Book Three), Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles

(This is the third book in the Dune series and therefore the review will contain spoilers for the first two, Dune and Dune Messiah. And maybe even some for this one. You have been warned!)

It is 9 years since the blinded and heartbroken Paul Muad'dib walked off into the desert of Dune to die. His weird little children, Leto and Ghanima, take after their Auntie Alia in so many ways – prescient, gifted or cursed with the memories of all their ancestors, nuts. Until now I thought the horrid little kids who sing the duet in Polar Express were the creepiest children ever, but Leto and Ghani have them beat hands down! Alia, meantime, has overindulged so much in the spice drug melange that she has become what the Bene Gesserit feared – an Abomination! No longer able to control all the voices of her ancestors inside her head, she has fallen under the influence of the strongest of them – the evil Baron Harkonen. Leto and Ghani look on this as a warning and are assiduously avoiding doing the spice drug conversion thingy that Rev Mothers do, as they think this is what caused Alia to become Abominable.

Meantime Jessica has returned to the folds of the Bene Gesserit and has now been sent back to Arrakis (Dune) for reasons that remain somewhat hazy. Basically she appears to be trying to protect the genetic line by persuading Leto and Ghani (9-year-old twins, remember) to mate and breed. It's always good to have a supportive granny, isn't it? And has Paul really died in the desert? Who is the mysterious Preacher who keeps popping up and calling Alia names? If he is Paul, why is he trying to undermine his family's rule? Why do Leto and Ghani want to get to Jacurutu? How come Leto is having prescient dreams if he's not taking spice? What is the Golden Path that Leto keeps banging on about as the way to save something? Save what? Or who? Seriously – if you know the answers, do tell – personally I'm baffled!

The book starts off well, getting straight into the story. I was about to say that it's important to read these in order or you wouldn't have a clue what was going on but... I did read them in order and I still found this one almost completely incomprehensible! I can only assume that Mr Herbert too may have been sampling the delights of mind-altering substances while writing, and I wondered if perhaps it's necessary to be doped up to the eyeballs to follow the 'plot'. Unfortunately, having no illicit drugs to hand, I was forced to attempt it on wine only and that clearly wasn't strong enough. (I also tried sobriety – but that was so much worse!)

The thing is it seems as if it's going to be good. The writing is as good as usual and Herbert creates a nicely chilling atmosphere. The description of all the personalities within Alia trying to take control of her mind is brilliantly done, and Leto and Ghani channelling the thoughts of their dead parents is incredibly creepy. Herbert uses Leto's mullings on what he should do as a vehicle to indulge in a bit of philosophising about the Cold War concerns of his own time, concluding unsurprisingly that the American Way of Life is best. There are loads of conspiracies going on with everyone scheming against everyone else, and Herbert makes this a fascinating look at the loneliness and ultimate fragility of power.

But... Herbert forgets to tell us what's actually going on! Having a rotten memory, I usually jot down brief notes for review purposes – here's one of my notes... “About 2/3 now – haven't a clue what's going on, don't like anybody, don't care who wins (wins what?) and thoroughly bored with the psychedelic drugs, man! Lots of pseudo profundity that's supposed to be taken seriously and sooooo repetitive. Just want it to be over now.” You can tell I was really enjoying it!

The last third shows some brilliant imagination even if it's frankly weird to the point of laughable. I have to mention the sandtrouts...

(Spoiler!!! Spoiler!!! Spoiler!!!)

The bit where Leto and the sandtrouts merge is without a doubt one of the most inspired pieces of lunacy I've ever read, made beautifully squirmily disgusting by the quality of the writing. But when the process turns Leto into some kind of pint-sized superhero who can leap tall buildings in a single bound and destroy hardened warriors with one punch, I began to giggle. And, during the big dramatic finale, that giggling turned into uncontrollable, tears-running-down-the-face, hysteria when he picked up his Abominable Auntie Alia and swung her around his head! I'm not altogether convinced that was the effect Herbert was aiming for...

Great start, incomprehensible middle, unintentionally hysterical end. The last sentence of my notes reads “Right load of old tosh!” and I stand by that! Will I be reading more of the Dune books? Not for the foreseeable future... see? I'm prescient too...

Rarely has a book been as beautifully and poniontly written as Children of Dune, Frank Herbert's third book in the Dune Chronicles. Filled with all of the original cast and several new charecters, Children of Dune explores like its predecessors the creation of Gods and Messiahs from men, albeit prodigal men, but men nonetheless; the creations of empires and the development of societies; and the relationships that bind people together throughout the ages.

In short, a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

Since the Dune Series is such a great classic, I thought I would read it and give my opinion. So, in a way, this is a review about the series as a whole. Yes, it is interesting, very visual and poetic, there is great world-building going on, and always something new...usually a new way to commit murder.

What this series lacks is likeable characters. Every single character is two-faced, scheming, and tricky. Do any of these galactic emperors and leaders actually care about their subjects? The first book had some good guys and some villains. Since the Harkonnens were schmucks who raped little boys, obviously the galaxy would be better off under the Atreides. By the next book chronologically (Paul of Dune) I lost sympathy with the Atreides cause. If there was some cosmic reason why the Fremen's murderous Jihad was better than the alternative, the author should have revealed it. Otherwise, I have little sympathy with Jihads.

There is another series which deals in the future of the Galaxy, and actions which may influence it for good or ill. I am speaking of Asimov's Foundation series. This series did a much better job of making me care about the future of the galaxy and those who struggle for it. Why is this so? Maybe because the characters are more likeable. Why are they more likable? Because they don't kill someone every three pages.

As I am reading Children of Dune, I would just as soon see Alia, Duncan, Jessica and the rest get killed and their empire crumble. Is that the point that the author is trying to make? Not sure whose side the author is on. There is also a problem with pacing. There is way too much talking, philosophizing and pontificating. Meanwhile, important character developments seem to happen offstage. At what point did Alia "go bad"? Her transformation was not well portrayed or believable.

An aside which has bothered me about the Dune series: if Dune is a desert more severe than Saudi Arabia, what do the Fremen live on? Can they keep goats as the Arabs do? Do they hunt, and if so, what prey animal can live in such a severe desert? This is a pretty basic question.

So, I keep asking myself "do I want to read any more Dune books?" Well, I suppose I will, since they are at least interesting enough to keep me turning pages. But since I don't care what happens to the characters, these books make good bedtime reading!

It's taken me quite some time to get around to reading this particular series - and I regret that I didn't read it earlier. This third installment of Frank Herbert's Dune series is an outstanding piece of writing that should not be overlooked by any fan of literature let alone sci-fi literature.

This has to also be one of the strangest stories I have ever read and it is the strangest so far of the first three books in the series (I have yet to read the others). Additionally I have to say that there are very few likable qualities in any of the characters (which is why I gave it four stars). Alia has gone nuts and is under the control of the Baron Harkonnen entity of her psyche (you have to read the story to see what that means), Paul has also gone nuts and has assumed the persona of a hermit type prophet known as "The Preacher" who wanders around the planet spreading doom, Leto II (Paul's son) transforms into some type of worm creature who has all kinds of supernatural abilities, his twin sister has some likable traits, and Jessica has returned to the Bene Gesserit fold and appears to no longer be acting to the benefit of House Atrreides. The character I liked most in the story was Farad'n - but his time in the story was limited though he does play a major role.

There is less political intrigue in this story than the prior two books - but it is still prevalent in the story. It's more of how Leto II rises to power in the empire. Also Frank Herbert seems to be making an environmental statement with this book that I didn't see too much in the prior books.

I loved the book though because Frank Herbert is second to none with his descriptive writing ability. He paints a very vivid picture of his universe that is striking. Granted - its a universe I'm glad I don't live in - but Mr. Herbert's ability to scare the heck out of you with this twisted universe with its twisted characters makes it worth the time and effort to get through these books. He was clearly a literary genius and I highly recommend this book (and the prior two in the series) to anyone who wants to dig deeper when they read. I will eventually be pushing on to read the next book in the series....

Children of Dune is the third book in the Dune Chronicles.

The Asaga that started in Dune and continued in Dune Messiah continues. Mainly set on Arrakis and Salusa Secondus sees the children of Paul Atreides come full into their inheritance as Leto and Ghanima set forth to shape the future of Arrakis, otherwise know as Dune.

I love this series so much. Children of Dune is one of my favorite books in this series. Dune is no longer a desert planet. Half the planet is now populated with vegetation, and while this is great for the occupants of Dune, what will happen to the sandworms who need the desert to survive?

The character development is beyond fantastic. Alia, sister of Paul, is possessed by her many inner lives. She is a true abomination. Will she survive, and who is this preacher? Is he truly Paul Atreides returned from the desert?

I listened to this book as a audio and it was a fabulous audiobook. The reader portrayed the characters so well and I will definitely be listening to the rest of the books on audio.

Note: this was a re-read but first time in audio.

I'm no genre-ist.

What is a genre anyway? An abstract concept, not a real object or a physical thing. It's a meme pushed on the public and deployed as a precision marketing tool for cutting up segments of consumers of the written word into narrow categories. This facilitates the targeted selling of narrowly-defined flavors of books to customers conditioned to remain within their narrow pigeonholes. Like dropping smart bombs on selected communities target-rich with disposable income. Do you think it's natural for human beings to claim they're "into YA, steampunk and dystopia?" The anti-artistic genre-centric commercial infrastructure inevitably does damage to the creative process by squeezing writers into imagination-damped niches and effectively blocking readers from discovering wonderful new works which happen to not fall within their self-imposed bins of preference. Enormous hordes of ravenous readers nowadays, for example, would never even think of sinking so low as to wander near the science fiction stacks at the library or bookstore, no matter that the movies they've loved best in the last two decades have been decidedly science fictional.

I mention this because in Children of Dune (originally published in 1976) Frank Herbert engaged in some marvelous experimentation with extending the parameters of what science fiction could be: experiments that he would pursue to a greater or lesser degree for the rest of his career, and which all too few other science fiction authors have since attempted to emulate. For the first time Herbert blended science fiction with literary fiction in a serious way. Children of Dune represents the first novel in which a science fiction author really tried to do this. Herbert was going all-out in an attempt to create genuine literature within his Dune universe, engaging in intense psychological character studies no less than advancing the action-adventure sequences which by tradition are central to science fiction, as well as to almost all other fashionable genres. He was deliberately angling to win respect for science fiction as a legitimate literary form. In fact, you might say Children of Dune is literary fiction that happens to be built on a science fiction foundation.

