A review by wispy_reviews
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

While not the strongest installment in the Dune series, Messiah does a lot to further develop Paul’s character as he lives with the consequences of his actions from the first book.  It’s poetic to watch this all-powerful man walk to his own damnation, on a path that he laid himself.  Part of me wonders if this was intended to be the finale of the series, with how tightly it wraps everything up.
It’s always fun talking to my friends about this one since the opinions vary wildly, especially when it comes to Paul and his behavior.  Is he a tragic hero(?) fallen victim to an inescapable fate, or an entitled tyrant who uses fate to escape responsibility?  Herbert clearly implies one over the other, but  that can be telling in and of itself.
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