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THE ULTIMATE FANDOM NEWSLETTER

Next release: OCTOBER 18 | 4 PM EDT

The FHQ

My thoughts exactly...

If you like science fiction tied into a fantastical story of family, and the balance of politics and religion, look no further than Frank Herbert’s Dune. This epic novel covers every area of interest a reader could want. From warring houses of power, love, devious schemes, and self-discovery, all tied together with a string of words so eloquent that a reader can’t help but envision the story in their imagination as vividly as if it were playing out in front of them, this is a must-read book.

At almost 800 pages, it seems like a daunting undertaking, but reading this felt as if time had frozen in place each time that I picked it up. I was ready to delve into this world of twists, turns, and heart-wrenching adventure that had my mind and heart rate elevated with every page I turned. With five additional books to further the plot, Dune is a masterpiece that will hold the reader for chapters on end.

For more of a dive into specifics for those who have read the book, please scroll down to the 🚨 Spoilers 🚨 section to discuss the spice-y details. Plus, don't forget to leave your own review below to tell us your thoughts!

Trigger Warnings and Ratings

While we all love reading books, sometimes they can have some themes and topics that may not be appropriate for everyone. To help figure out if this book is suitable for you, please first take a look at the warnings we have included and choose if this book is right for you!

🚨 SPOILERS 🚨

Read ahead if you dare, there may be spoilers or sandworms...

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Last chance to turn back now

Remember, move with the sounds of the desert... But here we'll get in to the nitty gritty. With so many topics to touch on, I've given you the option to read my thoughts on the characters and a few choice topics of the book separately, in case it's a lot to SIFT through.. ha.. because sand...

That's what we do, we drink and we know things

Spice-d Tea

Ingredients:

  • 4 c. boiling water
  • 4 c. cold water
  • 6 bags of Tiger Spice tea
    *You can swap for Chai, but English Breakfast and Orange Pekoe work as well for a milder flavor!
  • 1/4 c. Lemon juice

Optional:

  • 1/2 c. to 1 c. of sweetener, to taste.
    *Honey, white/brown/cane sugar, Stevia, syrup, whichever is your go-to!
  • Citrus slices
  • Mint or Basil
  • 1-2oz. Spiced Rum, Vodka, or Amaretto

Directions:

  1. Add tea bags to boiled water and steep for 10-15 minutes.
    *10 for regular strength, 15 for a little extra punch
  2. Remove tea bags and stir in sweetener of choice (if desired) to taste
    *I prefer 1/2 c. of honey for a smooth flavor
  3. Once sweetener is dissolved, add cold water and lemon juice and chill in refrigerator
  4. After an hour, the Spice-d tea is ready to enjoy
    *For adults, here is where you can 'spice' it up a little extra with the spirit of your choice. I like Amaretto for a cherry flavor
  5. Curl up with Dune and enjoy!!

EAT IT, NERD!

Spice Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 2 2/3 c. (350g) all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
  • 3/4 cup (180g) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup (80g) unsulphured molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Coating

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

There's a cookie in the oven!

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium sized bowl and set aside
  3. In a large mixing bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugars on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes or until smooth, light and fluffy
  4. Scrape down the bowl and add the egg, molasses, and vanilla and mix again on the same speed for another 2-3 minutes. The mixture should be silky, light and creamy
  5. Pour in half of the dry ingredients and mix on medium-low speed until barely combined. Scrape down the bowl and then pour in the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix again on that same low speed until just combined
  6. Use a rubber spatula to manually mix together the dough, working in any dry ingredients that may have settled to the bottom of the bowl
  7. Off to the side, add the sugar and cinnamon to a bowl and mix to combine
  8. Using a 2 oz. ice cream scoop, or 1/4 measuring cup, scoop out the dough and toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture
  9. Place about 5 cookies on the large baking sheet, evenly and well spaced apart. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown and the center is pale and puffed. The cookies will darken, flatten, and settle as they cool
    If the cookies spread a bit too much, use a fork to nudge in the sides right when you pull the cookies from the oven.
  10. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Continue to bake the rest of the cookies and then enjoy!

SATIS-FACT-ION

How many of these fun facts did you know? Did we miss any? Let us know when you submit your review!

A person in layered clothing faces a giant sandworm

Dune is frequently described as the “world’s best-selling science fiction novel”.

Two 'analog' magazines with Dune covers sit on a grey table

Frank Herbert originally published Dune as two separate serials in Analog Magazine.

The Dune books in a collectors case

The author wrote 5 sequels: Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune.

A man with blue eyes in a black top stands next to a woman with brown hair and black top

David Lynch first adapted Dune to film in 1984. The second film adaptation released on October 21, 2021, by director Denis Villeneuve.

A man with blue eyes stand with a glowing yellow sun behind him

The Sci-fi Channel made a Dune mini-series in 2000. They also made a Children of Dune mini-series sequel in 2003.

A man with a red beard faces forward with the words 'the sabres of paradise' written infront of him

Herbert was heavily inspired by Lesley Blanch’s The Sabres of Paradise about mid-19th century conflict in Caucasus between Islamic tribes and the Russian Empire. He borrows terms/words from both sides of the conflict in the novel.

A hand holds spices that are overflowing above a sandy floor

Herbert says he was inspired by the use of mushrooms for many factors in the book, such as spice and sandworms.

A person in a cloak holding a large weapon stands infront of a giant statue on the ground

Herbert won a Nebula Award for Best Novel in its inaugural year, 1966. He also tied for a Hugo Award in 1966 with Roger Zelazny’s This Immortal.

FAN REVIEWS

Anonymous

Reading Dune started my Sci-Fi renaissance

Next Month on Book Glug

Abarat by Clive Barker

Join us in reading the best-selling book Abarat, written and illustrated by Clive Barker!

Get your copy here or at your local book store!

Important note: we make no money off of purchases using the Amazon link. We just want to help you find the book.

And when you're done, submit your review. See you next month, nerds!