This book was very uneven for me. I like Herbert's exploration of power and possession. In this installment, 9 years have passed since twins were born to Paul Atreides, Muad Dib, emperor, and his wife, Chani. Nine years since Paul walked off into the desert, blind and ready for death. Overwhelmed by all the possible futures he had seen and choosing instead to pass the burden on to his infant children (coward). His children, Leto II and Ghanima, are not like children at all. They too are filled with all the past lives of their ancestors. They can remember things that have fallen out of knowledge for centuries. And they have a plan for the empire. But, looking like children, they are also surrounded by powerful adults who also have plans for the empire.
The grandson of former Emperor Shaddam plots with his mother to murder the twins and take back the throne. Alia, overcome by a lifetime of attempting to repress the past lives inside her, becomes overtaken by the memory of Vladmir Harkonnen. Under his sway, she plots also to kill the twins and remain in power. And Lady Jessica, Paul's mother, returns to Dune to complete the Bene Gesserit breeding program by mating the twins together (ewwwww).
Thinking they are facing mere 9 years olds, these adults plot and scheme, all the while the twins carry out their own plan. Looks like Leto has also looked into the future and decided to make the necessary changes Paul was unwilling to make, why? Oh because it involves the death and destruction of millions, possibly billions, all in an effort to wipe the slate clean on religion and power in the empire. I didn't really buy all that Leto was selling on this and it left a bitter taste in my mouth about all the interesting facets of the power struggle going on otherwise.
Lastly, Herbert is so damn vague about so many details of the Butlerian Jihad or what is coming under Leto's "Golden Path" that it's difficult to grasp just how dangerous a position in which the players have put themselves.
3.5/5 Stars.
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