“If you need something to worship, then worship life – all life, every last crawling bit of it! We’re all in this beauty together!”

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert is second part of six-part Dune. Paul Atreides becomes emporer and also accepts the role of Messiah to the Fremen. He is the most powerful ruler and also has prescient vision.

A lot happens in Paul’s life and in lives of those around him. Paul, Cheni and Irulan in a triangle of sorts where Paul and Irulan are married but Paul is with Cheni. Alia, Paul’s sister has also inherited her mother’s skills and possesses the full powers of an adult Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother. All through the book, it is clear that every decision, every step has a far reaching repercussion and some events can alter the course of the universe.

Frank Herbert has continued the story some 12 years after the events of Dune. Paul is a Messiah and a ruthless Emporer. There are many conspiracies, manipulations and politics at its peak. With spice Melange at its core, the world of Dune is still controlled by something far more bigger than people can fathom, greed. Caught in a conspiracy, Paul loses his eyesight but his prescient visions are so vivid that he is able to walk and behave completely normal.

What I didn’t like about the book:
Paul Muad’dib had vision, he knew the conspiracy and those who were against him. Then why did he not do anything about it? He could have altered the course of any event. But he chooses not to. If I had the power of prescient vision, I would have made all the right decisions, never let anyone plot against me. Also, it gets a little convoluted with all the explanations and the ending is hurried. A few more pages of climax wouldn’t have hurt anybody.

What I liked about the book:
It’s a world of myriad characters and everyone has a purpose. No character exists without meaning. The pace is good and the story will hold your interest as events unfold. The story is almost as good as Dune and certainly creates enough interest for the third part.

My rating: 4.3/5