Sunday, September 22, 2019

Paul of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

(hb; 2008: first book in the Heroes of Dune duology)

From the inside flap

Dune, Frank Herbert’s classic, ended with Paul Muad’Dib in control of the planet Dune. Herbert’s second book, Dune Messiah, picks up the story several years later when Paul’s armies have conquered the galaxy and Paul has become a religious figure. But what happened between Dune and Dune Messiah? What about the details of Paul Muad’Dib’s jihad and the formation of his empire? How did Paul become the prophet he is in Dune Messiah?

“The Muad’Dib’s jihad is in full swing. His warrior legions, led by Stilgar, march from victory to victory. But beneath the joy of victory and the pride of Fremen devotion there are dangerous undercurrents. Paul, like nearly every great conqueror, has enemies and those who would betray him to steal the awesome power he commands. . .

“And Paul begins to have doubts: Is the jihad getting out of his control? Has he created anarchy? Has he been betrayed by those he loves and trusts the most? And most of all, he wonders: Am I going mad?”


Review


Paul is an excellent, immediately immersive entry in the Heroes of Dune (and its umbrella Dune) series, one that bridges Dune and Dune Messiah. Paul fleshes out the details that bring about the events of Messiah, while answering some questions readers might have about relationships between its key players. This is a welcome and entertaining midquel, a book worth owning if you are a Dune fan. Followed by The Winds of Dune, which was initially announced as Jessica of Dune in the inside flap of the hardback version of Paul.

No comments: