Dune

I had put off reading this book for so long because it was considered by many to be a very difficult read, but I actually found it not that bad. The first part of the book is definitely the most difficult as you are bombarded with names and terms that have no context until you get more into the story, but once past that it hits its stride and you are swept up in an epic world of intrigue, strangeness and mysticism that kept me turning pages and wanting to know more. Although it's sci fi, I certainly felt the edge of fantasy creeping in at the edges and I really enjoyed that blend. Arrakis is an endlessly interesting and highly visual world to explore and the political machinations kept me on edge. I very much enjoyed it. However, there were a few things that kept it from being a full 5 stars, namely the absolute over use of the word ‘presently'. I wanted to start counting how many times it was used, as it sadly would bring me out of the story every time it appeared just from sheer quantity throughout the book. I also found the end a bit obscure. I realize it's a series of books, but it felt very unfinished at the end and I wish more was wrapped up. Otherwise I was pleasantly surprised by Dune and I can see why it has been on the top of the sci fi legendarium for so long.