Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Loud whispers in the sand - 4/5 from me

The story then leaps forward twelve years on Arrakis. We return to a Paul Atreides not bathed in triumph, but burdened by its weight. Forget giant sandworm battles, this time it's all about secret plans and hidden enemies! Instead of fighting, we explore big ideas. Religion and politics become tools used for power. Plus, there's this whole thing about free will vs destiny, which makes you think about being in control of your life. This is a psychological thriller of sorts, a game of minds played on a galactic chessboard. The absence of strong female voices is a noticeable shift from Dune to Messiah. Jessica and Chani had both wielded influence, possessed independent goals, and were key players in shaping Paul's destiny in Dune. The strong presence was just missing! Dune Messiah shifts the focus off from the women dramatically. Both Irulan and Chani's desires seem centred solely on bearing Paul's heir.

While this could be a commentary on societal expectations or the pressures of empire, it's a stark contrast to their characters. Alia annoyed me from time to time. It is what it is.

Still, Herbert's universe is an intoxicating blend of the unpredictable and the profound. His characters, flawed and fascinating, stumble toward destinies both tragic and magnificent. This is a story that lingers, a haunting melody that plays on long after the final page is turned. The whispers of Arrakis have me spellbound. I will get to the next book after a short break from the Dune-verse. For now, my thoughts drift to the moon that haunted Paul… Honestly, I went into this book without reading any excerpts - it wasn't the story I anticipated, but it was undeniably powerful.