Children of Dune

Frank Herbert

Jun 2008 · Dune Book 3 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

Book Three in the Magnificent Dune Chronicles—the Bestselling Science Fiction Adventure of All Time

The Children of Dune are twin siblings Leto and Ghanima Atreides, whose father, the Emperor Paul Muad’Dib, disappeared in the desert wastelands of Arrakis nine years ago. Like their father, the twins possess supernormal abilities—making them valuable to their manipulative aunt Alia, who rules the Empire in the name of House Atreides.

Facing treason and rebellion on two fronts, Alia’s rule is not absolute. The displaced House Corrino is plotting to regain the throne while the fanatical Fremen are being provoked into open revolt by the enigmatic figure known only as The Preacher. Alia believes that by obtaining the secrets of the twins’ prophetic visions, she can maintain control over her dynasty.

But Leto and Ghanima have their own plans for their visions—and their destinies....

Ratings and reviews

Children of Dune is more politically charged than Dune or Dune Messiah. Very enjoyable, while remaining as dense and challenging to penetrate as the previous entries. Unlike the previous two entries, the central plot of this book is more easy to follow than the previous entries on a first reading, but whether that is due to the merits of the story or to the learning curve of Herbert's style is debatable.

I was very surprised how Frank Herbert "revived" dead characters from the first book. I really didn't like Alia's storyline, or Paul's either. But other than that, it was a great continuation of this epic story.

Yet best book was Book #1. After Book #2 & #3 it really gets very tiring and don't compell me to read more Dune books.

About the author

Frank Herbert is the bestselling author of the Dune saga. He was born in Tacoma, Washington, and educated at the University of Washington, Seattle. He worked a wide variety of jobs—including TV cameraman, radio commentator, oyster diver, jungle survival instructor, lay analyst, creative writing teacher, reporter and editor of several West Coast newspapers—before becoming a full-time writer.

In 1952, Herbert began publishing science fiction with “Looking for Something?” in Startling Stories. But his emergence as a writer of major stature did not occur until 1965, with the publication of Dune. Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune followed, completing the saga that the Chicago Tribune would call “one of the monuments of modern science fiction.” Herbert is also the author of some twenty other books, including The White Plague, The Dosadi Experiment, and Destination: Void. He died in 1986.