William Nesdale > Recent Status Updates

Paul-Maud’Dib returns to the place where it all began to fight the remaining Harkonnen royalty & build his own empire.

Well, that was a big ending, there was intrigue, betrayal, slipping into becoming like Duke Leto and even a fight to the death.

Looks like this book is a must read for space opera fans.

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen meets up with the Emperor and uncovers an offspring of his enemy, then gets caught off guard by a surprise attack.

Here we have our last look at the Baron Harkonnen’s repulsive figure, while showing the other side of the Fremen vs Sadaukker battle. Sure, the main selling point of the book is the deep lore building, so action has to be kept to a minimum… which I like by the way.

Paul and his army plans to blow up a shield to weaken a Harkonnen base, but a big storm complicates matters.

We are near the endgame of this very book, and things are going to heat up in more ways then one, including a big storm on Arrakis, a family tragedy and a possible infiltration on the Harkonnen base. It looks like we are set up for the money shot of the book.

Lady Jessica & Chani discuss their business while uncovering a disturbing way to use the Spice as a weapon & Paul’s troubling method of attack.

Slowly, Paul is going off the deep end with his words. Seems to me that Paul-Maud’Dib isn’t the pleasant savior of the Fremens as they were hoping for. Maybe it’s just me thinking, but Paul’s starting to act a little crazy.

Paul-Maud’Dib gives a rousing speech, then encounters Gurney, who still thinks that Lady Jessica is the traitor.

Slowly but surely, Paul is going through the transition from royalty to Freman leader, even if his sanity (and vision) may be starting to unravel. I’m not sure if I’m right, but i think that Paul-Maud’Dib is some kind of anti-hero.

Gurney reconnects with an old friend, yet discovers that he has changed completely over the past few weeks.

Looks like Paul & Gurney are reunited under different circumstances, while we also know that Gurney is still holding a grudge against Lady Jessica, who he thinks is the traitor. Which means things can get a little awkward when the two of them return to the Fremen base.

Paul rides a worm and hides from an Omnithropter.

Paul-Maud’Dib may be a prophet to the Fremens, but he has got a lot of learning to do before he can become the greatest of them all. He has to learn how to control and ride a worm, then has to perform camouflage to hide from any enemies.

Lady Jessica meets her child for the first time, while discovering that her child has learnt more about the Reverend Mother’s logic than is possible for her age.

While Paul is busy with the sand worms, Lady Jessica is also busy with the work of the Reverend Mother’s logic duties, which is a nice change of pace for this sci-fi epic.

Paul-Maud’Dib goes out to get his first sand worm, a rite of passage for the Fremen.

Looks like we have Paul slowly becoming the man of the people in the sand dunes, plus he has his own girlfriend named Chani. I’m not sure if we get to see some worm-riding action, because this book is mostly strategic game of sci-fi chess and it’s mostly full of words, but let’s see how Paul handles the rise of his life.

Hawat & the Baron has a private conversation about their next move that will put Feyd-Rautha as an opposing saviour to Paul Atreides.

Looks like things are about to heat up, as we are building up to a “saviour-off” between the last man in the Atreides bloodline, and the Baron’s nephew, Feyd-Rautha. Who will win the whole populous? Let’s find out.

I have begun “Book Three: The Prophet” where the story begins with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen giving a dire warning & some helpful advice to his nephew, Feyd-Rautha.

Not only is Baron Vladimir grossly overweight, but his temper is also grossly boiling, then again, his nephew has got a lot to learn before he can be next in line for the Harkonnen throne.

Paul & Lady Jessica take a soothing trip, thanks to spice-infused water, to be reborn into the world of the Fremen.

Well, looks like they have died royalty and reborn as the Fremen saviors. I’m not sure if the whole book is some kind of “White Saviour” metaphor, but I’m looking a bit too deep. Anyway, that is “Book Two” completed, and we have one more “Book” to go before it’s over.

Paul takes a tour around the Fremen caves with Harah.

We see a more expansive look at the Fremen education, which only consists of chanting different words throughout the class session, yet the world is much more expansive, even though Paul is stuck in the caves the whole book.

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s nephew, Feyd-Rautha, fights in an arena, where the Count and his wife are watching.

Well, looks like we have our fight in the book, and it’s a very epic one, regardless of how many action sequences are in the book. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul & Feyd-Rautha’s combat experience will be put to good use in their near future.

A funeral is held for Janis, while Paul is slowly falling for a freman woman named Chani, causing Lady Jessica to be anxious.

Paul’s behaviour in this part of the whole Dune has him transition from Atreides duke in training to a man of the Freman army. Also, the Freman’s behaviour towards him is a test for Paul’s new name & moniker.

