The forecast is for rain. Fremen tradition has turned to religious fanaticism. Desert stillsuits are becoming fashion trends. The old ways are being drowned out as water threatens the desert, the sandworms, and production of melange.

It is nine years after the events of Dune Messiah and the interplanetary jihad unleashed in Paul “Muad'Dib” Atreides' name has continued unabated. His sister, Alia, rules the empire. Paul's twins, Leto and Ghanima, are now orphans.

Being an Atreides twin means dealing with psychic phenomena, Bene Gesserit mind games, and an awareness of plots within plots, all while containing the knowledge and experiences of past ancestors. In addition to their pre-born memories, their genetic makeup has given them prescience, the enhanced ability of seeing hidden threads between past, present, and future. They are ancient souls trapped in the form of nine-year-olds.

On planet Salusa Secundus, Princess Wensicia is plotting to kill the twins and return House Corrino to power. Meanwhile on Arrakis, a mysterious preacher from the desert keeps turning up in the Imperial city to issue curses and dire warnings. Lady Jessica and Gurney Halleck have returned from Caladan amidst rumors of Alia's increasingly erratic behavior and possible possession.

Both Leto and Ghanima may have to contend with a fate similar to Alia's. They have a plan—a vision with more than one possible result. Prescience can be a curse, and no outcome is certain. These are the theoretical and philosophical conundrums presented by Frank Herbert.

As increasing amounts of melange are added, the stakes for humanity's future are raised. Children of Dune is the finale to the original Dune trilogy, a story that accelerates down the elusive “Golden Path” toward a resolution that will affect the next four millennia. A path that crosses through danger, betrayal, intrigue, and an unprecedented level of intimacy with sandworm DNA.