Children of Dune - REVIEW

[@honscha]

*Spoilers for Children of Dune* I understand you didn't talk about it but I just wanna say that Alia might have been one of the most tragic characters I've ever read and the revelation of what is wrong with her in this book left me astonished. Being considered by all to be a aberration, including by her mother who left her, and altough having the prescience just like Paul she always lived in his shadows. This book shows how the whole empire falls on her shoulder after Paul leaves and it just BREAKS her, making her susceptible to being taking over by the Baron in her mind and in her last momments she makes what is to be believed her actual last act of self control and kills herself, taking control over her life again by ending it on her on terms and not Leto's, her mother's or the Baron's.

[@mariar3767]

I felt so sorry for her. She was not even born when her mother forced the memories of an long line of women on her mind .

[@QuestingWithPulsar]

This ^^ totally agree

[@JohnSmith-lm9gr]

she was one of if not my favorite character... until she fell

[@waynetrout4921]

It took me a few re-reads for how much of a tragedy this truly was. Alia was never really her own person. She always lived in Paul's shadow. In universe, Paul had trouble seeing others with prescience. It's why Fenring could have assassinated him at the end of the first book. Others with prescience create a blind spot. After Paul walks into the desert, Alia thinks she's free. But Paul is still on Dune. His presence, prescience, and the degree to which he is involved with the events of this book, all serve to blind Alia's vision. It drives her to consume more and more spice, which opens her up to possession. All the while, she doesn't know her brother is alive. She tries so hard to be what the empire needs, but can't. Paul's presence in her future blocks her prescience completely and she never gets a chance to find out what she could be outside of Paul's shadow until it's already to late.

[@mariar3767]

@@waynetrout4921 She never had a chance to be her own person . The sisters were not only adults but trained for years before doing the procedure but she was forced into it when her brain was still developing . She was never alone in her head . Her entire family throw her under the bus . At the end of the day Paul was such a coward. Leaving his sister, children to deal with the mess . The most coward in the family in my opinion.

[@ladyhoratia1709]

i agree with your sentiments and thoughts. the dune series is definitely a series that seems to change with every book and that's so great

[@ironmonkey1512]

kind of goes off the rails the last few books

[@TachoSJ]

I just finished Children of Dune about an hour ago. I’m still trying to process what I read. The whole time I’m thinking, “what’s happening to this family?”, but I felt like I needed to keep going forward. I completely agree with you when you talk about how coldly the decisions are made. Herbert’s writing style is so different than what I normally read

[@kaybrown1056]

My favorite thing about this review was having already read God Emperor and chuckling at all the little guesses. God Emperor is going to throw you for a loop, and I am genuinely interested in your opinions on Leto II and his character progression.

[@pettersonystrawman9291]

Exactly what I was thinking. I can't wait for that review.

[@Magali_theRecordKeeper]

Same.

[@danieldavis3713]

God Emperor was my favorite of the series and I can't really explain why, it just is. I felt similar as Daniel and every book that I read, I was content to let that be the end of the story. But God Emperor was so good and different that I knew already that I would read anything else that Frank Herbert wrote. It was not a mistake to have continued reading haha

[@dustinneely]

I just finished CoD. I have GEoD but I am going to let to let it sit for awhile before I start reading it. CoD's ending was insane.

[@rifway22]

"There's not a family in fantasy that puts up with more shit than the Atreides". Hurin's family says hi.

[@umanuu]

dude fr

[@daneg]