How well this experiment succeeds is debatable. Some science fiction readers don't want more than a plot-driven action-adventure. Still, this novel remains popular among those who still read Frank Herbert, and I suspect that this aspect of the novel never really sinks in with most readers. In my opinion the experiment succeeds superbly, extending the series into new literary territory not seen before in Herbert's works. By itself this is abundant reason to read Children of Dune.

That's the first thing to appreciate about this third novel in the Dune series.

The second thing to understand is that when Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind premiered in 1977, Children of Dune had already been out for a year. The Dune paperbacks were soon repackaged in a box set just as The Lord of the Rings had been, and the general public, now suddenly hungry for this genre from the wastelands, began buying the trilogy with unprecedented enthusiasm, particularly in the Christmas buying season of 1977. The original Dune trilogy was therefore a critically important factor ushering in science fiction's newfound public acceptability. The more mainstream style in which Children of Dune was written certainly contributed to this acceptance.

Two principles inform the action of this novel. Various power factions are vying to control and shape the upcoming promotion of the illegitimate nine-year-old twins, Leto II and Ghanima, to the Imperial throne, and their Aunt Alia, the regent, is increasingly demonstrating frank signs of possession. Political power throughout the human-populated universe, and therefore human destiny itself, hangs in the balance. The goals of the young twins are mostly unappreciated by all the established power blocs to their own peril, the vision of Leto II for the future far outstripping anything anyone else has ever imagined. Just what this vision entails is only slowly revealed throughout the novel if, indeed, it can ever be said to be fully explicable: this theme will be best explored in the fourth book in the series, God Emperor of Dune.

In a broader sense, Children of Dune is concerned with the tension between freedom and the driving urge for the control of human activity, for the self-assembling hierarchies which impose their own limits on the fate of humanity. The opposite of conservatism, Herbert argues, is not liberalism but freedom. Whenever the word or concept of control emerges in a Herbert novel, this is a red cape waved in front of a maddened bull. Controlling hierarchies are constructed of absolutes which always fail in the face of an infinite universe. Absolutes are deadly to human beings. This understanding is central to Leto's vision and, indeed, to much of the rest of the fiction that Herbert produced in his life.

Children of Dune is a bridge that carries Herbert and, I would argue, science fiction collectively, into the modern era. This novel points the way to how science fiction can be enfolded into both the mainstream and into genuine literature.

Bob R Bogle
Author of Frank Herbert: The Works

Herbert's difficult style of writing comes to the fore once again in this second sequel. He continues with his statement on ecology and the issues surrounding leadership in a natural extension of what we see in the first two novels. Perhaps that aspect of the story was too predictable to be palatable for his audience. He also adds to his themes the main plot of the story, the endless squabbling of factions trying to get some or all of the imperial power. If his style of writing had been more conducive to reading the interplay would have been delightful; the movie adaptation shows the kind of potential it had.

I have read several criticisms about the unexplained thinking and actions of the pre-born twins, and I would like to comment on that. As I have said in a post on my site, increased intelligence whether in our species or others is a matter of increased perceptions; 205 will likely be our I.Q. limit until are able to perceive another dimension or increase our awareness in some other way. The twins are able to see the future and have access to millennia of lives. They have additional perceptions, they are smarter than most humans are, and so of course their thoughts and actions should be beyond the purview of the reader. To do otherwise would be to make us their intellectual equals, which we are not.

Frank Herbert's "Children of Dune" is the 3rd book in his original Dune series. In general, it's not as good as "Dune," itself, but it's better than its immediate prequel, "Dune Messiah." Like "Dune," it's well-written with well-developed characters, theme and plot. Unlike "Dune Messiah," "Children of Dune" has lost (thankfully) most of the "dueling aphorisms" and a large chunk of the excess philosophy that marred that work. I really only have three nits that bother me about this book. First, there's still quite a bit of apocalyptic philosophy throughout it. Second, Alia's "Abomination" issue sprang up without any hints from the previous two books. Also, prior to this book, I was under the impression she had only the female memories of her heritage (as all Reverend Mothers do). And, finally, Herbert really dumbed down Irulen in this book. None of these are big issues. But, the book is definitely not as good as "Dune," so I'm rating it at "just" a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

And to help people find all the books in the original Dune series (i.e., when Frank Herbert was still alive):
1. Dune (40th Anniversary Edition) (Dune Chronicles, Book 1)
2. Dune Messiah
3. Children Of Dune: The Third Dune Novel
4. God Emperor of Dune
5. Heretics of Dune
6. Chapterhouse: Dune

I often caught myself thinking, as I read this book, that this series is beginning to get a little long in the tooth now, after three books.

In the first book, the plot was to assassinate Duke Leto Atreides. In the second book, it was to assassinate his son, Paul "Maud'Dib" Atreides. Now, in the third book, it is to assassinate his twin children, Ghanima and Leto II. But like the other three, there is way more to it than an assassination plot! There are plots within plots within plots. It's long, convoluted, frustrating and difficult to read at times. But in true Frank Herbert style, just when you think of abandoning the book, some new twist leaps off the pages at you, and you can't put it down until you find out how the new hook will turn out.

By the third book, the planet of Arrakis has changed so much that it's very difficult to think of it as the same place you encounter in the first book. But still, many things are still the same, and one of the sub-plots is a struggle to return the planet to the way it once was.

I was planning to give this book two stars, and remove the rest of the series from my to-read list. The ending changed my mind; it shocked me so much that I simply cannot wait to see what happens next!

I didn't care for Dune Messiah much. It was long winded, bloated and at times incomprehensible. I began this book only because I wanted to finish the original Dune trilogy and because I'd heard this book made Dune Messiah better in retrospect.

This book felt like a mixture of Dune and Messiah. It had a little more action but also became dragged down in what I've come to call 'Spice Trance Crap.' There are entire chapters that come across as just freestyle ramblings once Leto begins taking in spice. Much of Dune Messiah was the same way. There's so much existential nonsense thrown around, it becomes a real core. Am I supposed to be able to follow all this? I think sometimes yes, sometimes no. But often, it's hard to tell.

That goes for the plot too. The Dune Series prides itself on 'plots within plots within plots.' In Dune, I could follow just enough to be enthralled. In Dune Messiah, I was lost much of the time. Children is no different. By this point, everyone in the book is scheming their own plans; Jessica, Alia, Duncan, even Stilgar and Gurney are questionable at times. Sometimes I believe that is the point and we're supposed to just go along with it and figure it out later. Other times though, it's hard to tell. Again, this gets old and tiresome after a time.

I don't know why but Herbert seems to really want to drive home the point that leaders are no good. We wanted Paul to be victorious, but he turned out to be a whiney Emporer who did a lot of horrible things before 'killing' himself. Children of Dune is no different. Leto gains the throne and is already thinking of suicide. He also promises a period of peace but at the cost of total destruction.

I seriously think Arrakis would have been better off with the Harkonens at this point. With them there would have been no jihad, no billions killed, the Fremen would have remained strong, the Krazilec wouldn't happen.

But maybe that's Herbert's point, too? We, the readers, are now left weighing the evils of the Harkonens against the evils of the Atreides, just like Paul and now Leto must weigh the evils of their possible futures.

That's neat I guess, but all I've really wanted since Dune 1 was someone to root for, but I keep getting more scheming plots within plots within plots on to of more Spice Trance Crap.

For the best experience, read the Dune novels in chronological order, NOT by date of publication. Though more releases are planned, for the chronological order of all 17 mainstream novels that exist as I write, go here: http://www.the store.com/Dune-Saga-Chronological-Order/lm/1COADLEGRZEOC

At the end of the preceding volume, THE WINDS OF DUNE, Emperor Paul Muad'Dib is apparently dead. His sister Alia assumes leadership as regent until Paul's baby son, Leto, comes of age.

Nine years pass.

Leto and his twin sister, Ghanima, are the "children of Dune." Offspring of planned breeding and the psycho-biochemical excretions from giant sandworms, they have paranormal abilities. For example, the prescience they gain from using melange. That's the planet Dune's famous spice. Perhaps more impressive is their ability to remember everything from the memories of their ancestors. Not bad, huh? It makes them extremely precocious, for nine-year olds. And there's an ability that Leto has yet to develop....

The plot focuses on the struggle of Leto and Ghanima against their evil aunt, Alia. Nine-year-olds who talk as adults is a phenomenon that attracts our attention. As does Frank Herbert's intense action. And he gives us an arousing finale. Still, much of the novel, including ten pages that follow the finale, is blasé. But CHILDREN OF DUNE is required reading for the series.

Children of Dune is the third book in the Dune Chronicles.

The Asaga that started in Dune and continued in Dune Messiah continues. Mainly set on Arrakis and Salusa Secondus sees the children of Paul Atreides come full into their inheritance as Leto and Ghanima set forth to shape the future of Arrakis, otherwise know as Dune.

I love this series so much. Children of Dune is one of my favorite books in this series. Dune is no longer a desert planet. Half the planet is now populated with vegetation, and while this is great for the occupants of Dune, what will happen to the sandworms who need the desert to survive?

The character development is beyond fantastic. Alia, sister of Paul, is possessed by her many inner lives. She is a true abomination. Will she survive, and who is this preacher? Is he truly Paul Atreides returned from the desert?

I listened to this book as a audio and it was a fabulous audiobook. The reader portrayed the characters so well and I will definitely be listening to the rest of the books on audio.

Note: this was a re-read but first time in audio.

