Honestly, that is encouraging. It's probably been about two years since my first reading, so I've forgotten some of the first and would probably need to reread it as a refresher. I started Dune Messiah and was interested, but ultimately chickened out after the first chapter for the above explained reasons. Thanks for the recommendations. I'd love to hear others seconding or 'thirding' the opinion, because I really loved the book that much and was so afraid of losing my adoration of it from weak sequels. But I so sincerely wanted more as well, and I appreciate you and others talking me into it.