So far, I have only read these four of the series. Currently, my clear favorite remains Messiah, followed closely by Dune, with Children and then God Emperor bringing up the rear. Here are some immediate impressions of God Emperor, mainly me just wanting to complain. Spoilers ahead.

This book, I found so annoying. I wish Leto would spend more time speaking clearly and less time reflecting upon how pitiful it is that no one can understand him. I hope that is supposed to be indicative of the shape of mankind's spirit during these books, that the best way for Leto to communicate his incredible wisdom, is through babbling incessant nonsensical simplicities masqueraded as sagacity. Nayla did all of mankind a service with her lasgun so that the book might end sooner. Leto kept using a lot of words to say very little that was profound.

Always hints, metaphors, riddles, not much bothering if he is understood. Wishing for people to realize things for themselves and ask the right questions, never speaking directly to others as one would to equals. No wonder the great Leto was so lonely. He in Hwi wanted someone to immediately feel how he was, not much interested in helping others know how he was. But perhaps this was intentional, and mankind was in such a miserable state that religion and state had to be united as one, and not merely as one in his own person, that he must despair so much of companionship and could not even bother being direct. Perhaps the Golden Path was the only way for mankind to be capable of clear thinking. But it hardly makes it a more enjoyable read for me. Or him a more enjoyable character.

I hope Frank Herbert intended the reader to be incredibly annoyed with the Worm Who Most Definitely Is Not God. The catharsis I felt when the book was done, most excellent. I loved Duncan Idaho (whom Leto also loved), Malky stole the show as my favoritest character in the book for the few pages he was present (which makes me reflect on how Leto too treasured him), but (or rather, and?) everyone else mainly just got on my nerves. Hwi I was indifferent towards. And again, I keep wondering if much of my response was the intention of the author, if I'm supposed to feel liberated and free now that the Tyrant Worm (and, I assume, his stale regime) is dead, supposed to love those little blips of personality and humanity that Leto also loved. Perhaps Herbert did a masterful job having me feel the world as Leto did. Because if so, bravo.

I'm not sure if I want to continue reading the series. I probably will, to satisfy the completionist in me, but man, God Emperor just felt so distasteful to me.