I think a better analogy for the lack of "good guys" in the Dune universe is that it's something like Sophocles' tragic world, exemplified by Oedipus but deeply woven throughout his surviving plays. Paul is a shining example of Oedipus in that he personifies human achievement (partially constructed to be so by the Bene Gesserit breeding program). He represents the "ideal human" or the idealized human (dare I say "hero"?). And that's the rub. In Oedipus Tyrannos, the hero is constrained by fate, but his situation has been extrapolated (appropriated?) be existential philosophy and in that light, Paul is an extension of this existential "hero." However great their powers and good (in an existential world where "good" is not an absolute), they find themselves thrust into positions and "choices" that serve only to ensnare or trap them. There is no "right choice" for Paul to make, all the way back to the moment he and Jessica chose to flee and strive to live. There is no way to divest himself of the power structures he has created (and at the same time created him). Now he's the emperor of the known galaxy(?), and his mother is a traumatize wreck (substitute that for Oedipus' "crime" with his mother). He cannot save his wife Chaney, but to deny her the one thing she most wants (children). What's interesting is that Paul "won" in Messiah by losing his sight (literally and the oracular sight). He broke away from the chains that bound him to his throne. All it cost him was everyone he loved. Oedipus, meanwhile, is likewise blinded and wandering alone in banishment. The reality, institutions, power structures, etc. that constituted his world proved to be illusory. All of the "good" Oedipus did turned out to be something very different from what he thought it was. Sightless, he no longer acts with the bold confidence of a "good man" bolstered by his confidence is power structures and truths that only "seemed" absolute. Both Messiah figures, saviors of their respective peoples (Thebans, Fremen) are exposed as products human delusion. Gawd, I love this stuff.

[@marspl]

Frank Herbert was a great historian and scholar of culture, myth and history of the likes. He is quoted in Dune talking about understanding the myth a man participates in. I think he tried to incorporate these themes plus much more in these books and it makes an epic to the level of the odyssey.

[@octavioortiz679]

God emperor of Dune is just a masterpiece definitely continue

[@seferen_gaming]

lol. GEoD is just bunch of phylosophycal talks. Worst in series.

[@merrittanimation7721]

I don’t mind it being philosophical but I don’t like it politically. Or it’s attitude towards sex (like the line where a character orgasms at at the sight of another rock climbing)

[@mariar3767]

@@seferen_gaming I liked more than the first 2 books 😅 .

[@seferen_gaming]

@@mariar3767 I mean it’s not trash book and I enjoy it. But if digg little more. Its not really awesome. But I feel like it’s needed book for Leto 2 arc. Like 1-2 Paul books, 3-4 Leto.

[@julianuga]

Agreed

[@craniusdominus8234]

I'll tell you what I tell everyone else who ever mentioned to me they started reading Dune. And that is: Don't even try to guess where the next Dune book is going just based on the one you've just finished. Whatever you're thinking, ol' Frank will surprise you.

[@nagamata]

I agree that the series matures as it progresses, which is crazy, considering it’s severity right out of the gate with book 1; Children definitely broadened my view of what sci-fic could be, and into God Emperor?… sheeit man, by the time book 4 rolls by, I’m thinking: if Herbert was born 2500 years ago, today we’d have both a Homer, AND a Herbert LOL

[@edwinalvarez3783]

Truth!

[@marspl]

True he is a epic myth creator in that regard

[@Kesedrith]

"God Emperor" is my favorite of the series. I'm told I'm odd for that. In any even, "Children" is a definite, solid second, so I'm glad to hear you're going to keep reading through at least "God Emperor". (At least it sounds that way.) I've always viewed "Children", though as "the chickens coming home to roost." Because Paul wasn't strong enough to make the tough choices, to do what he could see was needed to secure the future of the human race, the price came due on his sister and children. It's a lot more complex than that, but I think that still covers things.

[@kyledavy4546]

I absolutely agree. I think God Emperor is what solidifies what this series is and what it's about because, in a sense, the main character is "the human race". And Leto with his prescience and racial memory is kind of the embodiment of the human race; it's past, present and future. That's why I love Dune and why I love God Emperor in particular, because it's not about individual characters, it's about us as a species. Okay...maybe it's a little bit about Duncan.

[@ghekj]

Nah. God Emperor is the best when considering the overall themes of the Dune universe.

[@WillhelmLiebniz]

I love them all but God Emperor was not my favorite but I respect the hell outta anyone who loves it. It just didn't have enough happening (plot) for me. I thought Leto became a big annoying with his talking and I never connected with Siona. It does have some of the best quotes and lines though.

[@adambritton9621]

Dune is what brought me back to reading a couple of years ago, and is how I first found your channel! I'm glad you got around to reading more of the series and am especially glad you've been enjoying the sequels! Can't wait to see what you think of God Emperor. Keep up the good work man! BTW you should check out Rendezvous with Rama if you haven't yet, It's awesome and apparently is going to be Denis' next film after his Dune stuff!

