Dune

Hello and welcome to The Young Reader's Review! So today, like always, I am going to review a mind-blowing story: Dune (Book One) by the genius Frank Herbert. I decided to write about this book because we can say that it marked the beginning of science-fiction’s popularity, and it is probably the greatest science fiction novel ever written.  So let’s start this review, shall we?

Personally, the beginning and the end of this story were my favorite sections of this book. But don’t get me wrong- I still adored this book all together. The reason for this is that in the incipit of the story, we directly enter this insane world and it’s extremely captivating and intriguing. You devour the pages because of the itch to know more. The end leaves you full of suspense and many devastating things happen towards the end making you feel like an emotional wreck.

The story takes place in about 20-21 000 years, in space. The humans have taken over many planets spread out in the entire galaxy. Doesn’t it already entice you? By the way, if you like Star Wars, Star Trek or even The Matrix you are bound to like this book.


Coming back to the plot itself, the beginning of the story takes place on the planet Caladan ruled by the Duke Leto Artreides, who according to a prophecy, is doomed to die soon. Duke Leto’s soon, Paul, is the main character in this book.

Paul is an extremely sharp, clever and curious fifteen year-old who received a “Bene Gesserit” training from his mother, Lady Jessica. The Bene Gessirit can be compared to witches who can do “Sherlock Holmes” type deductions and who have an incredibly good eye for detail. But Paul is also a rather arrogant teenager and he likes people to be aware of the fact that he is the duke’s son and that one day the title of duke will be his.

The only thing I have to say that is negative about this book is that at the beginning everything is rather clear, but once the first chapter is over, Frank Herbert uses implicit terms that can only be understood if you have already read the book. This leads you to being easily lost and to be quite confused. But after a while, you get accustomed to it and you start understand everything in the book which is why it isn’t a major issue, but it still is perturbing.

So, the Duke Leto decides to move to a dangerous and inhospitable planet full with burning sand deserts: Arrakis. He decides to move there because that is where the spice resides. The spice is a drug, a rich mélange supply that controls everything. It controls time, the population of Arrakis and the universe. For example, you can travel in space thanks to this mélange. Also, it is the reason why the Fremen’s (The Arrakeen population) eyes are completely blue and they can’t leave the planet because of their addiction to this drug that is in the scarce water, in the food, in the air…

What I adore about this book, is how the descriptions are so rich and detailed, in a way that it vaguely reminds me of F. S. Fitzgerald’s style. But don’t worry these descriptions aren’t boring at all, but on the very contrary, they are luring.

Back to the story, the Artreides family moves to Arrakis and they are immediately threatened by the Harkonnens, their mortal enemies. The duke decides to recruit some Fremen as soldiers. But then, they realize that a traitor is among them, in their household.

What will they do? The Fremen believe that Paul is “the chosen one” and is supposed to save Arrakis, the duke is bound to die, a traitor is among them, the Harkonnens are planning a major attack and, they didn’t imagine that horrifying gigantic worms slither underneath Arrakis’ vast deserts.

I think that this story is a piece of insane art. I don’t understand how a human being can create such a complex and unknown world out of nothing. It amazes me. The story is beautifully written, the style is unique and the plot is genius. I definitely recommend this book to you, and I push you from the bottom of my heart to go get it right now at your local bookstore. So that was it for this week’s review, I hope that you enjoyed it and that you will read this book. Don’t forget to follow me on Google +, to like this review and to share it! It’s just a click away!

o( ❛ᴗ❛ )o