Herbert and Anderson provide the second installment in their trilogy that is a prequel to Frank Herbert’s classic Dune series. Whereas many prequels fall flat, providing little new information beyond what was originally included in the novel, this Dune series continues to offer new and engaging plot lines. In addition, despite the title, the book devotes equal time to House Harkonnen and House Atreides, as well as the events unfolding on Arrakis.

The action commences several years after the events in Dune: House Atreides. Duke Leto Atreides is restless and still considering taking a wife in a strategic political alliance. His best friend, Prince Rhombur, and Romhbur’s sister Kailea, are still living in castle Atreides. As an outcast from a once-noble house that went renegade, Rhombur wishes to regain the glory that his family lost in the fall of Ix, but cannot fathom how to achieve his goals. Kailea desperately wishes to be Leto’s wife (and Leto fancies her), but since her house has been disgraced, Leto would never consider such a marriage. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen continues to deteriorate from the mysterious wasting malady he acquired. However, this does not stop him from attempting to lay subtle traps for House Atreides nor does it deter him from seeking vengeance against the Bene Gesserit witches who infected him. Rabban, the baron’s nephew, continues his terroristic actions in support of the House Harkonnen, clearly demonstrating how he earned his nickname "Beast." Pardot Kynes, the royal planetologist assigned to research Dune, continues his quest for its secrets, now aided by his son Liet who has been raised exclusively as a Freman.

As in the previous volume, extremely short chapters (average 5 pages) are employed to propel the various plot lines along. This format works well as the chapters bounce around between the various stories, but can become frustrating at times. I often found myself paging ahead to find the next chapter that supported a particular plot because I wanted more information immediately! Nevertheless, all of the plot threads are fascinating and provide many additional details and characters that were not included in the original Dune series. I literally could not put this book down! Although it is 600 pages, it reads like a 250-page book.

One of the most interesting characters is Abulurd, the half brother of Baron Harkonnen. He is the exact opposite of his son Rabban since he is kind, considerate and concerned with his homeworld’s population, as opposed to being focused on ways to rape the planet for its riches. Duncan Idaho’s training at the Ginaz Swordmaster School and the exploits of Gurney Hallack’s resistance and escape from Harkonnen enslavement provide interesting insight into the crucibles which forged these two formidable warriors.

I cannot say that this work is superior to the original Dune novel (which would of course border on sacrilege). However, it certainly gives Frank Herbert’s work a run for its money. Run; do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and snap up this volume. Dune fans and non-fans alike should find this enjoyable.

As well as being the best selling science fiction novel of all time, Dune is arguably the best science fiction novel ever written. Certainly, the planet Dune is the most fascinating planet I’ve ever seen created in a science fiction novel.

Set 8,000 years in the future, Dune tells the story of the planet Arrakis (known as Dune to its inhabitants). Arrakis is unique in the known universe. It is a planet covered by vast desert terrain and is one of the harshest environments ever encountered by man. Strange creatures inhabit the desert, the most unique being the giant sandworms that live beneath the sand and viciously guard the deposits of Melange on the planet’s surface. Melange is a spice, found only on Arrakis, that has many special properties. Extremely addictive, it prolongs the life of those who consume it regularly. It is also used by navigators of the spacing guild to allow them to "see the future" and thereby plot a safe passage through "foldspace" to enable huge starships to traverse the heavens. Without Melange, the galaxy would have no space travel and would fall back into a barbaric existence.

The Emperor Shaddam IV rules the Galactic Empire. Controlling an empire of one million inhabited worlds, Shaddam must keep peace between the Great Houses (ruling families) of the galaxy. The currency of the empire is Melange since it is so vital to space travel. Shaddam has allowed the Harkonnens (one of the Great Houses) to rule over Arrakis for the past 80 years. Their only mission has been to ensure a steady flow of Melange to the Empire and the spacing guild. Without the spice, the Empire would surely crumble as space travel ground to a halt and millions of people addicted to Melange died.

A secretive society of women called the Bene Gesserit, also use Melange to allow their "reverend mothers" to see into the future. However, only females have been able to use the Melange to achieve this forecasting ability. For some reason, there are pieces of the future that women are unable to look into. Therefore, the Bene Gesserit have spent centuries working on a genetic breeding program whose aim is to produce the " Kwisatz Haderach". The Kwisatz Haderach (or messiah) would be a male Bene Gesserit whose mental powers would be able to bridge space and time and avoid the limitations suffered by the female Bene Gesserit.

As the story begins, control of Arrakis is being handed over to House Atreides, the bitter enemies of the Harkonnens. Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto Atreides, is supposed to be one generation removed from the Kwisatz Haderach. However, his mother Jessica (a Bene Gesserit) has hopes for him to become the long sought after messiah. But first, House Atreides must fend off the evil machinations of the Harkonnens and enlist the help of the mysterious Fremen (native inhabitants of Dune). Failure to do so will certainly result in the ultimate destruction of House Atreides.

Herbert’s story is very engaging. He plumbs the depths of political intrigue in a society that while advanced, manages to get along quite well without computers. The infighting amongst the Emperor and the Great Houses is reminiscent of medieval Europe and makes for a very interesting plot. However, the most fascinating parts of the book revolve around the ecology of the planet Arrakis and the struggles of the Fremen to exist in such a harsh environment. As you would expect, moisture is very precious on a desert planet and Herbert was very inventive in the devices and behaviors he created for the Fremen to conserve the body’s precious water. I’ve read this book at least four times and I enjoy it more each time I read it.

Herbert wrote five sequels to Dune. Alas, they are all seriously inferior to the original novel. But nevertheless, Dune is a must read for all science fiction fans.

Taking place about 12 years after the action in Dune, Paul Atreides is now Emperor of the galaxy, ruling from his palace on Arrakis. Legions of Fremen followers revere him as a deity and have led a bloody religious jihad across the universe to spread his philosophy to the "unbelievers". This has resulted in millions of deaths and the complete obliteration of several planets. Dune Messiah chronicles the attempts of the Bene Gesserit, the Spacing Guild and Emperor Shaddam’s daughter (now wife of Paul Atreides) to bring about Paul’s downfall.

Most of the novel is just silly philosophizing around a muddy plot. Herbert fails to make clear the reasons for the actions that the characters take. Most of the scenes with Paul revolve around him brooding about taking steps to avoid a future timeline that will supposedly bring about the downfall of the galaxy. Unfortunately, Herbert never clearly articulates this peril or makes it seem tangible enough for the reader to care about it. The book lacks the charm of the original as well as the action sequences and any decent political intrigue.

Unless you are a die-hard Dune fanatic, don’t waste your time with this inferior novel.