Strong middle book energy and multiple places where it felt like either I was expected to follow along better than I did or I was meant to be confused in a way that didn't actually help the story any, or maybe like Herbert had plans for a far more intricate court drama that his deadline couldn't accommodate. Chani in particular is such a set piece here (not that that's a change from the first book) that I look forward to the movie version mostly just for the chance to see her be an actual person again.