Children of Dune, the third book of Frank Herbert's series, while not one of the best of the series is certainly an interesting continuation of the Dune chronicle. In this book, the twin children of Paul Maud'Dib Atreides, hero of the first two books of the series must contend with the continued upheaval in the galaxy caused by their father's violent ascent to the imperial throne.
The background for this book is complex: The fallout from Paul's takeover is massive. Paul's ascent to the throne, while possibly the least evil course for humanity given the corruption and stagnation in the human race until his takeover, unleashed a bloody jihad on the galaxy. Paul's original followers, the desert-bred and half wild Fremen have become the leaders of the jihad. As army officers, they are still great warriors; however, they have lost much of their mysticism and their wildness. As a result, some of the Fremen have turned against Paul, as originally explored in the previous book, Dune Messiah. On top of this, Paul's death in the previous book has left only his two young children to rule. Given their youth, the galaxy is being run in their name by their increasingly corrupt and insane aunt, the Abomination Alia, possibly in league with their grandmother who may also be a traitor to them and their step-mother Irulan.
As a result of all this, the book focuses on the children's attempts to take control of the empire and save it from those who will destroy the entire galaxy. Furthermore, they must find a way to take control of the empire while avoiding the mistakes of their father, Paul, who unleashed the violent jihad on the galaxy, allowed himself to be set up as a Messiah and became so addicted to the Spice melange which allowed him to see the future that he became unable to act except as dictated by his visions.
The children strike on a horrifying method to take over the galaxy but avoid the temptation of doing so by foreseeing the future exactly. I will not reveal their method because one of the best parts of the book is the way their method unfolds, twisting and turning until the final horror is revealed. The book is worth reading just to have that revelation.
Another interesting aspect of this book is the fact that for the only time in the Dune series, Herbert's main characters are young children. Although they have collected wisdom greater than anyone else in the galaxy, except possibly their aunt Alia due to their parentage, Herbert is still able to deal with them as children. Herbert shows his deftness as an author, not simply as a sci-fi writer.
The only flaw with this book is that it is significantly less mystical than the prior books. Although the result of the path chosen by the children is very mystical, as revealed in the next book, this book primarily deals with plot rather than Herbert's amazing insights into humanity and religion.

My son was named after Leto, and it was nice to read why my husband wanted to choose it so badly. I honestly took a long time to get into this book. I really liked the first one, and the second was so-so, and I didn't really get all into this until the last one hundred pages.

Basically in this third book installation of the series, there are several problems that all go around Alia's abomination as she allows her Harkonnen blood rule her. Duncan Idaho is betrayed and needs to decide where his loyalty lies. Jessica fears her grandchildren turning out like her daughter while also having to train a Corrino in the Bene Gesserit way. The Preacher is introduced as one who stirs things up with his message against Alia, and many think he is Muad'dib. Leto and Ghanima, the twins show us how they control their past lives that are within them, and Leto seeks taking the Golden Path that his father could not take.

1) The unabridge audiobook was a lot of listening, but it has some things going for it.
a) The reader of the audiobook did a good job of the acting and voiceovers. There were one or two scenes where the actor missed the correct voice and if it wasn't for the "Lito said" or "Gurney said" you kind of loose the pace during those scenes. Otherwise, the reader did a fine job!
b) The story was gripping! I normally can't stand unabridged readings but this one kept me enthralled from the beginning of tape 1 to the end of tape 10. Now more about the story...
2) Some will love it, while others will hate the transformation of some of our favorite characters from Dune. I personally felt the transformations were a love/hate relationship I had with the book. I too like to see my favorite protagonist succeed in the end, so the end result on a couple of characters was saddening. The redeeming factor is that there are new characters who come to life and step in, with all their glory and likeableness (is that a word?), to take the spotlight and continue the story.
3) I honestly don't remember getting any true sense of wonder from Dune Messiah. Children of Dune I definitely had that sense of wonder. The sense of wonder did at times borderline on huge disbelief but Herbert's explainations helped me through it...so I was able to forgive the author when all was said and done.
Because of feedback from others, after reading Dune I abandoned the rest of the series. Years later I picked up Dune Messiah on the off chance that it would be great and it was ok reading when you have nothing else that is seriously waiting to be read. That was like 7 years ago. With the upcoming Sci-Fi channel made movie called Children of Dune I had to pickup this story. I'm very glad I did and I'm very interested in reading the next book in the series now.

After first reading Dune (book 1) I was excited to start on the sequels, but then so many people told me to skip the sequels because they thought they were boring. That was 10 years ago and I am ashamed to say that I listened to them. But after Dune: The Children of Dune the movie came out, and after reading good reviews here on the store, I decided to ignore them and read the sequels anyways (after re-reading the first).

In the end, I'm very glad I did. The second book was a bit slow, but the third book really picked up again. Don't get me wrong, this is not as fast paced or exciting as the first book, but I still found it an interesting and provocative read.

In the third book, we get to know the twins of Muad'dib who we saw as babies in the second book but have grown up a bit (mentally by decades but physically by 9 years). Still present is Alia, Paul's sister. Paul's mother returns along with many others from the first two books.

There is a plot underway to assassinate the twins and return power to House Corrino. There is also something going on with Alia, who appears to be possessed by her grandfather, the terrible Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. And there is also a strange preacher who preaches against the empire and religion set up by Muad'dib and ran by Alia.

As with all of the Dune books, there are plots within plots within plots. You do need to pay close attention to keep track of them and who is involved.

If you love a great epic with a smart plot, unforgettable characters, and from the mind of a fantastic imagination then this book, as well as the other books in the Dune series, are highly recommended.

I like the direction Frank Herbert took the Dune series in his first two sequels. This book has a bit more development than the original Dune. We get to learn more about the inner turmoil of Paul, Alia, and then meet the kids. Frank has a way of creating politically exciting twists and power struggles, without making any one character the villain. Paul and Alia in their own ways are both despots and victims. In terms of storyline, I think this brings the story to a satisfying conclusion (I'm not so big a fan of what happens after Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3)).

Frank's writing style can be a bit dense. Sometimes the dialogue is filled with philosophical or nonsensical musings. Some of it is quite deep - but certainly not how people actually talk. It takes some getting used to. I'd recommend only continuing on to this book if you got through the original Dune and liked it.

If you liked the books, I highly recommend Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Two-Disc DVD Set) - it's a pretty good film adaptation of Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles) and Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3).

I like the direction Frank Herbert took the Dune series in his first two sequels. This book has a bit more development than the original Dune. We get to learn more about the inner turmoil of Paul, Alia, and then meet the kids. Frank has a way of creating politically exciting twists and power struggles, without making any one character the villain. Paul and Alia in their own ways are both despots and victims. In terms of storyline, I think this brings the story to a satisfying conclusion (I'm not so big a fan of what happens after Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3)).

Frank's writing style can be a bit dense. Sometimes the dialogue is filled with philosophical or nonsensical musings. Some of it is quite deep - but certainly not how people actually talk. It takes some getting used to. I'd recommend only continuing on to this book if you got through the original Dune and liked it.

If you liked the books, I highly recommend Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Two-Disc DVD Set) - it's a pretty good film adaptation of Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles) and Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3).

I like the direction Frank Herbert took the Dune series in his first two sequels. This book has a bit more development than the original Dune. We get to learn more about the inner turmoil of Paul, Alia, and then meet the kids. Frank has a way of creating politically exciting twists and power struggles, without making any one character the villain. Paul and Alia in their own ways are both despots and victims. In terms of storyline, I think this brings the story to a satisfying conclusion (I'm not so big a fan of what happens after Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3)).

Frank's writing style can be a bit dense. Sometimes the dialogue is filled with philosophical or nonsensical musings. Some of it is quite deep - but certainly not how people actually talk. It takes some getting used to. I'd recommend only continuing on to this book if you got through the original Dune and liked it.

If you liked the books, I highly recommend Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Two-Disc DVD Set) - it's a pretty good film adaptation of Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles) and Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3).

Arrakis is a different world now and Paul's grip on the Throne is no more. Left to the dessert as a sacrifice for Shai-Hulud due his blindness, Paul's persona is no longer present in the events moving the royal throne, yet his influence is still there. Was he devoured by the giant sandworms, as the Fremen custom commands?
Meanwhile, Paul's twin Children, more gifted than what his father ever was, are the heirs to the royal throne. Yet these are not ordinary children, the wisdom of the Ages flows through their bodies and the Bene Gesserit will do anything that is on its hands (even family treachery) to obtain the precious Atreides genes.
But this time, Leto II, just a young eight years old boy in body, will do the unthinkable and face the terrible consequences his father, the Kwizats Haderach, did not want to face; The terrible sacrifice that comes with the salvation of the Human race.
This book is perhaps the most mystical of the first three Dune books and it is rich with metaphysical symbolism, something that makes is just too goddamn great! (Even though I am a complete skeptic/atheist) Just read it, ok? (But read the other two first!)

Having been a fan of Herbert for years, I have to say this is one of the most disappointing books I've read. Part of this is due to the fact that Herbert has set the standard quite high. When you compare this book to Dune, it just doesn't hold up.
I find this book is quite wordy and the story seems jumbled together. Sure there is a central story taking place, but much of what is going on seems to be unnecessary drivel. At times I found myself wondering "What does this have to do with anything?" Maybe Herbert is just that much more intelligent than I am. Actually I know he is. However, that doesn't excuse him for writing such a... mess. One example is the preacher's speeches. He seems to be saying absolutely nothing but apparently he is saying something, cause a lot of characters are moved by what he says. After reading the book twice I still can't figure out what is the big deal with the Preacher (besides his true identity).
Having said that I want to give out praise where it is deserved. I found the part of the story dealing with Leto II and the "golden path" compelling. His sacrifice to save humanity and Dune is exactly what being a messiah is all about. First time readers will be interested to see how this character changes in the next book. Afterall, he is going to live for thousands of years and become something which is certainly not human.
While not a bad book, and a requirement if you plan on reading the entire series, this book is not quite up to the standard set by the original. It doesn't have that epic feel to it like Dune had. However, when you compare it to some of the other [stuff] out there in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, it's a cut above the rest in originality and composition.

---

Why review a book in 2007 which originally came out nearly a half-century ago?

Because I just reread it this week, and now I remember why it has always been my favorite of all the Dune books.

In the unlikely event that you don't already know the story, herewith a very brief plot summary: About ten thousand years from now, on a planet that used to be an almost-uninhabitable desert but which is now slowly turning green, two nine-year-old children, a boy and a girl-- twins-- set about to rescue this world from the well-intentioned but disastrous consequences of their father's changes to its climate and government. Aided and abetted by that father himself, in disguise, this attempt at reworking history and changing the future, by in some sense changing the past, surmounts nearly countless pitfalls to set humanity on a Golden Path which will hopefully result in a philosophical paradise for meaningful growth and life.

It's a far-from-perfect book, just as the entire series contains some dreadful flaws, but the series has become so classic, in spite of its flaws, that the only possible rating is the full five stars. Especially since, as stated, this is my favorite of the whole pile.

The titular youngsters are Pre-Born. That is, they have almost since the moment of conception and long before birth come to full awareness not only of their own personalities but of every ancestor who ever preceded them, all the way back to ancient Greece on the original home planet. It's a real struggle to keep from going insane with all of that consciousness swimming around inside their heads constantly, and in fact their dad's sister, also Pre-Born, has succumbed to the lure of madness.

