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

by Frank Herbert (Author) "A SPOT of light appeared on the deep red rug which covered the raw rock of the cave floor..." (more)
Key Phrases: maula pistol, gom jabbar, inner desert, Bene Gesserit, Lady Jessica, House Corrino (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Last in Herbert's Dune trilogy, this ponderously realigns the surviving family of the departed (or not so departed) messiah Muad'Dib, Paul Atreides. Paul's sister Alia, one of the "pre-born" who carry the living memories of the entire Atreides ancestry back to Agamemnon, becomes possessed by the spirit of a long-dead forebear and embarks on a ruinous power game which threatens both the ecological basis of Dune's crucial spice trade and the lives of Paul's children, the nine-year-old twins Ghanima and Leto. Among the increasingly crazed intrigues of Alia and the risky intervention of Paul's mother, the twins struggle to master their perilous ancestral memories and more-than-adult mental powers. At stake are the precious ecology and ethos of Dune itself, with terrible consequences for the scattered planets of the Imperium. It's sometimes gripping, but dreadfully overwritten ("the parched glissando of moonglow") and self-important beyond description, with at least two great thoughts to a page, and sometimes three or four. Still, that's just what seems to attract the post-born true believers. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
“Ranging from palace intrigue and desert chases to religious speculation and confrontations with the supreme intelligence of the universe, there is something here for all science fiction fans.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Herbert adds enough new twists and turns to the ongoing saga that familiarity with the recurring elements brings pleasure.”
—Challenging Destiny --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ace; First Edition edition (May 15, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441104029
• ISBN-13: 978-0441104024
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 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 500 REVIEWER)

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.

12 of 13 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

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.

11 of 12 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

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.