[@KRAE444]

Same!

[@lsdeann_3293]

I read Garden of Rama and hated it.

[@adamthies1627]

This entire series is honestly a masterpiece. I needed a book to read for school, and had seen the movie not to long before so I figured I'd try and read it. At first the language and the way of words had me stuck and it took me some time to begin to understand it, but once I did I was hooked. I've been reading these books non-stop since, and its amazing to find out how much enthusiasm is behind the community these books have created. I am extremely excited to read the last three, and being able to share my excitement with everyone over a book series has got to be one of the best feelings ever. The way the book causes introspective thought is probably my favorite part, and I think its easy to say that you can learn a lot about life from just reading this amazing story. So glad I still have new Dune material left to read, and I am already dreading the sadness I will feel once I finish the series.

[@jor3122]

don't cry because it's over so on and so forth, Frank Herbert left behind some utterly incredible writing that I think gives the reader some fantastic skills for analysing the world around us. my partner and I read the first couple in the series last year, we're still going, but the concepts and ideas about societies throughout the past, even into the future, he's laid out already have been, frankly (pun unintended), life changing. there's a reason everyone who reads dune becomes that person asking everyone if they've read dune hahaha.

[@staciesbookcase]

I'm so glad you are continuing the series. I didn't connect with Dune, books 1 & 2, as much as I connected with the later books in the series, so I love when people decide to keep going! I'm curious to hear what you think about the next one.

[@Sparkball]

Children of Dune’s last few chapters have been some of my favorites in the entire series, but the book is a bit inconsistent, however, Alia is absolute God Tier. Arguably one of my favorite characters ever(I’ve only read Dune, Messiah and Children)

[@msj7872]

I think Frank Herbert's greatest gift as an author was his ability to put us in the heads of his characters, in their voice. I know who Paul is. I know who Jessica is. And, he created a pretty amazing universe as the backdrop for his characters.

[@diehard7517]

The characterisation was one of the main reasons i wasn't able to enjoy the original Dune. Characters just seemed to be either one-dimensional (especially Baron Harkonnen) or very bland. The only interesting thing about Paul is his place in the story and what he represents but i couldn't care less about him as a person.

[@msj7872]

@@diehard7517 I'll concur with you on the baron. Cartoony.

[@diehard7517]

@@msj7872 yeah, it's like being a murderer and a hedonist wasn't enough, Herbert also had to make him a rapist, pedophile and be attracted to his own nephew.

[@PeloquinDavid]

Great set of reviews. I've always thought you couldn't get the full tragic character arc of Paul Atreides without getting through "Children of Dune". If "Messiah" showed us the tragedy of Paul's feet of clay after having caused much evil through something resembling good intentions, "Children" fully reveals him as having also lacked the courage to himself do his duty in following the (necessary but horrendous) "Golden Path" that he himself saw - and instead passing that burden on to the next generation. With something of a reconciliation with his son near the end, there's something that in other stories might have been depicted as resigned acceptance and a kind of redemption, but here can only be taken as an even further abasement of the reader's opinion of Paul's character. Truly a modern Greek tragedy worthy of its predecessor(s) from Greek mythology - where the Atreides' literal namesakes (the descendents of Atreus) really do suffer under a multi-generational curse of the gods.

[@danthemanwithaplan]

Glad to see you're liking these books! I can't wait to see what you think of book 4! This series gets truly weirder and weirder with each book!

[@jonathancooper4914]

I’m approaching the end of God-Emperor now.

[@Egei]

I'm so excited to see your thoughts on God Emperor of Dune, when you get there. I had many similar thoughts about just ending the series with Messiah, but continued on and God Emperor became my favorite book in the series.

[@dustinneely]

Lady Jessica is the real villain of the Dune universe. It's all her fault.

