The Barnes & Noble Review
Dune Messiah, the second book in the Dune saga, is a dramatic departure from its Hugo and Nebula Award–winning predecessor. The action and adventure in the first novel are replaced by a sort of internalized drama -- Paul Atreides (the messiah Muad'Dib) is the most powerful human in the known universe. He alone controls the spice melange, "the ultimate coin of the realm." Without spice, the Guild Steersmen can't navigate space; the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood's Reverend Mothers lose their powers. Without spice, billions of Imperial citizens could die from withdrawal.
One would expect an assortment of forces to conspire to take control of Atreides' immense power. Among those plotting to destroy him are the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, who are trying to create a royal offspring that they can control; the Guild, who are trying to steal a sandworm to start the spice cycle on another planet; and the Bene Tleilax, who have brought back Paul's weapons master, Duncan Idaho, from the dead by creating a ghola out of his flesh.
While Dune Messiah may not have received the critical acclaim that Dune did, it is just as masterfully written. In fact, once I finished the third book in the series, Children of Dune, I had a newfound respect for Dune Messiah. All the (small) concerns I had about unusual character developments and strange plot twists were all answered quite satisfactorily. Paul Goat Allen
Publishers Weekly
In 1965 Frank Herbert published Dune. After it was heralded as a masterpiece of science fiction, he wrote the briefer Dune Messiahin 1969, concentrating eponymously on Paul Atreides, and then, sensing the sales potential, added sequels. They were continued by his son, culminating in the just published finale, Sandworms of Dune. Now, 38 years after its publication, four narrators capture Dune Messiahon discs, while listeners, with no glossary, try to recall the meaning of its esoteric nomenclature. The audio gets off to a lively start as the book opens with nearly all conversation, playing up the camaraderie between the narrators who have partnered on several other readings of classic sci-fi novels. While the cast works well together, some of the male narrators emphasize a stately dullness. Kellgren, the sole feminine voice, supplies real emotion and a true sense of awe. (Oct.)
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From the Publisher
Unique...I know nothing comparable to it except Lord of the Rings.” —Arthur C. Clarke on Dune
“One of the monuments of modern science fiction.” —Chicago Tribune on Dune
“Powerful, convincing, and most ingenious.” —Robert A. Heinlein on Dune
“A portrayal of an alien society more complete and deeply detailed than any other author in the field has managed...a story absorbing equally for its action and philosophical vistas...An astonishing science fiction phenomenon.” —The Washington Post on Dune
