"Dune Books: Reading in Chronological Order"

Ever since Frank Herbert released his groundbreaking sci-fi novel *Dune* in 1965, readers have been captivated by the intricate political machinations and expansive universe of his influential series. Herbert himself wrote six novels during his lifetime, but following his death, his son Brian Herbert and bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson have expanded the *Dune* universe, bringing the total number of novels to an impressive 23, spanning a timeline of 15,000 years. If you're eager to delve into this vast saga and wondering where to begin, we've got you covered.

With *Dune: Messiah* on the horizon, now is the perfect time to embark on the journey through the novels that ignited this epic saga. Below, we've outlined the complete *Dune* book timeline to help you navigate your reading experience. Reading the *Dune* books in order can be somewhat challenging, depending on your starting point.

How Many Dune Books Are There?

The *Dune* franchise currently boasts 23 novels, with 6 of these penned by Frank Herbert himself. The rest, while officially part of the canon, were authored by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Each of these books fits into the *Dune* timeline and adds depth to the expansive universe.

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How to Read the Original Series in Order

To fully appreciate the original series crafted by Frank Herbert, follow this sequence:

• Dune
• Dune Messiah
• Children of Dune
• God Emperor of Dune
• Heretics of Dune
• Chapterhouse: Dune

All Dune Books: Chronological Reading Order

*Warning: Each of the blurbs in this piece contains spoilers for the Dune book series.*

The Butlerian Jihad by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Butlerian Jihad by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

9 $9.99 save 0% $9.99 at Amazon Despite being written decades after the original *Dune*, Herbert and Anderson use this prequel—the first in a trilogy—to lay the groundwork for the universe's lore. Set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert's original novel, this story chronicles the onset of a devastating war between the last free humans and the artificial intelligence and robotics they once created, setting the stage for the technologically-limited world of *Dune*.

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The Machine Crusade by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Machine Crusade by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

10 $9.99 save 25% $7.48 at Amazon In the second book of Herbert and Anderson's trilogy, readers are introduced to key figures in the *Dune* universe, including ancestors of House Atreides and House Harkonnen. As the war continues, the narrative delves into the complex worldbuilding and intricate plotlines, setting the scene for an epic final confrontation.

The Battle of Corrin by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Dune: The Battle of Corrin

5 $9.99 save 0% $9.99 at Amazon Occurring 100 years after *The Butlerian Jihad*, this book sees the sinister AI, Ominus, edging closer to universal domination. As the war reaches its most brutal phase, pivotal events unfold that establish the status quo of the original *Dune* novel, introducing the battle-hardened Fremen that Paul encounters.

Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Sisterhood of Dune

6 $11.99 See it at Amazon The next chronological entry in Herbert and Anderson's trilogies is "Schools of Dune," set 83 years after the previous story. It explores a universe without "thinking machines" and the ripple effects on society. The narrative follows various characters across the galaxy, shedding light on the burgeoning Butlerian movement and the underlying tensions threatening the universe.

Mentats of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Mentats of Dune

5 $9.99 save 5% $9.49 at Amazon With the near-total destruction of thinking machines, a new school emerges to train "Mentats," humans with exceptional cognitive abilities. Alongside this, other academies arise, including a new sisterhood on Wallach IX. A young woman within their ranks seeks vengeance, threatening to unravel everything as the schools and the universe struggle to survive amidst rising Butlerian fanaticism.

Navigators of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Navigators of Dune

5 $9.99 save 6% $9.41 at Amazon This final installment in the trilogy delves deeper into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, Mentat, and Suk Schools, while highlighting the escalating threat of anti-technology forces inspired by the Butlerian Jihad. The narrative questions whether reason can prevail against growing fanaticism across the universe.

House Atreides by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

House Atreides

4 $9.99 save 25% $7.49 at Amazon Set 35 years before the events of the original *Dune* novels, this first book in the Prelude to Dune trilogy introduces major characters such as Leto Atreides, Duncan Idaho, Baron Harkonnen, and the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. The narrative weaves complex political intrigues and sets the stage for the epic battle that will alter the universe.

House Harkonnen by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

House Harkonnen

1 $9.99 save 0% $9.99 at Amazon Continuing the Prelude trilogy, this novel further establishes the groundwork for the original *Dune* novels. It chronicles the power struggles between Houses Harkonnen and Atreides, and the Bene Gesserit's plot to create the Kwisatz Haderach through Leto and his concubine Jessica, offering insight into the events leading to Herbert's beloved books.

