Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles, Book 2) by Frank Herbert Search Amazon for other books by or about Frank Herbert. Rating: Reviewed by: Douglas Malcolm

The second of four in the classic Dune series, Frank Herbert again proves he is a master of creating incredibly detailed, rich settings.

Paul Maud'dib is Emperor, his Fremem Naib's having conquered the Universe in his name. He rules not only as a secular leader among the Great Houses, but as a God to the people of Dune. Not unexpectedly, the older powers of the previous Empire are not happy with their reduced power, and plot against him.

The unlikely cabal determined to rid the universe of Maud'dib consists of the Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit, the Tleilaxu, The Guild, and the wife of Maud'dib himself. The Bene Gesserit were explained more fully in my review of Dune.

The Tleilaxu are the only creators of technology in the Dune universe, and constantly skirt around the prohibitive restrictions against advanced machines. They are fronted in the conspiracy by Face Dancers, genetic mules who are expert shapeshifters.

The Guildsman are the only race that can pilot starships. The ingest massive quantities of the melange spice to do so, enabling them to see just enough seconds into the future to safely steer ships through hyperspace. This stranglehold on shipping and travel lets them wield enormous influence in galactic affairs. And yet. They fear Maud'dib and his Fremen.

Although the back cover of my copy tells me that Dune Messiah is "...all that Dune was, and maybe a little more", I have to disagree. Messiah is all that Dune was, but if there's a maybe, it a little less. In my experience, the second book of any series is usually much weaker than the first. I also usually find that by the third book, an author has really found what works and what doesn't in a series, and it only gets better from there. While this is sort of true in the Dune series, it's not nearly as bad as I've come to expect from a "second". Dune was a perfect mix of political intrique and action. Dune Messaih lets the action levels slide a bit in favor of more intrique.

I loathe a predictable ending. Dune Messaih has one of the most unexpected endings I've ever read! So shocking was the conclusion, I wondered how Mr. Herbert could even continue with the series. If you liked Dune, and want more of the same, this book is for you.