Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Format: Physical

Length: 336 pages

Personal Rating: 9/10

Thoughts:

Dune Messiah is the second book in the iconic Dune series by Frank Herbert. It is significantly shorter and much faster paced than the first book that started it all, as there is no need to really introduce most of the characters or the world. This book paints a starkly different picture of Paul Atreides. Paul is no longer seen as this young, up-and-coming force to be reckoned with, but rather he has become a religious symbol to the native residents of the planet Arrakis (also known as Dune). The book delves into what it means to be a "hero" and the kind of person that title should belong to. It is filled with more political intrigue, religious symbology, ecological commentary, and lots of action.

This series is not an easy one to get into, as the first book can be very daunting to many and even took myself multiple attempts to be able to push through. That being said, if you are able to make it through the first book, this sequel will not disappoint. It builds upon the characters even more than Herbert was able to in the first book, making you experience their emotions with them. I highly recommend this series (and this sequel) to anyone who enjoys science fiction, space operas, or fiction that provides insightful commentary on many issues still relevant to today.