Customer Reviews
In the fourth volume of Frank Herbert's Dune Series, the tale goes three thousand years after the first three books. Leto, the son of Paul Atreides is still around, however, a semi-immortal who is the title character.Paul might have been the equivalent of Julius Caesar, setting up an Empire for his successor, the Augustean Leto. Leto has established his own version of Pax Romana, creating a government that has remained in power over three millenia. The price of this peace is obvious: civilization has stagnated and many of the same institutions are still around, despite a time gap similar to the time of the mythical Agammemnon/Atreides to our modern day.Leto is extremely powerful, not only physically and intellectually, but economically as well. His Achilles heel (speaking metaphorically as his worm-like body no longer has heels) is his simultaneous development towards worm-hood and his vague longings for his humanity. Among his allies/opponents is Duncan Idaho, the latest in a series of Idaho clones that have served Leto and have often died trying to assassinate him.The book focuses on Leto's scheming about the human race and those who oppose him. While quite interesting and entertaining, it would sometimes be nice if Herbert's characters were a little less serious. No one speaks or does anything frivolously; it is all part of a larger agenda. Nonetheless, although different from the first three books, this is a worthy part of the series and a good science fiction novel.
I've read it twice! One of my favorites in the series. The books are really narrow though which is odd, so youll definetely have to crack the spine if you want to get into the book. personally I don't car about cracking spines. The price is good and it's easily readable. If you're looking for a beautifully bound book, raise your price point. This one is good for having in hand though.
i personally don’t like the time skip, although i get it…but ultimately if you have characters who are essentially the same as before why do you need 3000years? just to change scenery? and inhabitants?without spoiling it, there are great chaptersit starts off amazing…but then gets stale, unless you like letos “preachiness”ending is good and solidletos ways can be comical in the way he runs his empire(the tech he uses to elevate his godhood)overallchildren of dune, i feel is much betterthe continuation, how it ramps upplus leto is way cooler at the end of itwhereas here(god emperor) he’s a worm…
For those who have not read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children Of Dune - I truly doubt this would be a good read.ButIf you have, strap in!
The same standard as of the previous dune books by Frank Herbert just exquisite. A must read book for everyone