[@mirceapintelie361]

women should just do what they are told😌a girl woman ..you needed to produce a girl😄

[@marspl]

True and it's all because she chose love over duty. I don't think their is a finality in how the audience is supposed to take this though. Like most of Dune it is up to the readers to decide what's in between the lines. Could give a 30 minute talk on your first sentence and my first sentence response to it haha

[@justthinkingoutloud2538]

Just finished Messiah, and I didn’t want to go further for the exact reason you didn’t, but you’ve convinced me to read further... at some point. I still think I’ll stop now to read some other stuff, and maybe even go back and start again from the beginning when I dive back in, since there are so many layers to Herbert’s masterpiece to dig through.

[@pettersonystrawman9291]

I myself am 4 books in, and right now I'm totally like "ok, I'm good for half a year to a year". The books are monstrous undertaking to digest and if you ever go beyond the second, not only is taking breaks in between nothing to be ashamed of, but also I can only recommend it.

[@wadejohnston4305]

This is where Dune became something "beyond" just a Sci fi series for me. And I think Herbert is at the top of his game here.

[@mariar3767]

I love how the more the story progres in later books Atreides become more and more rebel . They always have been the wild cards that changed the game and shape humanity destiny but we get more wild descendants in later books 😊 . Honestly I highly recommend all books . They are delicious

[@TrueYellowDart]

Just now marked the vid for Watch Later, all I can say for now is: Get ready for God-Emperor. It is a wholly different beast from all previous Dune books. It’s grown on me over the years, but the first go was rough (in my late teens).

[@austingreen1274]

Excellent review! Just finished the book. Loved it. 8/10 is totally fair. It’s definitely got some of my favorite parts in the whole first trilogy. Loved the Preacher. It’ll be hard without him, but his son is Superman so he’s pretty compelling haha.

[@atridas6086]

I love how I was able to predict what this review whould be more or less after listening your "I don't think I should continue this saga after book 2" xD Now to wait for the God Emperor review. I need to see your reaction to that unit of a book.

[@LordJazzly]

Oh wait, he's only reading through these all now? I can't wait to see... *sigh* you know it's a great series when you can't even _allude_ to the spoiler-y things without spoiling them on some level. They are so good. I'm - I think I had a stroke of luck when reading the books when I was younger; I'd bought the first one because 'giant worms seem cool', and then found Children, [edit: this one exists, doesn't it] Heretics and Chapter House in libraries; had to go back from Chapter House to read God Emperor, but getting to see that part of the story early on meant that the last two books became basically my favourites. What is there to say about them without spoling everything? Hrm - well, put it this way, Herbert had not come _close_ to running out of tricks to pull with the story, nor observations to make about people, by the end of book 3. The last two are great, and worth reading; they add to the books that came before in a lot of ways, without detracting from the ability of those earlier books to form a self-contained narrative. I _could_ talk for a very long time about those last [edit] three books. But I won't, because it's much better just to read them and see for yourself the range the guy managed to squeeze out of this one series. Edit: Though apparently I didn't love them _enough_ to remember that Heretics and Chapter House are in fact two separate books; probably because I read both back-to-back. So the last _three_ books are all worth reading.

[@MrBenfranz]

For me, the story really takes off once Leto II experiences the vision of the Golden path, and hermetically seals himself with his destiny.

[@Thevitamindealer]

Goddamn I love your dune videos man, the series is so unique especially for it’s time, so atmospheric and purposeful.

[@Questionthis1]

9:41 SPOILER ALERT: As someone who didn’t have it spoiled, the “is it / isn’t it” thing - i think meant to be very clear that it is him from the beginning, I always knew for certain that it was him. I think it was meant to be situational irony where we know but the characters dont, and that gives those of us who are invested in Paul as the main character reason to read on and care about the other characters and what’s happening outside of him because we want to see how they will react to him when they find out. I don’t think it was ever a mystery for the readers, in fact Herbert pretty much gives it away as soon as he introduces the preacher. He’s missing his eyes (not just blind), he acts as if he can see, he uses voice, he wears an older still suit, and everyone who sees him says he looks like Paul.

[@boxerjeep]

The wheel weaves as the wheel wills… there is no free will here similar to WoT

[@jameswitts3793]

Really enjoyed your review Daniel I’ve read the Dune series twice through and I’ve not heard Paul be called a failed Prophet before, I imagined Paul saw his saviour story as including not only himself but his son too... and other Atredies Get ready for God Emperor Of Dune!

