Dune

Before The Matrix, before Star Wars, before Ender's Game and Neuromancer, there was Dune: winner of the prestigious Hugo and Nebula awards, and widely considered one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written. Set in the distant future amidst a huge interstellar empire, Dune tells the complex and multi-layered story of young Paul Atreides. As his family accepts the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis, they find themselves embroiled in a deadly political game. Arrakis is the only source of the universe's most valuable substance: melange, or 'spice'. This elusive drug has the power to prolong life, enhance mental abilities, and is essential for space travel, making it the most coveted resource in existence. Melange is found only on Arrakis, a harsh, arid world covered with vast deserts. Whoever controls Arrakis and its spice production holds immense power. When the Emperor bestows the stewardship of Arrakis upon House Atreides, the former rulers, House Harkonnen, conspire bloody revenge. Duke Leto Atreides is brutally murdered, and his son Paul, along with his mother Lady Jessica, are forced to flee into the deserts of Arrakis. In the unforgiving desert, Paul and Jessica encounter the Fremen, the enigmatic and fierce desert dwellers who have adapted to the planet's extreme conditions. The Fremen, with their mastery of sandworms—the colossal creatures that roam the sands—hold the key to surviving on Arrakis. As Paul and Jessica integrate into Fremen society, Paul becomes a figure of prophecy and must rise to leadership. To avenge his father and reclaim control of Arrakis, Paul must gain the trust of the Fremen and lead a revolution against the overwhelming forces that stand against him. Throughout his journey, Paul's visions and newfound abilities propel him towards his fate, forever altering the course of humanity. Dune is a tale of adventure, mysticism, environmentalism, and political intrigue. Frank Herbert's masterful world-building and intricate plotting make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers. And his journey will change the universe.