Paul fights Janis in an arena, learns a new way of defeating opponents, and gains a new title.

It seems that Paul is becoming popular with the Fremens. I do appreciate the different cultural & lifestyles that pits the two types of classes into each other, especially when it comes to Paul & Lady Jessica.

Paul & Jessica enter the Freman territory, called “the Cave of Ridges”, where Lady Jessica re-evaluates herself, while Paul catches glimpses of his potential demise.

Ok, now we’re cooking. Sure, this book is a slow-burn, but it is a rewarding experience for anyone who digs into this book for some juicy world-building.

Paul & Jessica get ambushed by the Fremens, led by Stilgar.

Sounds to me that Paul & Jessica’s lives are about to change, like it hasn’t already. I do appreciate the building on Fremen society and adding more names to its civilisation. I believe this book does it best when it focuses on world-building.

Kynes is left for dead in the sandy wilderness of Arrakis while he remembers the words of his father, much to his chagrin.

I know this book is stunning when it comes to world-building, but this chapter is a filler episode that details the final (?) moments of Kynes before the planet gets the best of him. Thinking about it, this book is a bit of a wordy space opera.

Paul & Lady Jessica continue their desert journey, where they encounter a worm and a secret hideout.

I guess we are back in the desert with our two main characters. I do like the whole “journey through an unfamiliar world” kind of storytelling. It takes people out of their comfort zone and into a world of action, mystery, world-building and a whole bunch of cardio.

Gurney Hallack goes to meet a smuggler named Tuek.

Well, we have experienced the wide world of Arrakis haven’t we? Anyway, i appreciate Frank Herbert’s way of giving each character in the book a POV scene, yet the whole thing is like a space drama. Whether it’s a good thing or not is up for debate.

After their daring escape, Paul & Lady Jessica head across the sandy dunes of Arrakis.

Here we are, on the longest journey in the book. Going from point A to point B has never felt this sandy. Anyway, it appears that our two protagonists are on the run from the Harkonnens and trying to hide from them as much as possible with limited supplies on their backs.

Baron gets news about the Atreides family’s apparent demise from his guard captain, Iakin Nefud, and gets a visit from his nephew, Rabban.

Looks like ugliness runs in the Harkonnen family blood, as Rabbon is equally as hideous as Baron Vladimir. Looks like we are quietly back at dramatic intrigue again after an action sequence with Paul Atreidis.

Paul & Lady Jessica follows Duncan Idaho to a secret hideout of the Fremen, ruled by Keyes. When the base is attacked, Paul & Jessica are led to a secret escape ‘thrpter

Looks like there is a bit of action this time around, along with a few character building of the Fremens and their slight connection to the Harkonnens. I think this book is intriguing in its setting & character designs, with descriptions on them.

Thifir Hawat, believing that Lady Jessica is the traitor, confronts some Fremen for some help, but finds himself caught up in an aircraft battle.

Looks like we’ve got a conspiracy around Lady Jessica, whom Hawat believes is the traitor. I also believe that the Fremen, with their blue-within-blue eyes, have their own type of behavioural mannerisms.

Entering Book 2 “Maud’Dib”, where Paul & Lady Jessica are now on the runs from the Harkonnens, despite a rather disturbing connection to them. They decide to leave their tent to venture out into the wider world of Arrakis.

Looks like we have left the royal setting and into the wild world of Arrakis where sand worms will eat you if you’re not careful.

The finale of Book One “Dune” shows Paul & Lady Jessica hiding from the Harkonnens while discovering a shocking truth about their bloodline & Paul’s future.

Looks like we have reached the end of Book 1 and we have got a big twist that shatters expectations & turns the whole clan rivalry aspect of the book on its head. Thankfully there is two thirds of the whole book to go, so let’s see how things go for them

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen has finally caught Duke Leto & given Dr. Yueah a death sentence as the latter outlived his usefulness. Yet Leto has a surprise that nearly catches the Baron off guard.

Looks like we have reached the part of the book where Duek Leto bites the dust, yet the Baron has managed to avoid the deadly fate by a small margin. Looks like the story isn’t over yet.

The traitor has finished his job for the opposing side, yet gets no respect, causing him to make desperate measures by playing both sides.

Look’s like we’ve got a chapter from the traitor’s point of view, even though it’s just 1 third of the way through, so here’s a little spoiler coming your way:


It’s Dr. Yeuch.

Jessica & Paul find themselves captured by the Harkonnens and are about to be left for dead, yet fate has other plans for the surviving Atreides family.

Looks we have conflict and action at last after a few chapters of political intrigue and world building. It’s only the first third of the book, yet the way the story is told is lengthy, yet groundbreaking.