But that's the least of their worries. The primary concern they have to face is the fact that in order to carry out their plan for the Golden Path, one of them is going to have to give up their humanity, to become something alien, nearly immortal, nearly all-powerful, without forgetting all of that humanity they carry around inside them all the time. Quite a daunting task! In the fourth book [God Emperor of Dune] we will learn that the transformation doesn't go quite as planned, but for now, here in the third book, it goes pretty nearly as intended, and the results are riveting.

One of the many problems of this book is the inability of most readers to picture nine-year-old children with the insights, knowledge, and power that these two have. [When this book was turned into the final two thirds of an extended miniseries of the same title on the SciFi channel, this issue was circumvented by making the kids nearly-adult teenagers, played by adult actors, which made it much more palatable to most of the audience.] If you're willing to suspend disbelief in that regard, which I have always been, the story line works remarkably well, especially if you have already read the first two books in the series where you can see a foreshadowing of at least half of the plot of this one coming at you through the sands like a gigantic worm, ready to devour you. But wait, he won't eat you if you're related to him!

And thereby hangs a fantastic tale.

This is the third book I have read in the series. I was surprised to find this one deeper and more interesting than the first two books in the series though perhaps it is just more personally relevant. The story of the children describes how each generation must observe and respect the decisions of its parents, but to also recognize that their decisions were based upon a different world, where a different set of parameters and possibilities once existed. It is a story of conscientious and dutiful rebellion.

Muad'dib has sacrificed himself to the desert, Alia is descending into abomination, and the twin heirs to the Atreides legacies are targets is constant peril, yet the true thrust of this book concerns Leto II's (did Herbert forget there was already a Leto II? shouldn't this one be Leto III?) assuming the role his father was unable to truly fill: that of Kwisatz Haderach.
the fastest paced book in the series, Children of Dune almost makes up for Dune Messiah's shortcomings. yet while i was swept along to the conclusion, the air smelled of deus ex machina. it would have been simple for Herbert to include a short passage near the beginning of the novel about Fremen children playing with sandtrout. instead, we are surprised with attributes never before even hinted at.
yet this is still an excellent novel, far better than its predecessor. while it would be nearly impossible to duplicate the original's complexity and subtleties, this and Chapterhouse come closest.

Although he maintains the complexity and insight in his writing, Herbert fails here to achieve the epic quality of the original Dune. I read Children of Dune years ago, after allowing some time to pass between my reading of Dune Messiah, and years from the original Dune. I remember it was very hard to get into and I felt nothing for any of the characters. I recently re-read it immediately after re-reading the first two in sequence, and this time I found the characters a little more likeable & understandable, if slightly inconsistent in their behavior from book to book. The sense of social evolution and an understanding of human's place in their universe is still present in this telling of Dune, but gone are the little nuances that made Herbert's world so alive and intersting. This is more of a completion to the storyline, not as heart-felt and dramatic as the first of the series.

Think of this book as the first act of a new play. It sets the stage. The Children of Dune share much of the same flaws as Dune Messiah. And you will find yourself wondering - half way through - if there really IS a grand plan behind all the jargon, and prophetic technicalities.
Rest assured - there IS!
But it does not lie in this book. Perhaps, I should have said that this book is a conjunction of two different plays. The last act of the first play comes to a very certain end. The old players are all but removed from the stage by the time the curtain closes. But not before new characters are introduced. These new players are to take center stage only in the NEXT book. So, just be patient - and you will be well rewarded.
What is to follow is a Grand Opus - a work so profound that, at times, it even rivals the original Dune itself.
So, go on to the next book, God Emperor of Dune, as soon as you are done with this one - and you will see for yourself what I mean.

This is the best Dune book writen so far. After Messiah some poeple were turned off from the seris, I was one of them. But I read on hoping that it would get better. It did, it go a lot better. In COD Leto II and Ghani who are Paul's twin children, try to keep from becoming an Abonamation. Alia has already become an Abonination and has been taken over by a familar enemy to the Atradies. The Lady Jessican comes back in this book and she and Alia don't get along very well. There is also another new character, The Preacher. Some of the Fremen believe he is Maud'Dib come back from the desert. And there is a conspiracy to kill the twins coming from the Corrino family. But it seems the leader of the Corrino family doesn't even know about it. There is a lot of plotting and thinking going on in this book which I think gives it depth. Leto II is the most fancinating Sci-Fi character ever. And twords the end of this book something really cool happens to him. I won't say what it is cuz it might ruin the book but let me tell you, IF YOU THINK THE BOOK IS DULL IN THE BIGGINNING READ ON. IT WILL GET BETTER.

I have to admit that I enjoyed Children of Dune more than I thought I would. Dune and Dune Messiah were both masterpieces, but the chains of events Paul Muad'Dib set into motion seemed to be winding down by the end of Messiah. I'm happy to say that Children proved me wrong. Much of the book spends time fully fleshing out it's characters, letting us get deep into the heads of Jessica, Alia, Duncan Idaho, Farad'n, and of course the twins Leto II and Ghanima. The additional appearance of a Fremen preacher who seems as though he could be Paul Muad'Dib yet preaches against the ideas of Muad'Dib's followers keeps the direction of the book from becoming predictable. The rest opens up new possibilities that hint at a much grander future of possibilities.
The twins use a plot against them by the Imperial family as a device to start down the true path they feel Dune messiahs should take. This is a path which their father knew, but didn't have the courage to walk down. This "Golden Path" is an extraordinary journey that promises brilliant and awesome possibilities to really pep up the Dune series and take it to a higher level. You'll have to read Leto's beginning down that path to truly get the full picture; I won't spoil it here. Old worlds are examined and new worlds begin in Children of Dune. Experience them for yourself.

Reading some of the other reveiws for the Dune books, i see a repitition of comments like "it's good but it's not close to Dune" stuff. Sure Dune was good, but I think what gives it it's quality is the intricate dialouge and depth of characters. Children of Dune not ony delivers that masterfully, but I belive does it better that Dune did. After twenty pages in to the book I didn't even notice the loss of action. I became enthralled in the text, page after page of witty confrontations between Jessica and twins, Ghani's dispise of Alia, the preacher in the street, Beene Gesrit plots, Fremen rebels...the list goes on. If you enjoy a book that dosen't just keep you interested, but one that really makes you think, this is a must-read for the continuation of the Dune seris.

I was nervous about reading "Children of Dune," because I was not overly fond of "Dune Messiah." However, once I began reading it, I found it to be an exciting, compelling story, filled with many surprises.
The story takes place about ten years after the events in "Dune Messiah." Paul Muad'Dib's sister, Alia, sits as regent over the Empire, until Paul's children Leto II and Ghanima grow up. However the children, like Alia were pre-born with the souls of all their ancestors living inside of them. The story chronicles the corruption of Alia and the struggle between her, and children for control of the empire.
This novel contains a more balanced mix of philosophy and adventure, mixed with very vivid, interesting characters. It is very well worth reading -- though no book can compare with the original "Dune."

Conclusion of the original Dune trilogy, still one of the greatest works of science fiction of all time. Complex and tragic characters. The children at least experience some happiness together before heading off to their destiny. A deep exploration of people who have absolute power but are trapped by it, and sacrifice their own happiness for the long term survival of the human race.

The reader is now safely ensconced in the post-Paul world. That world, filled with excitement, war, discovery and adventure has vanished. The spirit of the Messiah permeates the Universe but something has happened. With the utmost predictability, Mau'dib's words have become codified into holy script and his personhood elevated to divine status. Despite the thinly-veiled "Preacher's" crying in the wilderness, the organized clergy tighten their grip on a theocratic society.
Of course, this is not the vision of Paul. In perhaps the most philosophical novel of the series, the Preacher asks questions and reflects on the times and circumstances. We are introduced to the twins, endowed with Paul's powers. One of my gripes is that the kids spoke and acted like miniature adults. They seemed mature beyond their years in more way than one.
The palace intrigues were captivating as is the suggestion of what was to come from Leto. The element of primitive violence reamains rears its ugly head repeatedly. Especially satisfying was the manner in which the author combined the story lines.
M

I love Dune. It is my favorite book of all time.

The character destruction which is finished in this book is annoying in its pointlessness. Paul was unable to make the choice necessary to save mankind. He was also a corrupting influence on the fremen. He also allowed and encouraged his sister's descent into madness? He abandons his children. He is inhuman in his detachment.

When I take back and look at the Dune series, I can't help but thinking that everything written after book 1 was done solely for monetary gain. Actually, consider the length of time between books, I think my assumption is fairly certain.

Explain to my why:

1 Philosophy took over the franchise at the expense of plot.
2 Paul's accomplishments in prior books needed to be diminished.
3 if Paul's godlike powers are such a problem, why not simply limit his powers and not his personality.

Yes, I know. I'm a bomb-thrower. I'm just angry with the destruction of such a powerful hero, especially when replaced by the personality that is Leito II.

Children of Dune ends the original Dune trilogy. It takes place a few years after Dune Messiah. Paul's children Leto and Ghanima are pawns in the Struggle for power between Alia, Jessica and the nephew of the deposed emperor. However the twins have plans of their own and Leto intends to follow the path that Paul would not folow, while the mysterious preacher lurks in the background.
Compared to Dune Messiah, it is a little lighter on intrigue, and a little lighter on philosophy but there is still plenty of both. A major theme from the first book, ecology, is returned to. Arrakis is slowly being changed from the complete desert it once was. An ecosystem is a very complicated system and change may produce unforssen consequences. Children of Dune is more coherent than the Dune Messiah, but isn't as memorable.

There's no denying Herbert's stylish brilliance, even if he does tend to be a bit prolix at times. However, unlike the richly textured original, this sequel tends to be cold and soulless. This is particularly vexing, because there are abundant attempts at pathos and emotion here which seem to fall flat more often than not.
And perhaps I'm too demanding, but I was completely turned off by the degredation of Paul and Alia. When the time comes for the payoff with these characters, we are utterly cheated. Instead, we get a strangely aloof, unsypathetic, underdeveloped character in Leto II, who, seemingly out of the blue, is thrust upon us as some inexplicable mutant-god, casting aside Maud'Dib like so much garbage. It's baffling and disappointing to me. When I am set up for a payoff, I WANT the payoff dammit. I felt robbed here.
This incongruous, deconstructive conclusion to the original trilogy turns what could have been a great series into an enigmatic jumble. Stick with the original. These sequels only serve to taint that great work.

