Monday, August 19, 2024

Dune (Frank Herbert)

As House Atreides prepares to take over Arrakis, the desert planet of giant worms and invaluable spice, they sense treachery is afoot from rival House Harkonnen, who appears in league with the Emperor himself. There are plans within plans within plans . . . and someone will fall. But perhaps victory is not as complete as it seems . . . and it could well be that the Fremen, native people of this cursed world, will receive their long-awaited savior in the process.

I read this in high school and forgot almost all of it. Reading it again now was a treat. It is more action-packed and fast-paced than I remembered. But it's more: Dune is both fantasy and science fiction, but a layered and original story looking at the temptations of power. It is clear the reader is dropped into a larger tale—and I love impression of depth—but I was confused at times by comments or references that would not be spelled out in this volume (and its ending clearly hints that much more is to come). I was hoping it would be a more stand-alone read, but that is a minor ding on an otherwise solid and enjoyable story.

Rating: A-

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