Children of Dune: Deluxe Edition Hardcover – April 4, 2023

I continue to make my later-in-life-than-expected trek through Frank Herbert's "Dune" series, and I have to say that the trilogy of "Dune," "Dune Messiah," and "Children of Dune" is an incredibly satisfying, fascinating, and confounding unified tale that entirely exceeds my expectations.While "Dune" gets all the Hollywood fame, or infamy, as novels it is really most appropriate to consider the first three books as a unified trilogy along the lines of "Lord of the Rings," as Herbert's cautionary tale of the risks created by charismatic leaders only bears its full fruit after three all three books. It's safe to say that "Children of Dune" is the craziest of the three books, including a morphing of one of the lead characters into something beyond human as well as demonic possession.I don't want to get into the plot - this book has been summarized and analyzed to death. Just get yourself a copy of the first trilogy and start reading, and you will be inspired for the highly recommended re-read.This Deluxe hardcover edition is a fine edition. Beautiful artwork for the cover and inside covers, and a few hidden gems I won't spoil.

Children of Dune is the third installment in Frank Herbert’s acclaimed Dune series, continuing the story that began with Dune and Dune Messiah.It picks up a generation after the previous book’s events, focusing on twins Leto and Ghanima Atreides, who assume leadership of the planet Arrakis following their parents’ deaths.In many ways, Children of Dune is a coming-of-age story as the twins grapple with the burdens and powers bestowed upon them.- Leto possesses precognitive abilities that allow him to glimpse possible futures.- Ghanima can read the genetic memories of their ancestors.Both struggle with the godlike reverence they are shown by the Fremen people of Dune and the oppressive Golden Path laid out by their prescient visions.As in the prior books, Herbert richly imagines the indigenous Fremen culture and spans vast epochs of time.- Politics, religion, ecology, and humanity’s relationship with technology are profoundly explored.- The interplay between free will and destiny makes for fascinating philosophical contemplation.- Meanwhile, the scope and complexity continue to thrillingly build Herbert’s meticulously engineered Dune universe.Overall, Children of Dune is a compelling and thought-provoking installment that deepened my understanding of Herbert’s Dune masterwork and left me eagerly anticipating the story’s climax.

Fantastic story telling, with smooth interweaving of lore and world building. Frank Herbert takes his writing style to the next level in this installment of the Dune Saga and introduces a set of new heroes ready to take on their own odyssey!I have to say though, Alia, in the original work here is way more obnoxious, heartless and I honestly couldn't have cared less for her in Herbert's original portrayal versus the mini series adaption. Herbert made a great villain out of her and he ensures justice is served to her by the end of this chapter in Dune.Another amazing thing about book three is that it provides ample examples where Herbert makes it clear that Paul is not a Tyrant and he did NOT approve of the Jihad. There's examples of this in Messiah as well, but I think what a lot of modern audiences fail to understand is that the modern (Villnueve) adaption is not cannon and not accurate to the characters or the original work/message of Herbert. Any and all of those people who have that perspective should definitely read, at least, up to this book, in the series. Because if nothing else, if modern audiences think Paul is bad... they obviously haven't heard of Leto II or aren't familiar enough with his story to know just how Tyrannical he is, next to his father.Amazing work by Herbert, can't wait to read the next one!