The twins, Leto II and Ghanima are nine years old now. They have the combined memories of all of their ancestors dating back to ancient Greece, yet thet are still physically children. Meanwhile, Alia, Paul's sister, is ruling as regent and is trying to hold on to power. Dune is beginning to change, and the people are changing with it. Stillsuit discipline is lax and Arrakis is now the center of the interstellar empire. This is the backdrop for the events in this volume of the ongoing saga.

The Bene Gesserit, renegade Fremen who long for the old ways, and a mysterious "Preacher" feature throughout this book. There are many who believe the Preacher to be their Muad'Dib, and while the twins are being groomed to be the new messiahs of the empire, House Corrino is trying to gain their way back to power.

Frank Herbert weaves a complex web of politics and personalities along with the continuing development of the most complex science fiction universe ever created. This is a worthy addition to arguably the best science fiction series of all time.

As the title suggests, this Dune novel, book 3 in the Dune series, focuses on Paul's children. It is an altogether different kind of story than the first two Dune novels, but a great read nonetheless. It starts out with Paul's children receiving clothes as gifts from someone who wants them dead. Publicly refusing the gift would be a slap across the face to the giver, which could start a war, so the Atreides children accept the gift. Larza Tigers have been trained by the giver of the clothing to attack and eat anyone wearing these specific clothes. And the story goes from there. Children of Dune and Heretics of Dune are largely considered to be the third/fourth best novels in the Dune series. If you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one as well. Frank Herbert has a captivating writing style all his own.
...

The third book in the ever great Dune series promises more than you can handle. The book is unpredictable as always, but when the story is enjoyable at the same time we've got a winner.
Frank Herbert paints a new picture of the desert world Dune into your mind, one that will change your view's of the characters. The mind tumbling twists and turns that are taken will hurl the cliffhangers straight at you, and you will continually draw into the story.
The way the whole of plots and story is perfectly fit together makes this book more enjoyable than most others out there, and the long length will garuntee your money's worth. Dune is a great series, Children of Dune is a great sequel.

I think the Dune series is incredibly creative. I also thoroughly enjoyed Paul Atreides descent into misery and death in the second book. It seemed a fitting ending for a character who was already thoroughly unpleasant and amoral in Dune. However, this book reminded me of one of my primary complaints with the series. The dialogue is often incomprehensible nonsense. Characters' motivations and goals are often incomprehensible as well.

I understand that Frank Herbert was writing from the point of view of characters who are effectively inhuman/beyond the comprehension of normal humans, but if your reader can't understand your writing, your writing serves no purpose.

Conclusion of the original Dune trilogy, still one of the greatest works of science fiction of all time. Complex and tragic characters. The children at least experience some happiness together before heading off to their destiny. A deep exploration of people who have absolute power but are trapped by it, and sacrifice their own happiness for the long term survival of the human race.

The reader is now safely ensconced in the post-Paul world. That world, filled with excitement, war, discovery and adventure has vanished. The spirit of the Messiah permeates the Universe but something has happened. With the utmost predictability, Mau'dib's words have become codified into holy script and his personhood elevated to divine status. Despite the thinly-veiled "Preacher's" crying in the wilderness, the organized clergy tighten their grip on a theocratic society.
Of course, this is not the vision of Paul. In perhaps the most philosophical novel of the series, the Preacher asks questions and reflects on the times and circumstances. We are introduced to the twins, endowed with Paul's powers. One of my gripes is that the kids spoke and acted like miniature adults. They seemed mature beyond their years in more way than one.
The palace intrigues were captivating as is the suggestion of what was to come from Leto. The element of primitive violence reamains rears its ugly head repeatedly. Especially satisfying was the manner in which the author combined the story lines.
M

I love Dune. It is my favorite book of all time.

The character destruction which is finished in this book is annoying in its pointlessness. Paul was unable to make the choice necessary to save mankind. He was also a corrupting influence on the fremen. He also allowed and encouraged his sister's descent into madness? He abandons his children. He is inhuman in his detachment.

When I take back and look at the Dune series, I can't help but thinking that everything written after book 1 was done solely for monetary gain. Actually, consider the length of time between books, I think my assumption is fairly certain.

Explain to my why:

1 Philosophy took over the franchise at the expense of plot.
2 Paul's accomplishments in prior books needed to be diminished.
3 if Paul's godlike powers are such a problem, why not simply limit his powers and not his personality.

Yes, I know. I'm a bomb-thrower. I'm just angry with the destruction of such a powerful hero, especially when replaced by the personality that is Leito II.

Children of Dune ends the original Dune trilogy. It takes place a few years after Dune Messiah. Paul's children Leto and Ghanima are pawns in the Struggle for power between Alia, Jessica and the nephew of the deposed emperor. However the twins have plans of their own and Leto intends to follow the path that Paul would not folow, while the mysterious preacher lurks in the background.
Compared to Dune Messiah, it is a little lighter on intrigue, and a little lighter on philosophy but there is still plenty of both. A major theme from the first book, ecology, is returned to. Arrakis is slowly being changed from the complete desert it once was. An ecosystem is a very complicated system and change may produce unforssen consequences. Children of Dune is more coherent than the Dune Messiah, but isn't as memorable.

There's no denying Herbert's stylish brilliance, even if he does tend to be a bit prolix at times. However, unlike the richly textured original, this sequel tends to be cold and soulless. This is particularly vexing, because there are abundant attempts at pathos and emotion here which seem to fall flat more often than not.
And perhaps I'm too demanding, but I was completely turned off by the degredation of Paul and Alia. When the time comes for the payoff with these characters, we are utterly cheated. Instead, we get a strangely aloof, unsypathetic, underdeveloped character in Leto II, who, seemingly out of the blue, is thrust upon us as some inexplicable mutant-god, casting aside Maud'Dib like so much garbage. It's baffling and disappointing to me. When I am set up for a payoff, I WANT the payoff dammit. I felt robbed here.
This incongruous, deconstructive conclusion to the original trilogy turns what could have been a great series into an enigmatic jumble. Stick with the original. These sequels only serve to taint that great work.

The twins, Leto II and Ghanima are nine years old now. They have the combined memories of all of their ancestors dating back to ancient Greece, yet thet are still physically children. Meanwhile, Alia, Paul's sister, is ruling as regent and is trying to hold on to power. Dune is beginning to change, and the people are changing with it. Stillsuit discipline is lax and Arrakis is now the center of the interstellar empire. This is the backdrop for the events in this volume of the ongoing saga.

The Bene Gesserit, renegade Fremen who long for the old ways, and a mysterious "Preacher" feature throughout this book. There are many who believe the Preacher to be their Muad'Dib, and while the twins are being groomed to be the new messiahs of the empire, House Corrino is trying to gain their way back to power.

Frank Herbert weaves a complex web of politics and personalities along with the continuing development of the most complex science fiction universe ever created. This is a worthy addition to arguably the best science fiction series of all time.

As the title suggests, this Dune novel, book 3 in the Dune series, focuses on Paul's children. It is an altogether different kind of story than the first two Dune novels, but a great read nonetheless. It starts out with Paul's children receiving clothes as gifts from someone who wants them dead. Publicly refusing the gift would be a slap across the face to the giver, which could start a war, so the Atreides children accept the gift. Larza Tigers have been trained by the giver of the clothing to attack and eat anyone wearing these specific clothes. And the story goes from there. Children of Dune and Heretics of Dune are largely considered to be the third/fourth best novels in the Dune series. If you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one as well. Frank Herbert has a captivating writing style all his own.
...

The third book in the ever great Dune series promises more than you can handle. The book is unpredictable as always, but when the story is enjoyable at the same time we've got a winner.
Frank Herbert paints a new picture of the desert world Dune into your mind, one that will change your view's of the characters. The mind tumbling twists and turns that are taken will hurl the cliffhangers straight at you, and you will continually draw into the story.
The way the whole of plots and story is perfectly fit together makes this book more enjoyable than most others out there, and the long length will garuntee your money's worth. Dune is a great series, Children of Dune is a great sequel.

I think the Dune series is incredibly creative. I also thoroughly enjoyed Paul Atreides descent into misery and death in the second book. It seemed a fitting ending for a character who was already thoroughly unpleasant and amoral in Dune. However, this book reminded me of one of my primary complaints with the series. The dialogue is often incomprehensible nonsense. Characters' motivations and goals are often incomprehensible as well.

I understand that Frank Herbert was writing from the point of view of characters who are effectively inhuman/beyond the comprehension of normal humans, but if your reader can't understand your writing, your writing serves no purpose.

In the novel Dune, Frank Herbert created an original world of fiction that could go toe to toe with Middle-Earth. In the subsequent novels, like an aging rock star, Herbert has thrown out uninspired mess. While an improvement over Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, the 3rd novel in the Dune series, isn't much better.
Leto and Ghanima Atreides, the twin children of Paul Atreides, are now nine years old and struggling with the curse of being pre-born. When you are pre-born, it means that all of your ancestors exist in your mind, all their memories and experiences are a part of your consciouness. The danger is that one of these memories can rise up and seize control of your mind, a state called "abomination". We could call it possession.
The two twins are being raised by their aunt Alia, also a pre-born, who has taken over the reins of the Empire after the almost certain death of her brother Paul. Along with her priesthood, she holds sway over the world of Arrakis, and thereby holds power over the spice and the universe. The twins learn that she is harboring a horrible secret.
Not everyone is satisfied with Alia's rule. Those Fremen who adhere to the old ways have begun to grumble and to seek ways to reverse what is happening to their planet. Also complicating things are the plots of Farad'n, the grandson of Shaddam IV, the emperor deposed by Paul Atreides. It is up to Leto and Ghanima to renew the dying spirit of Arrakis, and also to avoid the trap of prophecy that claimed their father.
I can't really say I enjoyed this book. I read it. The thing about the first book of the Dune series is that it combined action, politics, philosophy, religion, and other genres. In the next two books, Herbert has taken out all the action and just turned them into almost Platonic dialogues. It's almost as if he got consumed by his message of environmentalism and philosophy and ideas outstripped his talent to portray them. Maybe he was a one book wonder. I'll have to read his non-Dune novels to be a judge of that. When there is action, which probably adds up to two whole scenes comprising about 5 pages of the 400, this book is great. I don't know if I will continue with the series.

once again Herebert has done it. He has added to the maginficent cronicles of the 10000th century imperium. One agian Herbert makes us feel the emotion that flows through the characters, from Duncan's loss of his beloved Alia to abominiation, to Ghadhean Al-Fali's discust at the way the desert has become, to perhaps the most profound, when Leto meets the Preacher in the desert, you can feel the weight of the the word, Paul Muad`Dib was dead, only the preacher remained.
This book, while not as good as its predocessors, is still a mighty book, a beacon in modern SF, perhaps even the third greast book ever written.

