Rating: 
Summary: A must for readers of Dune
Review: This book picks up with in a few years of the end of Dune. It deals with Paul Atriedes problems as the new emperor and Messiah. It is a very human story as Paul tries to control what he has unleashed. If you read Dune, then you want to know what happened next. This book answers ALL the questions you are left with after reading Dune.
Rating:
Summary: A Triumphant Sequel
Review: The first sequel to the collosal masterpiece of Science Fiction, Dune Messiah takes up where Dune left off. Both in tone and in astute observations of the runnings of both government and religion.We follow the story of Paul Muad'Dib, the slightly reluctant messiah and emperor of a universe of opposites living in constant struggle. He is cursed by the prescience which shows him the ambiguous future, affording him glimpses at events so painful he can scarce look at them, and a way of avoiding those events even more painful yet. Herbert was one of the great masters, and every single book he wrote is worth our attention, but none more so than this stunning series called Dune. Whether or not you enjoy Science Fiction, you would be doing yourself a disservice by ignoring a social treatise of such skill and precision as these books.
Rating: 
Summary: The weakest of the Dune novels, yet worth reading
Review: The Dune Novels existed as a trilogy for quite a while until Herbert added "God Emperor of Dune" and extended the Dune books up to Chapterhouse Dune, his last. Dune Messiah is the sequel to the ravishing science fiction classic Dune, which is practically required reading if you are a sci-fi fan. Dune was a huge success with it's future history, epic battles and struggle for freedom. Dune Messiah takes up the story as Paul Atreides assumes the Emperor's throne. The family tragedy is written nicely, almost Classic Greek Tragedy in style. However Dune is so overpowering that there are too many threads to follow in the sequel. Herbert takes an entirely different tack in Dune Messiah. The book is spare and told more like a fable or myth. The events are mainly sad and personal; Chani's fate and that of Alia are particularly poignant. If you love Herbert and the world of Dune, this is a must-read. Just don't expect the same sweeping, intricate type of novel that Dune is. Dune Messiah, however, sets the stage very well for all the novels that come afterwards
Rating:
Summary: Excellent sequel
Review: I'm currently reading Book 6. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book in the series so far. Dune Messiah is top-notch classic sci-fi. In this novel, Paul develops and matures as the prescient leader of a people in a religious fervor. Herbert masterfully portrays the various forces at work attempting to stop Paul and his immensely powerful following. There's a lot of action in the book but not as much as in Dune. Messiah focuses more on Paul's personal struggles with knowing the future and being trapped in his vision, with only a handful of critical "junctions" available where he can change course. The ending is highly satisfying and emotional.
Rating: 
Summary: A necessary coda to a masterpiece
Review: After reading Dune you just want more of that universe no? It was to sci-fi literature what Star Wars was to sci-fi films. This sequel is short, has very little action, has nowhere near the scope of the first book, but was interesting to read none the less, because it expanded upon the Dune universe. We do get to see Paul's character evolve, but other than that, no other characters seem to be developed very well at all (with the exception of the ghola Idaho). Where was Jessica for example? - and Chani, Stilgar, etc. seem to be glossed over. I wish Herbert would have doubled the size of this book, and maybe then it would have seemed less like a quickie coda.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent continuation of Paul's Legacy
Review: Although not quite on the same scope as the original Dune novel, Dune Messiah is a triumph (and defeat) of the boy grown into a man, grown into an empire, grown into a god. Most notable in the book is the return of Duncan Idaho as a ghola whom becomes a major player in the visions of Paul's future. The dwarf in the story whom was grown along side Duncan in the Atoxl tanks is an interesting twist in the story and you are actually glad when things turn out the way they do for that little menace. The dialogue is long and complex (a necessity for this type of novel) but kept the storyline moving along at a good clip. There is no doubt that I will continue to read the series to its finish. I hope others do the same. May your water mingle with our water.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy Successor, But Not As Engrossing As Dune
Review: Frank Herbert's amazing Dune Chronicles continue here in the second book of the epic series, Dune Messiah. Dune was one of the best, if the not greatest, science-fiction book I have ever read, and for good reasons. Dune had an incredible sense of scope, tasteful dialogue, engrossing action sequences, and a powerful plot of leadership under strain. After reading such a powerful novel, I had extremely high expectations for Dune Messiah. Although most parts of this book are as good, if not better than that in the original (espescially character development), some parts fell a bit short of what I had hoped for. For example, most of this book concentrates on a scheme to overthrow Emperor Maud'dib and the Emperor's dark vision that he has resigned himself into believing. With the impressive amount of detail given to character development, one could only agree that some other parts of what made Dune so great, particularly Dune Messiah's lack of scope in comparison to its predecessor. Also, this book spent a bit too much time focusing on Maud'dib's religion. The people worshiping Alia (Paul's sister) sometimes got downright nauseating. Also, Lady Jessica barely gets much more than a brief cameo in this novel. All in all, Dune Messiah is a worthy successor to Dune, but falls just short of Science Fiction's Supreme Masterpiece's overall excellence.
Rating:
Summary: The Dune series leaps forward
Review: It's said fairly often that Dune was the greatest science fiction novel ever written, and rightfully so if you ask me. Many of these same people go on to say that Dune Messiah is not very good, and the series gets worse as it goes on. Too many people. Dune Messiah finishes (almost) what Dune started to describe: the life of a man who becomes a living god, and the effect he then has on the world surrounding him. In Messiah the forces of the universe (the Imperial family, the Fremen, the Space Guild, etc) react to Paul Atreides, the Muad'Dib, and the results are fascinating to read. I must confess that while I enjoyed Dune, I wasn't sure it was enough to keep me going through six books, much less consider the new prequels which are now popping up. Dune Messiah made up my mind for me, and I bought the next four books that week. This is where the series really starts to take off and flesh out a future that is sometimes dark, sometimes hopeful, and never boring.
Rating:
Summary: An interlude in the saga
Review: With some disturbingly bad twists in the plot, the interesting mix of characters and Herbert's contrapuntal story telling make it a pleasant, though a bit short experience. A must to those who want to reach the plotty Children of Dune and the philosophical grandeur of God Emperor of Dune, the highlight of the Dune series.
Rating:
Summary: The saga continues
Review: After reading Dune I was hesitant to get myself caught in a commitment to read the whole series. I know.... I'm just another male who has trouble with commitment. But after reading Dune Messiah I have to admit, i'm hooked. Although many might disagree with me i actually feel that this one was better. This book involved deeper philosophy while incorporating character history that was pre established in the first novel. It's hard to describe the differences without giving anything away. Before reading this book a decided to read some of the reviews to get a better feel for what i was in for. .... and allow me to forewarn you, some of these reviews give away the ending. thoughout the book i thought i'd be disappointed knowing what was going to happen. But as it turns out there are more twists then i thought and the ending was truly appropriate. I look foreward to reading the rest of Herbert's books, now that i'm stuck in the lives of the Atrieds.
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