Book Review: Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert

March 15, 2022 by Joe Gray in Book Review

Heretics of Dune is the fifth entry into the epic Dune saga and boy this was a difficult one to get into. Heretics takes place 1500 years or so after the events of God Emporer of Dune and all the main characters are long dead. But they are not forgotten. The prophecies and prognostications of Leto II are still at the heart of everything that moves human activity. With the God Emporer's death, humanity lacked direction and took to exploring new parts of the universe. This is called The Scattering and from the splintered pieces come new and powerful factions that are returning to the old realms to take power away from those that have ruled since The Tyrant's long plunge into the watery grave he accepted.

Book Review: God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

July 28, 2021 by Joe Gray in Book Review

God Emperor of Dune is the fourth book in the Dune series by Frank Herbert and it takes a different track than the previous stories. Its predecessors were stories about a myriad of characters that were all vying for power. In this book, there is only one character with power and they have had it for over 3500 years. Leto II, son of Paul Muad Dib, has transformed into a mostly giant, mostly immortal sandworm that has only the face of the boy that became a god remaining. While there are other characters and we get to listen in on their endeavors the book has a much more singular vision than any of the books that came before. This is signified by the quotes that begin each chapter. In the previous books, the quotations were from a variety of sources and about a variety of topics but in God Emperor of Dune, all of the quotes are from Leto's lost journals that were obviously found by someone. No matter what occurs in the book it is all in relation to the God Emperor and this gives the book a more streamlined narrative that is easier to follow.

Book Review: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

November 18, 2020 by Joe Gray in Book Review

Frank Herbert is something else. While reading this book my mind is drawn and quartered a thousand times. It is pushed and pulled this way and that. I am like a child grasping for meaning, knowing it is there but just out of reach. On the edge of understanding, I sit, in awe of what might be on the other side. Comprehension, just out of reach and yet in the back of my mind, it has been there the whole time. The words are new but they make sense, like some dream that tries to incorporate elements that seem, at first, to be disconnected, only to discover later, maybe after a day or two of contemplation, that the meaning was there amidst the confusion. Then, he brings you back. Frank Herbert, the man that sent you down the rabbit hole is there holding your hand and makes everything clear.