The second book in the Dune Chronicles series tries to sow the seeds of the heavier books to follow. I always liked Dune Messiah more than Dune, perhaps because the story of the man walking in the path of inevitability just struck a chord in my heart.

That's what strikes me, from start to end: the tragic story of the man that already knows about but cannot avoid the demise of everything he built, of everything he loved. Perhaps now, on the third (or fourth, can't recall) reading I wasn't as touched by his story, but I see the tragedy there.

Dune Messiah closes the story of Muad'Dib and opens the story of Leto. It also expands on the Dune universe, trying to make a clearer, rounder image of the details from the first book. I still don't know why there was a war on civilization necessary, and the book never makes it clear, just as in the case of the Butlerian Jihad. There are references, but never a clear explanation of the necessity.

The book is somewhere at 4.5 stars. I think I'll keep it to five for the sake of Paul and Chani, but other than that it's a solid four. The book is clogged with more and more irrelevant detail, it's a less enjoyable read than the first book. Of course, the book doesn't stand alone, but it somehow depends on the follow-up books. Dune Messiah is more valuable as a bridge between the story of Paul and the story of Ghanima and Leto, ending up in the God-Emperor.