I've read Dune several times now, and each time I come away with the impression that it's absolutely brilliant -- really, a great work of literature. I wish Herbert had reread that first work before moving on to the third novel. Aside from details that only a really nitpicky fan like myself would notice (like who Leto II was originally, or that sandtrout were originally imaginary, or what spice essence does), there are some major shifts in how Herbert wrote characters. What made Dune so compelling was the character of Paul (and others). Or, rather, the CHARACTER of Paul. Talk about pathos! Talk about ethos. The character of Paul was not only well-developed, but developed well as the story progressed. I had a sense of real Greatness that reverbrated throughout the novel, and I knew from where that greatness came. It wasn't that Paul had magic powers (not really) or that he happened to be born with memories, but that he always seemed very strong, very tortured, very intelligent, very competent, and very compassionate (though in his own ways). Leto II and Ghanima are none of these. I don't respect them, since, despite the assurances of the author, they seem consistently young and incompetent. Nor are they ever pathetic characters -- I find myself half hoping that *they'll* be the ones thrown out windows, if only to keep the dozen actually *interesting* characters alive. Leto II's transformation is nothing short of magical (in the perjorative sense), and, emotionally, I can't be moved by it. Simply confused.
Finally, the degradation of Paul and Alia, while interesting, simply don't sit well with me. By novel's end, they cease to be the truly Great characters that they originally were, and a reader, I think, feels that loss and is cheated by it. Too, readers are cheated by the deaths of Paul and Alia. Paul's death especially is anti-climatic and contrary to the buildup in all three novels, and his death is far too pitiful and simple for such an originally wonderfully written character. And while Alia's suicide might be understandable, having her jump out a window, out of control, is just silly.
Herbert ought, I feel, to have simply stayed with Paul and Alia; attempting to create characters superior to them simply created soulless, annoying characters that based all their power on inexplicable magic rather than strength of character. (Yeah, I know the Voice is semi-magical, but it's acceptable and even semi-understandable as the extension of strength of character.) Why not stick with Alia and Paul? The plot and the characters finally seem to have nothing to do with anything outside of Dune. Gone are any relationship to real religion, real politics, real anything. Dune was great literature because, in the end, it was really about people and understandable situtations, not character-less characters solving inexplicable problems in inexplicable ways. Too much pure sci-fi and not enough pathos.

This was better than Dune Messiah, but not as good as Dune. After the third turn, things got really interesting. I'm interested to see what happens in the next book....and when in time it will be set.

As Paul's children grow, they also display some superhuman talents. The problems with their Aunt Alia increase.

The leadership of Arrakis realise that their Jihad is basically out of control, and the ecological changes they are bringing to the planet with basically bring spice production to an end.

Paul's son Leto, later on, has a plan. His aunt is controlled by her memory of Baron Harkonnen, and this must be dealt with, and he must get Stilgar onside for his plan of the 'Golden Path'.

After consulting Paul and others, Leto has enabled a sandtrout skin to cover his body, giving him superhuman strength, speed and resistance to go along with his mental abilities.

He brings things to a head with his aunt, and enables her to gain enough control to kill herself, ending the Harkonnen threat within her.

With Leto's new powers and demonstrations of such, he proclaims himself Emperor, and brings the Fremen under his control again.

Alright, there's no question in my mind that Herbert is one of the all-time masters. There are very few who give him any sort of challenge. Even if you go beyond the Dune Chronicles, to his earlier works, you see that it is obvious he is a master of the un-happy ending. I loved Children of Dune. It redeemed Messiah and lightened God Emperor. Focusing on little Leto and Ghanima gave the story a new facet and the end....oh boy. I'm not too old, but I am somewhat well-read, and these books, Children of Dune right along with them, are still among my favorites. Frank is one of my idols and it pains me to think that he will write no more.

Rarely has a book been as beautifully and poniontly written as Children of Dune, Frank Herbert's third book in the Dune Chronicles. Filled with all of the original cast and several new charecters, Children of Dune explores like its predecessors the creation of Gods and Messiahs from men, albeit prodigal men, but men nonetheless; the creations of empires and the development of societies; and the relationships that bind people together throughout the ages.

In short, a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

Children of Dune, the third book of the Dune chronicles, tells the story of the Atreides destiny after the disappearance of Muad'dib. The children of Muad'dib, Leto and Ghanima, now must take up the heavy burden left by their father. Old faces pop up, and there are many plot twists (but do we expect any less from Herbert's grand work?). The scope of this book is much broader than in Dune Messiah, which makes it a more enjoyable read. How can a series of books continue to produce, particularly under such heavy expectations? Who knows, but Children of Dune continues the rich tradition of the series

I still feel that this book has a lot of what I fell for when I first read Dune...it's got that mysticism mixed with sci-fi mixed with human nature that I can not stop reading! The turns that this book took I can not say were completely unexpected but there were a few that I either did not understand at first or were just outside my scope.

This book lays the groundwork for the rest of the Dune Series. Litto II and his sister are young children now, almost adolescents.
It is not known what happened to their Father Paul. A few remnants of the old books survive in Gerny Hallack and Stilgar who no their best to safeguard the kids. But all 4 will be caught up in the vast changes sweeping the planet Arrakis, as their world Dune starts to die. Or that is, the deserts dry up.
A great book as always interspersed with that wonderful Frank Herbert poetry adding a new depth to the story, a must for any serious Sci-fi fan.

I started reading this book with a lot of hope. I knew a little bit about the return of Paul as the Preacher and the amazing transformation Leto II would undergo. But this initial excitement dwindled and I found myself plodding ahead and looking forward to the end. I cannot really say that I 'enjoyed' reading Children of Dune, although it contains several neat, exciting scenes. Personally, Leto's quest, the Preacher's teachings, and the adventures in the deep desert were the high points of the book.
But all along, Ghanima and Leto feel like the core of the story, and so whenever they are offscreen, the action seems pointless and the story bogs down. You can just tell that whatever is going on with Leto is going to overwhelm the more minor manueverings of Alia, Jessica, Farad'n, etc... And that is exactly what happens. But Leto's journey is pretty amazing and sets the course for the future Dune books (which I have not read).
My major complaint is not with the plot or characters of Children of Dune. It is with Herbert's style. He presents each character and each scene as supremely important, even when they are not. This becomes very tiresome and robs the author of credibility. Hindsight is 20/20, and with hindsight one can see that much of what occurred in Children of Dune is peripheral. (Consider: how would the ending of the book change if Duncan had not goaded Stilgar into killing him, if Alia had arrested and killed the Preacher, if Farad'n hadn't even existed?) This would be all right if these events were treated as peripheral, but they are not. Herbert brings the same grave seriousness to every single scene, and I lost interest in this seriousness about halfway through Book 2.

Compelling because it is a fully realized world with its own logic, but it feels like a cold-war document of amoral struggle for domination. Also, it's a pretty sexist universe considering how many of the main characters are women.

The original "Dune" is one of the best books I've ever read, and although not as good as the original, "Children of Dune" is better than "Dune Messiah". The ending feels somewhat familiar to the original "Dune", the story is slower, and one could say Frank Herbert jumped the shark with Leto's embrace of the Golden Path; but the scheming and dialogue are right up there with the original, with the Preacher's "heretical" speeches, the twins' plotting, Leto's philosophizing, Alia's internal struggle with Abomination and the Lady Jessica's Bene Gesserit wisdom as some of my personal favorites. Even if you felt like quitting after "Dune Messiah", you owe it to yourself to read "Children of Dune".

I recently came into knowledge of the "Dune" series, and so far this book is not my favorite. It lacked the complexity of that world created by Herbert on "Dune", and the story did'n't catch me like "Dune Messiah". This book runs through several storylines, and the one I found the most interesting was Leto's journey of self-discovery in the desert (which is essential to know if you're going to read the Fourth Book), but the whole thing is too long and sometimes runs thin on you. It's still a great story, but it wasn't as effective as its predecessors.

This book is way better than the second book, but it still does not fulfill the expectations left from the first book. Leto and his sister "spoils of war" are growing up and dealing with all the political intrigue and double crossing that Dune readers are familiar with. I really liked Alia befor this book, but Herbert ruined her here. This whole book screams "man strong, woman weak!" It almost seems as if Herbert writes himself into a hole and has to dig himself out. This book like the second lacks the vision of the original. It was interesting though and is not a waste of time. Recommended to those whom really want more Dune.

I am amazed by the complexity of these novels....
They are tremendous.
Ghanimina and Leto have knowledge of all the Reverend Mothers before them.
Alia is fighting not to become an Abomonation.
The Preacher, and the complexity.
I know that you know that she knows that he knows whats going on, and therefore I am going to do this.
How Herbert got these three books to make any kind of logical sense is pretty remarkable.
Hats off to a true masterpiece.

....and tell sad stories of the death of kings?" Here many threads come together into a climax of monumental scope, and humanity sets out on the Golden Path...a path with a suspicious wideness to it. What do you think of Leto's plan? Frank Herbert foresaw this as the last DUNE book. It wasn't, of course, but the children of Muad'Dib have a plan of their own (as fictional characters often do, even in defiance of their author)....a plan that will set the Imperium on a strange course indeed.

I really enjoyed reading this book especially since the second part was very short. This book is very well written and everything is falling into place. A well planned book, and I really loved how the children of Paul develop. This is where we realise that the real hero isnt Paul after all. By taking the decision that Paul has always feared, his son Leto is about to accomplish a feat that will make his father's work seem trivial, hes about to build a new world order.

I have read the Dune trilogy for the first time as a very young adult, and it made a very large impact. It opened up a complete new world to my already over-active imagination.

The Dune Universe, is anything but simple or easily digestable: filled with dark and soul tortured characters in a highly political structure, with creatures, technological and ecological ideas that can only come from a genius - The Dune trilogy is simply a masterpiece, and not just in the Science Fiction genre...

Children of Dune, is the climax of the Trilogy Masterpiece.

after GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, which talk me almsot half a year. However, CHILDREN OF DUNE is not half as mundane as GOD EMPEROR... quite the opposite. Indeed, it was so fascinating that I would often re-read chapters over and over until I had fully absorbed every mililiter of genius this novel contains. DO NOT buy the TV series w/out the book!!! The miniseries cuts out WAY too much. This is one of the most mystical, entertaining novels ever conceived.

