Dune

God, what a book.

It feels so contemporary for being written 55 years ago. The prose is beautiful, nuanced, and detailed. I found the perspective refreshing, though I can understand that some may not agree with me. The characters, which dominate the book, have great progression, and act very much like real people with believable motivations. The plot is crafted with such mastery. It's amazing that a book that revolves so much around the minutia of politics, where hushed back-room conversations can dominate entire chapters, can feel so exciting. I wish that it came to some sort of satisfying conclusion however, because as of now it feels unfinished, like a third of the story that I want to hear. I heard about how deep the world building was before I read it, but it still far surpassed my expectation. Arrakis feels like a real world with it's own culture, religion, and values independent from the the surrounding Imperium. I've never read about an imaginary world this composed.

Herbert explores the ideas of destiny and religious fanaticism thoughtfully and thoroughly. How much you impact a path in front of you that has been foretold? How is a religious zealot created? What can a religious leader do to change the will of their people?

I really couldn't say anything seriously negative about Dune. It's an excellent book, that left me itching to read more. Really a masterwork of science-fiction!