Dune

Classic epic science-fiction spy saga about two feuding houses embroiled in a war of subterfuge! Duke Leto Atreides of House Atreides has learnt of the Emperor’s corruption. The Emperor subsequently decides to order House Atreides to take residency on the harsh desert world of Arrakis, former seat of the enemy House Harkonnen. Leto suspects treachery when he lands on Arrakis with his Swordmasters, Master of Assassins, Doctor, Bene Gesserit concubine, and son Paul. He knows of the Emperor’s plan to use imperial soldiers disguised in Harkonnen livery to attack, and is soon informed that there is a traitor among his house.

It’s not a matter of “Who is the traitor?”, but of “When will the betrayal take place and what will be the real outcome?” that is most important. As a reader, I was easily caught up in the paranoia and fear that went with the certainty that Harkonnen attacks could spring up from anywhere: spy devices, poisons, concealed weapons, or traitors. It was edge-of-your-seat fiction, sub-plot upon sub-plot meshed together to create a complex worry of treacherous possibilities.

The secret of Arrakis, or Dune, is the Fremen: native battle-hardened religious zealots who have suffered pogroms from the Harkonnens. Their mystique is presented subtly at first, shown by the sheer power of Fremen leader Stilgar and their exotic barbaric culture. However there are a number of notable factions: the Bene-Gesserit, female operatives with the power of “Voice”; Mentats who are human computers, able to come to multiple accurate conclusions based on information; and the devious Guild that controls all spaceship transportation.

Through most of Dune, prescience is paramount, where the reader knows the future, yet does not know which paths will be taken by the compelling characters, who present many sides of clashing good and evil personalities. The final battle, though brief, was cleverly executed. Dune is complex science-fiction. If you want an extremely rewarding challenge that is philosophical and informative, and still delivers a ground-breaking narrative, look nowhere else!