Rating: 4 out of 5
It has been twelve years since the Battle of Arakeen at the end of the first book, Dune. Since then, Paul Atreides's Fremen warriors have burst out of the planet Arrakis Dune and have waged Holy War or Jihad against the Imperium bringing everyone to their knees and resulting in the mass slaughter of millions of lives. And now Paul has not only established himself the absolute ruler of the known universe, but also as the leader of a powerful religion: the religion of Muad'Dib, of which his sister Alia is the High Priestess. Having finally established some kind of order, there can be hope of peace, at last.
Or is there? Factions are plotting against Paul, but they do not wish to eliminate him. Instead forces are seeking to control the most powerful man in history. The Bene Gesserit wish to take back their Kwisatz Haderach. The Spacing Guild wish to take back control of the Spice. The Princess Irulan, wife of the Emperor only on paper, wishes to take what she thinks is hers by right. Further, the shape-shifting Bene Tleilax are entering the power games arena, but their purposes are as mysterious as their race. And the key to everyone's plan is a recreated human made from the cells of someone long-dead. In this case, that particular someone was once a beloved mentor who gave up his life for the sake of Paul and his mother.
That is only a small glimpse of the complexities woven by the masterful hand of Frank Herbert as he continues the saga of Dune. In Dune Messiah, Herbert continues the story of Paul Atreides, a man trapped in his own prophesy which he is trying hard to escape. But if one expected to have an idea of where the story was going after reading the first book, they're in for a surprise. Frank Herbert throws dozens of curve balls into the plot and while characters from Dune make their return, none are quite so familiar anymore. Events of the past twelve years have taken their effect on all of them and it is not sure what their motives are anymore.
Furthermore, Frank Herbert takes the book into a different writing style, moving away from the emphasis on action towards a more cerebral and philosophical story-telling. In effect, Dune Messiah serves to finally explain away the motives and events of the first book, and takes each of the characters to their real conclusions. This departure from the previous style, though it might possibly chase away some readers who are expecting the same space opera-type, fantasy feel that was felt in Dune, elevates the story from what was already a spectacular epic, evolving it into something with more depth and soul and complexity that would become the basis of the colossal storyline that would span seven books (cut short, unfortunately by the untimely death of the great novelist). If Dune is the main dish of the series, Dune Messiah is the (forgive the pun) spice that would give it its lasting taste.
In it, Frank Herbert continues to explore his deep themes. He looks at the dangers of combining religion and government and the effects of each towards each other throughout the course of human history. Herbert dares to ask the question: "What manner of weapon is religion when it becomes the government?" And some people may not like his answer. He continues his exposition on leadership, fanaticism and hero worship. And it is in this story that he introduces one of his enduring creations, a concept that would become one of the major plotpoints, and be the main character in all the suceeding books (in a weird kind of way only Frank Herbert could imagine): the ghola of Duncan Idaho. And it is, ironically, through this cloned human, Frank Herbert examines what it means to be alive.
The problem with sequels is that it places in the reader an expectation of what the succeeding stories would be like setting it up for to possibly become a disappointment for its fans. It is only through the genius of Frank Herbert that he was able to pull of a great book that goes against what was expected of it, both in literary style and the course of the plot. Frank Herbert concludes the story of Paul Atreides in a way nobody expects and does it way that is exhilirating and satisfying, but tragic and bittersweet at the same time.
It is possible that one might read the first book, Dune, love it fiercely, pick up the second book, put it down and stop right there and just be satisfied with adoring the original story. But for those who throw away all expectations, absorb the beauty and artistry of Dune Messiah, one might just find himself lost in the universe that revolves around that haunting desert planet, wanting the stay to never end.
