Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert is a grandaddy of science fiction and Dune is his magnum opus.  Before the Chalamet of it all, there was a planet of spice fought over by many factions.  On the periphery are the people who were born there and learned to live on the planet before the colonizers and exploiters arrived.  It is an old tale and a new one.  Paul is a messianic figure, but a likeable one.  He seems to know the ways of the planet instinctually.  The folklore and mythology are well thought out.  The characters are regal and relatable.  The hierarchy is military and religious. The trickiest part of science fiction is usually the world building, but you can tell that Herbert puts his heart and soul into it.  Though there are many others in the Dune world you can tell that this first installment was his baby.

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