Superb!

The Dune series continues, it hits a high point with Children of Dune. This is by far, the best of the first three books in Frank Herbert's epic sci-fi series. Though Chani has died and Paul has wandered off into the wilderness desert of Dune, the Atredies twins, Leto and Ghanima, live on as pre-borns. The two children gain the knowledge of a time long forgotten by history, they see their aunt Alia change into a demon, possessed by the old Baron Harkonneon. As the twins learn about Alia and tell Jessica, their grandmother, they also hear about an attempt from the previous ruling house to assassinate them both. Leto decided to follow "the Golden Path" which would result is chaos that would eventually give peace and prosperity to the Imperium. As Leto begins his plans for the Golden Path, an old, wind torn man became coming to Arrakeen, preaching heresy against Alia and her priests. He gained the name, The Preacher, and would make regular visits to the city. Alia, already distressed and angered, feels hatred towards this man that thinks he can berate the religion and empire that she controlled. Soon, Alia turns her disgust on her mother, kidnapping her and sending her to Salusa Seculas, where the house of Corrino waits. This book deserves five stars because it is one of the best books I have ever read. Its combination of adventure, suspense, and power struggle turns it into an all-time great book. This is one book that everyone should read at sometime during his or her life. Though sci-fi, the way that Frank Herbert wrote the book should appeal to all, even those who never thought that they would read and enjoyable science fiction book in their lives.

To be honest, this book started out very slow for me. The first 100 pages just seemed to drag, as if you were getting no where with the story. Then, as the reading process continued, it just kept getting better, and better, and better -- right up until the end where it concluded in astonishing brilliance! The reading gets slow at times, and light speed at others, but all in all this was an excellent book and well deserves 4 stars. Yet another sci-fi neccessity!

Enjoyed re-reading this third book in the series. I don't think I appreciated it as much the first time I read it. Now I got more of the philosophy and deeper questions Herbert was exploring. Now looking forward to reading God Emperor of Dune again with new insights. .

Still not as good as Dune was but a little better then Dune Messiah. I loved the characters of Leto II and Ghani Atreides, I liked how the made you feel that you really didn't lose Chani and Paul in the last book, and who really is the Preacher, is it really Paul or is it just some religous nut, you better read and find out. Since you have read this much of Dune why not go a little further into dune lets say 3000 years in the future.

This book was slower than the first two, and it took me awhile to get used to not being in Paul's perspective, however, this book is full of interesting world plot, and is super quotable. I would read it again.

Concluding the first three DUNE books, this is a triumphant finalé! Bringing Paul and his two children to their final, and (depending on how you look at it) most chilling, hours. Out of all six books I would vote this as one of the best. Not only out of the DUNE Chronicles, but of the genre itself. Frank Herbert was a genius in so many ways, this bridges all of his ideas and philosophies, making for an excellent read.

Well written...As one whose first introduction to the DUNE series was the original movie, it was great to be able to see into the history of the settings and background of all the main characters. The author was been able to cleverly relate all the philosophies & incidents involved to what is actually happening in today's world. After reading Dune, Winds of Dune and Children of Dune, I have started God Emperor of Dune.

Me, being a Dune fanatic forced myself to complete Children of Dune. Dune, is a unparralled masterpiece sporting unique, deep, and admirable characters, a balance between religeon / philosophy and action, and a devious plot. Dune Messiah and Children of Dune are slighly depressing to read, seeing the noble House Atreids degenerate from loyal soldiers and warmasters to the highly religeous Fremen, whom Herbert focuses on too much in the later books. The House becomes corrupt and too overly powerful. Messiah is frustrating to read because Paul accepts all the problems, curses them, and does nothing. Herbert cleverly brings back Duncan Idaho, a mysteriously dangerous character but does not creat anymore diabolical characters like the masterful Piter de Vries or the clever Thufir Hawat. Children of the Dune becomes a mass of religous rites, quotes, and discussions focusing on the all too powerful Leto Atreides II. It then degenerates even farther when he startes turning into a sandworm. It pains me to say it, being an avid Dune reader, but that is one of the stupididest and most unthoughtful things that Herbert has ever written. I guess he thinks that he can get away with murder because he wrote ONE masterpiece and that everyone with read his other books not matter what he puts in them. That one act turns that series into Superman parody which disgusts me. The Bene Gessirit techniques and adepts I can believe but not that. DO NOT READ CHILRDREN OF DUNE OR AND BOOKS AFTER. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Like others I was hesitant to read "Children of Dune." "Dune Messiah" is my favorite, although it lacked the noteworthyness of "Dune", and I was worried "CoD" would repeat that mistake.
When entering into "Children of Dune" I was entering into a new generation, a new group of Atreides, and I did not know what to expect. However, I was met with unsurpassed gracefull writing, and a story that captures you from the start.
Immediatly we are thrust into the minds of the Atreides twins, Leto and Ghanima, as they discuss the complex problem of their aunt's abomination, in tongues not used for centuries. These children are exciting, complex, and breath takingly beautiful.
The sub plots of the story are just as intriguing.
The evil Winciscia has not given up her quest to regain the thrown for house Corrino, and Irulan is magnificent in even her smaller role.
Having lost two of the center characters in "Dune Messiah", Paul and Chani, I almost expected to be bored and lost. But I was met with wonderment at characters like Leto II and Ghanima, and the beautifly written return of Muad'dib as The Preacher.
"Children of Dune" takes you on an adventure as Alia falls into the depts of possession, Arrakis looses it's grip on the Spice, and Leto II finds his quest for the Golden Path.
"Children of Dune" is a deserving addition the the Dune Chronicles, and deserves a read from Dune fans.

"Children of Dune" is the third novel in the "Dune Chronicles" resuming nine years after the previous book. The writing style returns to the comprehensive detail of the opening chronicle with its strength in grammar and vocabulary.

The storyline focuses on Ghanima and Leto II, the twins by Chani and Paul Muad'dib, and Paul's sister Alia, regent after Muad'dib left his empire into the desert as per Fremen tradition due to his blindness. Having left Arrakis over twelve years ago, the controversial Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica makes an appearance under questionable motives to participate in the twin's development. The mysterious Preacher addressing the masses against the current political situations creates vast intrigue since no one else would dare oppose the highly religious government abandoned by Paul Muad'dib. Duncan Idaho participates throughout, adding depth to a character briefly featured in the original and strongly suspected in the second book. Leto II tackles the prescience talent, undergoing major philosophical dialogue that is meticulous yet a very interesting point of view.

Using the Fremen Language generates a sluggish time of reading. Personally, I would prefer a statement of "says in Fremen" as opposed to the actual gibberish then the translation. No appendixes conclude the novel but still a glossary would have sufficed. As with about every film-based novel, I would suggest at least not watching the movie prior to reading the book if not forgoing the movies thereby leaving the series entirely to the imagination.

I highly recommend the series to any fan of the science fiction genre.

Thank you.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this book just gets weirder and weirder until the end. Oh how I wish Herbert had not written this book, for it gives me a lesser opinion of his work. Dune was such an amazingly great book, but the sequels, Dune Messiah (and to a greater extent) this book are very disatisfactory.
I have vowed to myself not to read any more Dune books because, after reading this book, I am convinced Herbert's universe will get more and more convoluted and bizarre until finally a stuffed donkey will possess Maud'Dib's dead body to set in motion a chain of events eventually leading to a three-way marriage between the Lady Jessica, Stilgar, and a 200-meter sandworm.

I normally dont read books more than once. Dune (book 1) is an exception. I have read that one 3 times and would read it again. The imagination of Mr Herbert is awe inspiring. I was hoping the same quality of story and writing would continue, but alas that is not the case. Dune Messiah was a decent read but it tends to be a bit slow. Children of Dune was an even bigger dissapointment. This book is slow and very repetative. I mean how many times do we have to hear about the "pre-born" and their abilities? How many times do we have to hear about the Atreides twins taking offense at being called children? It just goes on and on. Anyhooo...I think I will give the next book a shot because so many reviewers gave it high marks. Lets hope Book 4 is better, otherwise I'm done.

For me this book is a bridge between the story of Muad`dib and the next part of the series, God Emperor. That in itself is an even bigger bridge to the later books in the series. I find however that GE stands up a little better on its own. Dont know anyone who actually reads these books without the sequence, but I think that Children out of the First 4 novels relies too much on its other parts... Its still great though...!

What I thought to be interesting in this book is the fact that the two tweens remember everything of their ancestors and must fight to live their own lives. It is more than an action story, it is a book about psichology and the real nature of man which goes beyond the machine.

As a precursor, I would have assigned three and a half stars were it possible. Children of Dune is an average piece of work. It doesn't really break any new ground. It strikes me as an interesting hybrid of Dune and Dune Messiah, in that it possesses a semblance of Dune's action, mystery, and political intrigue while also being somewhat bogged down in Dune Messiah's slow pace. Don't feel compelled to read this unless you're interested in reading the rest of the series. This book does not add to the first two books, in my opinion.

This book is so cool, it ties the first two into it so well, and is so full of surprises that I need to be careful not to spoil it for those unfortunate enough not to have read this. WOW. I think Herbert created such an interesting and intriguing story that I just want to slap all these apparent English majors who want to bash him for whatever random sentence in the book might be a little confusing...next thing you know they'll want to breathe our air too. But seriously, once you get past the first half, this is possibly harder to put down than DUNE. A fun read...and you won't believe the plot twists.

Out of all the books in the Dune Chronicles, Children of Dune is my second favorite (right next to Dune). I see Children of Dune sorta like Episode 3 will be like. Anakin becomes powerful and evil. While Leto 2 does not become evil he does gain power and a suffocating grip on humanity, which will make you feel like he is evil in God Emperor of Dune, but he is not. The book shows that even the power of the Kwisatz Haderach and precognition (Muad'Dib's powers) is not limited to just adults. Oh yeah, you thought the Baron Harkonnen was dead. Think again.

This series is the best in all scifi. It puts Tolkien to shame a hundred times over. The plots are complicated, but actually MAKE SENSE!!!!!! Tolkien on the other hand seemed convinced to only write one series, so he wrote LOTR, but put in mindless information about everyones lineage that should have been turned into a prequel, and not included. But this tells us what we need to know, and that's it.

