It’s been twelve years since the teenage Paul Atreides filled the void left by his slain father, the Duke Leto, and seized his own destiny, leading the people of Arrakis to victory over the vile Harkonnens. But now, Paul is no longer the boy wonder fated to rid the desert planet of foreign invaders and restore peace and prosperity. For he’s the emperor. A God among men. The ordained messiah of the Fremen. And he’s on a collision course for galactic domination—whether he wants it or not.

After usurping the role once held by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, Paul unwittingly initiated a war on the universe. His religious clout serves as the driving force behind the Fremen’s jihad. And his monarchy is ruled with the same callous authority once demonstrated by his adversaries. The “spice” mélange is now his, and his alone to monopolize. Gone are the days of fighting deceit in the name of righteousness and morality. For his name has become just as villainous. Now, he must fight just to keep the Atreides reign alive.

Scorned and marginalized by Paul’s political aspirations, the Spacing Guild, Bene Gesserit, and Tleilaxu conspire to overthrow the emperor, hitting him where they know he’s at his most vulnerable: the heir to his throne. Without one, he risks losing consolidation. But he also knows an heir may also risk more than just his name, for his worries run deeper than simply preserving his empire, and his apocalyptic visions hold all the proof he needs to take drastic action.