[@deathless_freak]

Loving the dune reviews

[@the_milkgod9134]

I’m really enjoying seeing you review the books in the rest of the series, please keep at it

[@themooseyoyos]

I've been slowly going through this book for like 6 months and I just happened to finish it the day before this review came out lool

[@sludgeman]

God Emperor of Dune is my favorite. Not many have been able to move past that one. Can’t wait to see your review 🤯

[@aerynmusick4548]

Ooooh are you going to do the later books too? GEOD is great for a sense of scope but is basically just a giant monologue from Leto II. Frank’s last two books are endlessly fun though. Miles Teg is just a fantastic character and so much fun to read.

[@HandofOmega]

Miles kicks ass, even moreso as a kid than as an old man!

[@HighdesertOgre]

Chairdogs

[@HandofOmega]

@@HighdesertOgre Wonder what Daniel will make of the Honored Matres and Futars? Esp as the concluding duology is more Space Operatic, with spaceships going around casually blowing up planets like it's Babylon 5...

[@Ellthom]

I am gonna need to start reading dune. Its never been a franchise that's really grabbed me when I was younger but I do feel maybe now I might like it more the more I hear about it

[@mariar3767]

For me it got so much better once we move pass Paul 😅 . Leto was so interesting and all the other Atreides coming after Leto

[@nagamata]

Last thing-Daniel’s thoughts on Messiah being a fair stopping point exactly match my own on God Emperor. By the end of book 4, ngl I was a bit fatigued with the series and needed a break, but also, without spoiling, the conclusion felt like a natural end to the story of the characters we’ve grown to know up to that point.

[@SpectralChicken]

I love your word painting in this video! Very nice writing

[@Binibeanie12]

God Emperor of Dune is going to be a trip! 😅 I'm glad you're continuing the series 👐

[@רוןגורליק-ה5ע]

You’re timing! You’re review for Dune Messiah came a day before I got the book and today I’ve got Children of Dune!

[@maxgoodfel3921]

Yes!! So happy you are enjoying it! I love your thoughts on this series

[@TDanks]

I’m glad that you are giving the series a serious shot, should be higher on your tier list now

[@tleilaxian]

Can't wait to hear your impression of God Emperor of Dune. It is my favorite Dune book, one that I've reread the most, and that had a huge influence on my worldview.

[@gealeigh66]

Loved this book. Loved it! Originally, thought I'd end here, but I'm too tantalized by Herbert's philosophy to stop. I want to hear more of what he thinks about creation, and so I will continue the series. Thank you Daniel for your thoughts!

[@DuskHollow]

Very glad to hear that you are enjoying the series! I went through all six books in 2020 having no idea past the 1984 movie what was going to happen. Things get real weird in the last two books but overall it is a delightful read with great philosophical and existential conversation fodder.

[@chaitanyakrishnadeepak29]

God Emperor of Dune will blow your mind... The best book in the series

[@MrBenfranz]

Very Interested to see Mr. Greene's thought on book 4 which transpires millennia later, and solely focuses on Leto II.

[@RogerNoble-i8g]

for a millennial, you fill me with a sense of optimism for the future. well spoken and concise with also a hint of humour makes your videos appealing for this gen x'er.

[@Magali_theRecordKeeper]

This review is really making me want to reread the Dune books now that I am an adult. Thanks for your perspective on the series!

[@drunkenhowler22]

I just finished messiah and narratively I see what you mean, but oh boy does it hint that there's so much more to see outside of Paul. I'm taking a break from Dune for a little while and let Dune messiah sit with me for a bit. Because it hasn't latched onto me the way the first book did, but, the first had a way of growing in my mind as I ruminated on it and I sense messiah is doing the same as I write this. Leaving me prepped for Children of Dune. Which in some respects I think is almost how they're structured considering the time leaps.

[@Vinlander95]

Another great review! I'm also eagerly awaiting to see your review for the second Eisenhorn novel: Malleus. Love to see if it continues to impress you and increase your appreciation for (some) Warhammer 40k stories.

