Dune ~ Frank Herbert
Most of my dusty summer was dominated by Dune. Here's what I think: The characters are sophisticated, the warfare is romantic, and the story escalates at just the right pace. I enjoyed the way the story was set up, balancing what the reader knows with what the characters suspect. The world of Dune is intriguing and intricate, and its mythology is a revelation. The ending was satisfying, but this is one book of several -- so it isn't over yet.