This is the second half (well, part 2 of 3, really) of the arc started in Heretics. I think it's actually a stronger book than Heretics too - less scattered, more time spent developing the characters, and the stakes are clearly higher.

It also displays its Reagan-era politics pretty obviously, which made me roll my eyes at least once, but there's also some commentary on the all-consuming nature of bureaucracy that are definitely relevant to modern times. The Honored Matres are developed a little further, and become more interesting (marginally, anyway) than the generic boogeymen they were in Heretics. I would have loved to see the arc finished, but I'm not sure I'm willing to stomach Herbert's less-gifted son's attempt at it.

This was the book, of all of them, that felt the most like the original. That sense-of-wonder on discovering a fantastic new world isn't there, but the sharp observations on politics and human behavior are back up to par. The Bene Gesserit are nearly as neat a group to examine in depth as the Fremen were. I'm definitely glad I finally picked these last two books up.