Brian Herbert's latest tale in the Dune saga takes place immediately after Dune Messiah. The emperor Paul Muad'dib has wandered off into the desert, presumably eaten by worms. His sister Alia is regent until Paul's new-born twins come of age.

Like Paul of Dune, this book bounces back and forth to events in Paul's life that happened pre-Dune. The purpose this time is a little more focused -- the events then have direct consequence in this story. The story predominately follows Lady Jessica, Paul's mother. The empire is not in a good place, and has not been so since Paul was still in charge. One begins to understand why his sister, Alia, goes nutty in Children of Dune. In this book, her reaction to any provocation is extreme to say the least.

This book fills more gaps and details. For those who can't get enough of the Dune universe, it's more brain candy. There is no joy in this book -- some characters deserve a measure of empathy,others make you wonder what happened to humanity. Even so, it is what it is...which is part of the Dune mythos. Prerequisites are Dune, Paul of Dune, and Dune Messiah. ( )

This book offers an insight into what happened on Dune (Arrakis) just after Paul Maud'dib walked off into the sands. The name of the game is intrigue and everyone is playing. Alia wants to stop Bronso of Ix from decrediting her brother's Messiah image, but is that what he is doing? Was there more to Paul than Alia wants known or knows? Irulen continues to write Paul/Maud'dib's story, but is what she writes true or are there underlying factors at play? Who is telling her what to write and what does she really want to say? And whose side is Lady Jessica really on?

A typical Dune book filling in where Dune Messiah left off. ( )