[@artem_mma]

Yeah I have loved all 3 books. So many unexpected twists and turns. Love them

[@edsainmuramasa4751]

is that boxed water there on purpose?

[@LastCavemanAlive]

Just finished Children of Dune!!

[@11louize]

Daniel I need to know your thoughts on Leto II's transformation. I had to re-read that chapter 3 times before my mind could comprehend what was happening. After reading God Emperor it brings that 7 year old's decision to a whole new light

[@PaladinGaymer]

Children of Dune was by far my favorite alongside the original Dune. God Emperor brings everything to a very satisfying conclusion, but I found it hard to read after Children. For reasons I can’t state cause spoilers. Lol. Hope you enjoy it though! Look forward to your thoughts on God Emperor.

[@kyledavy4546]

Aside from Discworld, this is my favourite book series of all time and it is indescribably delightful watching you get more and more drawn in, more and more excited with each read. Cannot wait to see what you think of God Emperor, which is a real turning point in the series, and is full of profound revelations.

[@ItsMe-pz6gy]

I don't think anyone can really understand the story of Dune until you get to "God Emperor of Dune". It's also my favorite.

[@Weretooth]

@@ItsMe-pz6gy I thought that about Messiah, now I feel that way about Children of Dune. I’m glad to hear each entry is so important!! Loving this series

[@justindaniel4457]

I loved Children of Dune. I would say it’s a good stopping point for the series but I myself want to pick up God-Emperor of Dune to finish off Leto’s story.

[@rabidspatula1013]

Do it! I really thought that it capped the story of the Atreides family perfectly and logically lays out the ultimate goals that began with Paul's journey in book 1. IMHO books 5 or 6 are superfluous and add little to the overall saga. Four is a worthy end. Had I know this I would not have read further.

[@jonathancooper4914]

Reading Dune (on book 4 now) has been life-changing.

[@deathless_freak]

I think you'd love Made In Abyss, it features on of my favourite ever fantasy concepts ( the Abyss, an unexplored cascm containing numerous varied biomes with diverse ecosystems and unique yet terrifying monsters) also the relationship between the two leads is adorable. The anime is 13 episodes and a movie but there is a manga from which the show was adapted I haven't read it only watched but I assume given the quality of the series the books are amazing as well

[@acurlyboi2944]

@Jannes Ebeling you don’t enjoy any characters that are children?

[@AntediluvianRomance]

@@acurlyboi2944 Or maybe they feel the pedobait which is strong with this one, especially in the manga.

[@megatron8490]

that show was fucked up lol

[@deathless_freak]

@@megatron8490 true but it was soo good!

[@JohnSmith-lm9gr]

I forgot about the golden path. as a young man that concept got me to actually plan out my life and start making the changes (small and great) that would get me there... so yah, book changed my life

[@ThunderhawkVeronicaLazerwolf]

Herbert drops you in the world. And the icy personalities, personal interests, and depth of thought are a testament to his intellect

[@mylescarley32]

I have not watched this yet, but this book is my favorite fictional book, period. So I am excited to hear your thoughts. However, I only arrived at that conclusion once I was well into God Emperor.

[@saigade1236]

Would you consider reading and reviewing magical realism books like One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

[@ChrissiesPurpleLibrary]

Great review! I have read the first 3 and agree that Herberts writing does evolve beautifully. Will you do a read-a long for the God Emperor of Dune (Book #4)? If I'd love to join in. I have not continued to the series past book 3...I'm kind of nervous about it. Anyhoo, love ya channel!

[@mariar3767]

O my I hope you continue reading . My favorite book is actualy the last one 😊 maybe because is basicly powerful women fighting .

[@byronmain1155]

I think you would love Goodnight punpun.

[@therealpatagonianpancakes]

I love that Paul named his second son Leto II, making him Leto 2nd the 2nd, the 3rd

[@PoorPersonsBookReviewer]

I was a little lost thinking how could liet-kyens and Paul not see how introducing that much water to dune would of course kill off the worms and how this was some how a surprise? Also if alia/the barron wanted to destroy the spice trade in order to control it?? Don't they already control the spice trade??

