz Haderach plot, but I'm still not disappointed. Herbert is a master. What more can be said?

The Children of Dune is one of the best SF books I've ever read and I couldn't put it down. The Atreides twins were awesome. This somehow comforted my sense of loss at Paul's pitiful fate. . .

I think The Children of Dune well worth all five stars--plus!!

Be sure to read this one. If it doesn't impress you, I don't know what will.