content: One look at all these reviews will leave you with no doubt that this is one of the best science fiction stories ever told. But wait! The best is yet to come. There are five other books in the series. My advice, however, is to skip Dune Messiah and go right to Children of Dune. The second book isn't nearly as good as the first; the third is even better. Herbert's writing improved with age, and God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune will blow you away even if you just sort-of like the original Dune.