[@lukewisner8597]

Love the Dune series and these reviews have been great. Also I see that Twilight Imperium reference. If you like that game you should definitely play the Dune board game

[@kingghidra1032]

I just finished this again and can anyone inform me what that speech from Leto to his cousin mean? Is he threatening him to defend Ghanis honor or?

[@jonathonturberville2843]

I'm glad you've continued on with Dune past the first book, and that you've enjoyed the subsequent entries. I'm particularly interested to hear your take on Book 4, as I tend to imagine it as the most polarizing (and in my opinion, the best) in the series. I also hope one day to hear your impressions of some of Terry Brooks' work. especially the first trilogy and possibly the follow-up tetralogy. Assuming that you haven't read his work before, I wonder if how you would rate it overall.

[@Doman0204]

I have taken a break after children of dune but I definitely need to get back into that world!

[@kreehomel]

Really looking forward to seeing what you think of God Emperor of Dune. It has some really interesting choices...including, for some reason....let's say..."sexy rock climbing."

[@HonorGuard117]

Don't even know much about Dune other than watching the first Dune movie and seeing comments about Children of Dune on the new trailer. I liked watching this video and how you explained your thoughts so well. And, yes, are we really worth saving at this point? 😅

[@maddoxbrien5850]

From watching your reviews, it seems you like book 2 and 3 more than the original. Most people would disagree with that, but I actually think it’s pretty interesting.

[@marocat4749]

The god emporer of dune will be fun.

[@DREWSBOOKREVIEWS]

I need to get back to reading this series, it is on my re-read TBR

[@ScottiHubba]

Leto II is one of my favourite characters. No spoilers for future. Just that statement alone.

[@judydodge737]

Curious. Has anyone read the last three books in the series written by. Rain Herbert? I keep reading a lot about the books after this one-but all ending with Frank’s last book-which isn’t the end of the story. I read this series as a kid and once I got to read the end of the story, it was just awesome. Cleared up a lot of the confusion of the otherwise abrupt ending.

[@majormetcalf1225]

This was the book that broke me. I hate this book sooo much. The best character, the planet Dune is totally neutered. At this point. It’s such a safe place and it lost all the things that make it feel special now I’m just left with these automaton humans I couldn’t care less about.

[@bluewolf619125]

I agree with the statement that Paul isn’t the hero of Dune. Personally I believe that position should go to Leto. Even considering what happens in the next book, through his sacrifice (something that Paul could’ve done or he could’ve allowed his sister to do it) he was able to successfully save humanity from its doom despite how much pain it puts him through.

[@WillhelmLiebniz]

I really hope you continue on in the Dune series. It is one of my favorite series. The next book God Emperor is not my favorite but the 2nd Trilogy is fantastic and has amazing characters and plot devices.

[@korrosiv3]

I’m hyped for you to make a review of god emperor. Keep up the content!

[@rabidspatula1013]

Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, and God Emperor of Dune are an amazing tetralogy/quadrilogy. Cannot say I liked books 5 and 6 but the first four are an incredible story.

[@WigglesPK]

Thanks for including spoiler section! Hope to see it in the following books

[@chrismueller8795]

So I’m wondering cense it was not so subtle, is box water better?

[@toh786]

A very nice review. I hope you enjoy the rest of the journey!

[@yw1971]

Not to mention one of the most tragic female characters in SF - Alia

[@vanm-w9313]

I sort of view the first three as their own trilogy, sort of like how Red Rising's diad of trilogies feel separated. The second half of the Dune novels is a huge departure from the first. I haven't read past the fourth, it has been years so maybe it is time I finish up the series..

