Dune part two packs a punch! What a way to start off my 2025…. (this was actually the first book I finished this year).
We pick up the action quite a bit later than in the first Dune book, and the Atreides legacy has been complicated by over a decade of vicious warfare and religious wars. Can Paul still hold onto power? Is his vision failing him? Can we ever really alter our future?
It’s so refreshing to have a “hero” be so overtly criticised and celebrated at the same time. Paul himself is very ambivalent about his power and critical of the messiah status he’s been given.
You still are very eager to follow his story, alongside Chani and Jessica, but things are definitely harder to stomach. Dune is a compelling description of a slightly paranoid and cynical leadership.
I really enjoyed the conspiracy angle and the partial resurrection of an old face… There’s some really memorable and emotional moments of guerrilla warfare and confrontation, plus the usual zany tech.
The book is all about tough choices, fighting premeditation, and the morality (or lack thereof) of warfare. Does the end justify the means? What is true loyalty built on?
One word: fiery.
Children of Dune is on order, stay dune-d. (Sorry 😬)
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