Dune by Frank Herbert

5/5 - no questions asked. 

Confession time: I dove headfirst into this book only because the movie sequel was about to hit theaters, and the buzz was deafening. Everyone swore it was incredible. So, with tickets already purchased (pressure was on!), I embarked on a whirlwind reading adventure. 700+ pages in 5 days? Challenge accepted! I bought the paperback, I got it on Audible too. Mornings, evenings, even my commute home became dedicated reading (or listening) time. Let's just say, I devoured this book whole. It felt like I'd inhaled some melange itself – completely transported to another world.

Forget leisurely poolside reads. This was a desert sprint fueled by pure sci-fi glee. The protagonists are the Atreides family, consisting of the Duke (I really liked him!), his Bene Gesserit partner Jessica and their son Paul, who have been entrusted the stewardship of Arrakis. We discover the alien planet of Arrakis along with them. You will feel fear, suspicion and a lot of wonder. The ride is worth it. Now, Paul is no ordinary prince. He's haunted by mysterious visions and caught in the middle of a big conflict. He has the Bene Gesserit powers - some of it - and can do some magical things.This book is packed with exciting stuff – betrayal (a shocking twist!), royalty, villains (like the gross Baron, who you'll instantly hate!), and even the beginnings of some great friendships. There are some sad moments too, but also lots of action and a growing hope for Paul to become something more than just a prince. You'll have to read it to see!

The book is based wayyyyyy in the future - and you will notice no one uses phones! (imagine!). Apparently there was a war between humankind and AI, and human beings won with a promise to never go down that path again. Still, their tech is far superior, and far simpler than what we have ever seen (shields, lamps, books, water retainers!). The book also introduces some fascinating ideas like the Bene Gesserit with their strange powers, super-smart advisors called Mentats (like human google with emotions!), and flying machines called ornithopters.

No one can argue the importance of Dune. It laid the foundations for a great deal of the themes and constructs in modern science fiction. (ahem, Star Wars!). This is just the first sip of spice in a six-book saga. This book is rich, meaty, detailed and enigmatic. It is not simple, and it never promised to be simple - still, it is quite a page turner. I am onto the next one, Dune Messiah already.

Fun fact I just read in Messiah! The spice in Dune turns people's eyes blue, but it also messes with their vision. They see the world with less contrast, almost like everything has a faded, grainy quality. This little detail might explain the movie's unique colour palette – a bit more muted and orange-toned compared to other sci-fi films. It's a subtle way to capture the experience of spice use visually, adding another layer of depth to the world-building. Makes you appreciate the vibrant desert landscapes described in the book even more, right?

Currently, obsessed with sandworms, Paul (AKA Timothee) and the Bene Gesserits! Read, read, read away!