[@angelaholmes8888]

I absolutely was hooked into children of dune I'm glad I decided to give the series a try 👍

[@peeko_luxx2873]

Little late to the Dune party, but I finally picked up the first book after years of putting it off. I couldn’t stop reading. I’ve now just finished Children of Dune and I feel your sentiments on a few of your opinions. I was very attached to Paul and I did have that feeling after Messiah where I almost didn’t get Children, glad I read it. Was awesome! Took me a bit to get attached to Leto II and Ghanima but some old characters returns really smoothed the transition for me. Once I had gotten more accustomed to the new Atreides twins, I was hooked like I was for the first one. So far though, surprisingly, I enjoyed Messiah the most. The ending just hit me hard and I re-read a bunch of chapters just to relive it right away haha Paul was my favorite character but like you and other reviewers stated, there really isn’t a good guy to the story and I find that fascinating. Or the idea of a charismatic leader who gets followers to want to give their everything for them. Even Frank gotten us readers duped, rooting for characters whose intentions and goals are on a morally grey level, riding the fine line between that good and evil is what I find so interesting. At a random point, you realize the character you have been rooting for, has been pushing for something you don’t quite understand is crazy. Cheers Edit: didn’t know who the preacher was. Was pumped when I read that plot so I truly think you should try to stay away from spoilers in the future my man! I saw through it and had my hunch, but after the end of Messiah, I was holding my breath!

[@tictacterminator]

this book had one the greatest endings of any anime ever change my mind

[@charliegilroy1850]

Great review Daniel, Children of Dune was my favorite of the 4 or 5 Dune books I read before I quit the series. I do however need to ask the important questions, like WTF is boxed water?

[@guygrist4436]

I hate to say this but I really struggled with Children of Dune it’s taken me nearly a year to try and get through it and I have still not finished it, maybe the long internal monologues where to much for me. I loved the first book but the third one I found to be really hard work. I want carry on because God Emperor sounds fascinating.

[@ZatoichiBattousai]

Duncan Idaho is the protagonist.

[@deanryanmartin]

Why him? He is gone is Book 1, right?

[@ZatoichiBattousai]

@@deanryanmartin He's in every book lol, as a Ghola but with his memories, so ya he's always there.

[@deanryanmartin]

@@ZatoichiBattousai Oh. Now i know, I am having a scene of the 1984 Dune in my mind. He died there.

[@ZatoichiBattousai]

@@deanryanmartin Yes, because all heroes die for others, I am sure that was part of Frank's intentions in his writings.

[@worlddd7777]

Only thing i think every SF author miss about the future, and that is, in very near future, no one will age, and people will live for centuries probably. The way medicine is going, it is literally just matter of time

[@holydissolution85]

My friends and me always thaught that Ghola Idaho character has great arc in Messiah.......why is it so bad Daniel if only a few characters are fully fleshed out ? Maybe there is no need for that artistically....You can tell that everybody has changed in 12 years - some are more fanatical, some disenchanted.... 4:06 No wonder you don' t get emotionally charged characters....these are controlled , tough ,generationally trained minds of the future in such possession of their faculties that we can hardly imagine it ....that' s why occasional thouchy - feely - humanely moment in series is more contrasted , impactful and also feels more grown - up.... Paul is not a failed prophet ... he did exactly what Golden Path required of him.....Leto can ( and will) do the rest.... Herbert not eloquent writer ? Maybe you are mistaking total absence of florid and purple prose in Herbert for lack of eloquence....His style is what you see in spy novels...his greatest strenght is tension and hidden meanings in dialogues and that " cold" style works great not just in Dune but in other Herbert novels... Besides, without that "cold" style Dune universe wouldn't have that serious , real feeling of brutal dangerous universe where everyone must be on their toes all the time. That's lacking in Brians books. They feel childish because of that... He also has a great way of effortlessly blending various soft sciences , philosophy and religion / mystical stuff inside character monologues... For me , Leto 's mystical journey in second part of the novel is one of the highlights of the entire series.... We'll see once you get to end of the series. It's really hard for me to pick a favorite book even after all these years ...

[@OrchestrationOnline]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the Dune series up to the third book. I completely disagree with you that Dune Messiah focuses too much on Paul. I don't find that true at all. If anything, the main character of the story is the ghola Duncan Idaho, with Alia as a strong secondary character and Paul mostly as the centre of the plot without taking over the narrative too much. We are left with Idaho musing about Paul's departure at the end, and falling into his role as the chief protector of the Atreides line. The emotional crux of the novel is not Paul losing Chani, but Idaho overcoming his programming.