Dune fans agree: The first novel is a stunning planet-hopping hero's journey with interesting characters, thrilling action, and clear story and character arcs.
For all the chatter that Dune was impossible to adapt, the 1965 book has always had the key characteristics of great cinema.
Herbert's other Dune books? Well …The remaining books have supporters and opponents, but most agree the narrative never matches the drama of the first novel. Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve says the books get “esoteric” and only intends to adapt Dune Messiah.
He is close to finishing a Dune: Part Three script. Messiah faces many hardships.
Dune Messiah (1969) isn't bad. This book is popular among Herbert followers, especially those who like politics and philosophy (its Amazon review average is just slightly below the first).
It's not as dramatic or connected to the prior story as one might desire.
Messiah was criticized as “a lot of sitting around and talking.” Not bad, but not like the first two movies.
After a 12-year time jump, Messiah follows Emperor Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his relationship with his wife, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), and concubine, Chani (Zendaya).