The Dune series. Wow.
To begin with, I'd recommend anyone over the age of 13 who likes sci-fi reads it. It has a rich, complex storyline sustained through the entire series written by Frank Herbert. The story is more clearly explained in the subsequent works written by his son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson. For those who are not already fans, Dune is a series of six books, entitled Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emporer of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune.These stories are about a desert planet on which giant worms reign (as in up to a quarter of a mile long and 50 meters in diameter). These creatures have an unknown link to a drug called spice, or melange, which most of humanity in the universe is at least slightly addicted to having in their food. There are five main powers in the universe:
The Padishah Emperor: Leader of the Known Universe, and able to do just about whatever the heck he wants. Speaks for itself. Known mainly as the Emporer.
C.H.O.A.M.: Combine Honette Ober Advancer Mercantiles, or the merchants and traders of the universe. They have control over most space travel. Also called The Guild.
Bene Gesserit Sisterhood: A group of women who have specially trained powers of detection, knowledge, self control, and self defence. Has a complex breeding program for the ultimate human, but keeps it secret, as they do with most things. Known as the Sisterhood, the witches, and many things that are probably better left unmentioned.
The Great Houses: The nobility of the universe. Though there are many lesser houses, as wel as Great Houses, the main ones that enter into the story are Atreides, Harkonnen, Corrino, Richise, and Vernius.
Bene Tleilax: Genetics experts, they are able to bring the dead to life in the form of a ghola. They are also a mysterious group, as the Bene Gesserit are, but are completely opposite in that there have been no sightings of females from outsiders. Then again, few outsiders would want to see a Tleilaxu at any time.
Well, I'll try to keep posting. Though it is unlikely this will be read, comment if you do read it. PLEASE!