Children of Dune

                              Mood/ Atmosphere
                              There is a variety of moods throughout the whole book. The moods are gayness, solemnity,
                              violence, disheartened and also heart-warming. The author, Frank Herbert, had managed to
                              use different moods for different scenes effectively. Thus, lessening the exaggeration of sci-fi
                              stories. Meanwhile, this technique also managed to sustain the readers' interests in this
                              book.

                              Setting
                              An alienic planet.
                              This setting enables the readers to let their imaginations reach a further destination. A
                              planet  is a very seldomly used setting in books. Thus, making the readers fascinated and
                              captivated by the extraodinary setting. This setting is also effective because the story would
                              thus, be less stereo-typed as the other sci-fi and fantasy books.

                              Plot Structure and Development
                              The fallout from Paul's takeover is massive. Paul's ascend to the throne, which is possibly the
                              least evil course for humanity given the corruption and stagnation in the human race until his
                              takeover, unleashed a bloody fight on the galaxy. Paul's original followers, the desert-bred
                              and half wild Fremen have become the leaders of the fight.
 
                              As army officers, they are still great warriors; however, they have lost much of their mysticism
                              and their wildness. As a result, some of the Fremen have turned against Paul, as originally
                              explored in the previous book, Dune Messiah.
 
                              On top of this, Paul's death in the previous book has left only his two young children to rule.
                              Given their youth, the galaxy is being run in the children's names by their increasingly
                              corrupted and insane aunt, the Abomination Alia, possibly in league with their grandmother
                              who may also be a traitor to them and their step-mother Irulan.

                              Style of Writing
                              The style of writing is rather subtle and complex. Occasionally, the reader may have to
                              re-read the passage in order to get the "feel" of the book.

                              Example of subtlety and complexity:
                              "I fled in terror of what I'd created," Jessica said, her voice low. "I gave up. And my burden
                              now is that... perhaps I gave up too soon."
                              This passage shows us the confusion of what Jessica thought of. It also shows Jessica's
                              indecisiveness. A few short statements showed the readers Jessica's character using the
                              method "Show, Don't Tell".

                              Characters
                              The character of Paul developed gradually as the story progressed. It wasn't that Paul had
                              magic powers or that he happened to be born with memories, but that he always seemed
                              very strong, very tortured, very intelligent, very competent, and very compassionate in a
                              subtle manner. This makes him a character with beauty that lies beyond skin-deep. I feel that
                              he is one with real depth. But I feel that his death was a bit too harsh and pathetic.

                              The characteristics of Paul's 2 children are fascinating and awesome. Their magical powers
                              are mystifiying and makes people want to read on. Although it may be a bit too illogical, that
                              is what fantasy and sci-fi is all about.

                              He worked as a reporter and editor on a number of West Coast newspapers and wrote
                              speeches for politicians. Herbert worked in Vietnam and Pakistan as a social and ecological
                              studies consultant in 1972 and lecturer in general and interdisciplinary studies at the
                              University of Washington (1970-72). In 1973 he was a director-photographer of the television
                              show 'The Tillers'.

                              Until 1972, when he began to write full-time, Herbert published socially engaged science
                              fiction. In the 1950s his short stories appeared among others in Startling Stories. During the
                              next decade he was an infrequent contributor to the science fiction magazines, producing
                              fewer than 20 short stories. As a novelist Herbert started with THE DRAGON IN THE SEA in
                              1955, treating a 21-st-century submarine as a kind of test enviroment, in which men must
                              learn to live in accordance with the rules of reality. The book predicted worldwide conflicts
                              over oil consumption and production.

                              Herbert died on February 12, 1986. The last two novels in the Dune series develop a new
                              and different story, which Herbert would have continued if he had lived.

                              On the whole, this book has real depth. Thus, making the readers want to read on. I would
                              recommend this book to people who are interested in Science-Fiction and Fantasy books.
                              But it is really disheartening because Frank Herbert has passed away, and there would be
                              no more new books from him anymore......