In Chilredn of Dune, much of the action and intregue which compelled the reader in the fist two novels has been traded in for long disserations on philosophical and religious ponderings. But, nonetheless, Children of Dune still provies the reader an outstanding read.

Not the full version. Imagine purchasing this for about a dollar less than the full version and seeing "by full version 999" when you open the book to read it. Major rip off not sure why it does this but watch out.

In this third installment, the story turns to a slower moving Space Opera that spans over 400 pages. Every 5 or 10 pages, the scene changes and we see different characters usually engaged in some political plotting and scheming. Most of the book progresses in this fashion. The problem is there are no truly sympathetic characters to make this story compelling to the reader. The characters making repeat appearances (Jessica, Alia, Stilgar) seem to be either dumber or more evil than before. The Atreides twins, Leto and Ghanima, are the only characters who do much of anything interesting. Despite all that I'd still say it is better than your average dime store sci-fi novel so I gave it 3 stars. Although, to the casual reader, this may prove to be a long and arduous slog.

This the third book in the Dune series I felt was kind of a depressing end to the story line of Paul and his imediate family. The first book in the series really does outshine the next two in its scope and thoroughness. You can really tell Frank Herbert was trying to extend his Arrakis roots with the way he hints to previous events before the time of the first novel and so forth.
All in all, its an ok read. It is worth it just to finish out the plotline established in the first book.

In Dune Messiah Paul Atreides discovers that he is too human to be a god and decides to relinquish the throne. In Children of Dune his son Leto II discovers that the only way to rule the universe is to become a god and relinquishes his humanity. I read Dune about 15 years ago and have finally gotten around to reading the sequels. I found that each installment in the series has been more fascinating than the previous one. Now on to God Emperor of Dune.....

HOUSE ATREIDES FILLS IN MANY OF THE BLANKS THAT ARE ONLY HINTED AT IN THE ORIGINAL SERIES. WE ARE INTRODUCED TO THE FLEDGELING LETO ATREIDES,THE EVIL AND TWISTED BARON VLADIMIR HARKONNEN, AND THE NOBLE PAULUS ATREIDES. THERE IS A CONTINUED GREAT FEEL TO THE NEW STORY AS WAS FELT IN DUNE. WE ARE GIVEN A VERY PERSONAL VIEW OF HOW YOUNG LETO ATREIDES MUST BECOME A LEADER BEFORE HIS TIME AFTER THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF HIS FATHER. LUSH AND BRUTAL LOCALES ARE ALSO A TREAT; FROM THE LOVELY WATER COVERED PLANET CALADAN TO THE DESERT FILLED BUT MYSTERIOUSLY INTOXICATING ARRAKIS(DUNE), THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY SCIENCE FICTION FAN EVEN IF YOU AREN'T A FAN OF HERBERT'S WORK.

This is currently the last Dune book I've read, I have yet to read God Emperor and the others, along with the prequel. But Children of Dune, in my opinion, is just as good as the original. Even though it's packed with philosophy and can get boring at times (at get very exciting, also), the book is truly amazing. Also, one more note. This goes out to the other reviewers: Stop spoiling it! Your job is to REVIEW, not to give the summary!

"Children of Dune" is not a bad book, but I got bored with it and with the whole series. I remember starting the fourth book of the series and putting it down after 5 or 10 pages because I could not take it any longer. However, "Children ..." is decent enough and does help wrap up some of the story threads that started with "Dune" Unfortunately, I found it to be work to get done with it.

I always am amazed that this series has been so popular. In my opinion the first three books start with a great book, then fade. I could not take some of the sillyness of the rest of the series.

Frank Herbert continues the legacy of Dune books with the third instalment, Children. This book is not for those who can't keep up with plot twists. After Paul dies his legacy lives on through his twin children, both of which are blessed with his abuility to see the future. I don't want to spoil any suprises, so all I'll say is that this is another bullseye for Mr. Herbert.

Short version:

the narration is absolutely terrible, but you have no other alternative. This is just a "heads up" so that you know what to expect....

Long version:
This is a review of the audio book, not the novel. the novel and the author are excellent and Children of Dune is sometimes considered to be the best of the "original" sequels (before the plotlines become incredibly convoluted and diverged from the characters introduced in the original novel).

I have listened to most of the audio books made from the Dune novels. I have listened to all of the Frank Herbert audio books and all but the "interlude" novels by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson (the "Legend" series, the "Prelude" series, and the final 2 sequels to the original series: a total of 6 original + 8 new audio books = 14 total)

anyone who has heard them knows that you listen to a lot of Scott Brick (he does most of the newer novels and acts as a "Co-Narrator" on some of the original novels like Dune and Dune Messiah).

I fully admit that House Atreides and House Corrino (prelude books 1 and 3) have a relatively A-Tonal, boring narrator....

but that guy (Michael Pritchard) at least makes a reasonable effort.

This is, by far, and without question, the absolute worst audio book I have ever heard in my entire life.

It is legitimately comical, because the narrator almost makes an effort to sound completely A-tonal and give absolutely no narrative emphasis whatsoever. He reads relatively fast (most audio book narrators read slightly slower)....

Children of Dune is filled with even more "philosophy" and literal heaps of metaphors.

in fact, CoD has more philosophy and metaphorical writing than Dune or Dune Messiah (the 2 novels that came before).

there are many many scenes in which the protagonist (Leto II) is siting around, tripping on spice, and just spouting endless amounts of nonsensical Eastern philosophy...

that is all well and good, but when the narrator is reading those sections in a very very bland, A-tonal voice, with absolutely no emphasis whatsoever....

no metering

no pacing

just a continuous "word per minute" rate....

it becomes torturous.

It really is a joke. I am serious. You could easily find a section of the audio book and put it on Saturday Night Live and everyone would understand your joke without any explanation.

But as I have already hinted at the beginning, you really have no alternative.

I may have missed it, but as far as I know, this is the only Children of Dune audio book (my experience shows that there is a degree of industry protection to prevent a "better" studio from releasing multiple different versions of the same audio book to steal business from another, older, studio)...

thus you have no choice!!!! you have to deal with this guy.

just be glad that the plot is relatively easy to follow. It would have been much much much much worse if this guy narrated God Emperor of Dune!

The first dune novel was fantastic. Exciting, well paced, great characters, amazingly creative. However, the follow books I find become very vague, and needlessly complicated. As the story progresses I found that too many concepts had to be filled in by the reader, as herbert refuses to explain them. I struggled through god emporer, and now can't manage to sit through the remaining two books. My advice, read Dune, and just use your imagination to fill in what happens afterwards, it'll be more rewarding that way

As the children grow up, they are set on a collision path with those who killed their father, reclaiming their heritage. The author does a fantastic job of bringing you into as strange an environment as anyone can imagine. The most impossible things become everyday experiences in the world of Dune.

I got this book as a present because my previous copy was tattered. However the way these books have been published is an insult to the series. The pages have such tiny margins on either side, it is impossible to hold the book without your thumb covering up part of the print. In fact the inner margin is so small that you have to flatten the book's spine in order to read it. The print is smaller than the previous edition, and the whole thing is so cheaply made that I returned it. Part of the enjoyment of reading a book is the actual physical presence of the book on your senses. If that is interrupted by poor publishing methods, it makes it difficult to enter the intangible realms that a book offers. Beware of this edition with this particular cover. Look for the earlier editions.

The story carries on from Dune the Messiah. I did not know how old children were during this time period. And there was not any resolution to the problem of "The Preacher". Aleah is still crazy and that was never resolved either. The story could have given more details.

Children of Dune, the third installment in the Dune saga is definitely a worthy read, following the epic events in Frank Herbert's novels Dune and Dune and Dune Messiah. Beautifully written and envisioned, Children of Dune takes us deep into the imperial intrigue and struggle for galactic domination between the victorious House Atreides and their Fremen Allies against Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV and the evil House Harkonnen. Here we can clearly see the slow, but inevitable transformation of a barren home of spice mélange into a lush, green water rich paradise envisioned by the Fremen mythology and the visions of the imperial planetologist Liet Kynes. Children of the Mentat Emperor Paul Muad'Dib are facing a dire threat to their very existence from their enemies trying to wrestle the imperial power form the twins. Their Aunt Alia is slowly succumbing to the shocking secret side effect of spice birth, a possession by the genetic memory of their mortal enemy. Children of Dune is a novel that captured the hearts of countless millions. The saga of Dune continues in this amazing literary masterpiece that has yet to find its equal.

David Crane

Ok I thought this book was the most god awful thing that I had ever read besides an Agatha Christe book and the Silmarilian. I loved all the other books of this series except this one. The only reason I continued to read this novel was so that I whould know what was going on in God Emperor Dune. I even had to read a different book just to get that book out of my system.

As the children grow up, they are set on a collision path with those who killed their father, reclaiming their heritage. The author does a fantastic job of bringing you into as strange an environment as anyone can imagine. The most impossible things become everyday experiences in the world of Dune.

I got this book as a present because my previous copy was tattered. However the way these books have been published is an insult to the series. The pages have such tiny margins on either side, it is impossible to hold the book without your thumb covering up part of the print. In fact the inner margin is so small that you have to flatten the book's spine in order to read it. The print is smaller than the previous edition, and the whole thing is so cheaply made that I returned it. Part of the enjoyment of reading a book is the actual physical presence of the book on your senses. If that is interrupted by poor publishing methods, it makes it difficult to enter the intangible realms that a book offers. Beware of this edition with this particular cover. Look for the earlier editions.

The story carries on from Dune the Messiah. I did not know how old children were during this time period. And there was not any resolution to the problem of "The Preacher". Aleah is still crazy and that was never resolved either. The story could have given more details.

Ok I thought this book was the most god awful thing that I had ever read besides an Agatha Christe book and the Silmarilian. I loved all the other books of this series except this one. The only reason I continued to read this novel was so that I whould know what was going on in God Emperor Dune. I even had to read a different book just to get that book out of my system.

There is an effort here to go back to the original style, but it is still full of boring political drabble. Then superworm comes to the rescue and makes everyone bow down to him. The end, and no more Dune for William.

Worst book I have ever read/listened to in my life. Awful, awful, awful! Kept hoping something interesting would happen or at least an intriguing element to the storyline, but there was nothing. Would give it zero stars if it were possible.

This book is too hard to read. I'd much rather see KJA and Brian rewrite this for today's audience. If I hadn't read Paul of Dune I wouldn't have any idea what was going on at the beginning of this book. Seems silly to skip around like that when it's all about Paul anyway. Too confusing.