Children of Dune - Sibi Books

609 pages

English language

Published 2019

ISBN:: 978-0-593-09824-0
Goodreads:: 44492286

(2 reviews)

Book three in Frank Herbert's magnificent Dune Chronicles--one of the most significant sagas in the history of literary science fiction.

The Children of Dune are twin siblings Leto and Ghanima Atreides, whose father, the Emperor Paul Muad'Dib, disappeared in the desert wastelands of Arrakis nine years ago. Like their father, the twins possess supernormal abilities--making them valuable to their manipulative aunt Alia, who rules the Empire in the name of House Atreides.

Facing treason and rebellion on two fronts, Alia's rule is not absolute. The displaced House Corrino is plotting to regain the throne while the fanatical Fremen are being provoked into open revolt by the enigmatic figure known only as The Preacher. Alia believes that by obtaining the secrets of the twins' prophetic visions, she can maintain control over her dynasty.

But Leto and Ghanima have their own plans for their visions--and their destinies...

27 editions

Pierre reviewed Children of Dune by Frank Herbert (Dune, #3)

Still lost in the Spice Trance

3 stars

I read the first three Dune books in a row.

I think the best summary of my review is that I had to read a recap of the book when I finished it as I got really lost in the plot this time. This book, as seen in the previous volume, expands on the struggle for power over the galactic empire between the main characters I didn’t get lost in the different plot points, but I was just very confused in understanding what each character was plotting for and why they were taking the actions they were taking. I couldn’t break that wall to understand the character’s psyche and in a way could not identify with them in any way. Once again, it felt to me like the main characters had very similar personalities though I can note the development of Alia and Paul/The Preacher. To me those character developments …

I read the first three Dune books in a row.

I think the best summary of my review is that I had to read a recap of the book when I finished it as I got really lost in the plot this time. This book, as seen in the previous volume, expands on the struggle for power over the galactic empire between the main characters I didn’t get lost in the different plot points, but I was just very confused in understanding what each character was plotting for and why they were taking the actions they were taking. I couldn’t break that wall to understand the character’s psyche and in a way could not identify with them in any way. Once again, it felt to me like the main characters had very similar personalities though I can note the development of Alia and Paul/The Preacher. To me those character developments came in too strong and in too stark contrast with the previous books which, once again left me at a loss of understanding them and their motives. This was particularly true when Herbert was describing Leto’s spice trance. I could feel what the character was going through, but I couldn’t understand anything else, especially what he saw in the future and why it made him change course or keep the course he had planned for himself. Him meeting with his father made Paul seem like a token character placed for fan service as I assume a lot were upset with his death at the end of the second book.

Overall, I still praise the world building by Frank Herbert and the way he expands on it but despite the depth it still felt to me like this book fell a little flat.

Delia reviewed Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) by Frank Herbert (Dune (3))

Sand trout!

4 stars

Yet another book in the series where I’m like “great world building, but super weird, dunno if I’ll read/listen to the next one”, and yet I realise now that I definitely will read the next one. It’s just surreal, and at time beautiful, and thus fairly decent escapism.