House Corrino by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

House Corrino

2 $14.21 save 0% $14.21 at Amazon Concluding the Prelude trilogy, this action-packed novel focuses on Leto, Jessica, and their soon-to-be-born son Paul. As the Bene Gesserit eagerly anticipate the arrival of their chosen one, the narrative hints at the potential dissatisfaction with the outcome, a familiar theme for readers of the original *Dune* books.

Princess of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Princess of Dune

5 $28.99 save 0% $28.99 at Amazon This companion novel delves into the lives of the two women significant to Paul Atreides: his wife, Irulan, and his lover, Chani. Their parallel stories provide an expansive view of the women surrounding Paul, exploring how their experiences shaped their paths to him.

The Duke of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Duke of Caladan

3 $27.99 save 27% $20.49 at Amazon The final new trilogy before reaching Frank Herbert's first *Dune* novel, the Caladan stories focus on Paul's father, Leto Atreides, and his ascent to power. Through integrity and action, Duke Leto gains influence in the galaxy's political center, yet his rise sets him on a perilous and ultimately fatal path.

The Lady of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Lady of Caladan

4 $28.99 save 45% $15.99 at Amazon When Lady Jessica defies the Bene Gesserit, her life changes irreversibly. This book examines how her decision impacts the universe, as she navigates the ancient order's opposition, driven by her love for her family and the stakes of survival.

The Heir of Caladan by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Heir of Caladan

2 $19.99 save 0% $19.99 at Amazon As this trilogy concludes, the focus shifts to Paul Atreides, known as Muad'Dib, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and leadership. For readers who have come this far, the reward awaits in the original novel that started it all.

Frank Herbert's Dune

Frank Herbert's Dune

1 $10.99 save 10% $9.89 at Amazon The cornerstone of the *Dune* saga, Frank Herbert's original novel introduces readers to House Atreides and their young son Paul as they seek control of the lucrative Spice trade on the desert planet Arrakis. This dense, richly detailed book is essential for understanding the vast scope of Herbert's creation and, despite being the first published, now sits mid-way in the chronological reading order due to subsequent prequels.

Paul of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Paul of Dune

2 $10.99 save 0% $10.99 at Amazon Serving as both a prequel and sequel to *Dune*, this novel follows Paul Atreides before and after the events of the first book. It delves into his early involvement in the universe's political machinations and his later life among the Fremen and with his lover Chani.

Frank Herbert's Dune Messiah

Frank Herbert's Dune Messiah

1 $9.99 save 10% $8.99 at Amazon In Herbert's second novel, we catch up with Paul Atreides a decade after his ascension to Emperor. Having inspired a universal Jihad among the Fremen, Paul grapples with the unintended consequences of his actions, using his prescient visions to attempt altering the future he has set in motion.

The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

The Winds of Dune

0 $13.99 save 21% $10.99 at Amazon Set between *Dune Messiah* and *Children of Dune*, this novel follows Paul's mother Jessica, his sister and Emperor Regent Alia, and Duncan Idaho. It provides additional context and history to Herbert's original writings, enriching the universe's lore and character development.

Frank Herbert's Children of Dune

Children of Dune

2 $9.99 save 10% $8.99 at Amazon As Arrakis undergoes ecological transformation, Paul Atreides' young children, Leto and Ghanima, confront their father's legacy. They navigate their destinies amidst threats to the Spice trade and the emergence of new leadership, continuing the saga's exploration of power and destiny.

Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune

Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune

1 $9.99 save 10% $8.99 at Amazon 3,500 years after the events of *Children of Dune*, we find Leto transformed into a Sandworm hybrid, ruling the universe with an iron grip. This novel examines his long reign and its impact on the cosmos as he strives to maintain control over the Spice trade and his empire.

Frank Herbert's Heretics of Dune

Frank Herbert's Heretics of Dune

0 $9.99 save 0% $9.99 at Amazon Set 1,500 years after the death of God Emperor Leto, this novel depicts a universe where humanity flourishes once more and Sandworms reappear. Three new civilizations vie for power, with the Bene Gesserit facing a pivotal decision about their role in the universe's political landscape.

Frank Herbert's Chapterhouse: Dune

In Herbert's final novel, the Bene Gesserit find themselves in a fierce struggle against the Honored Matres, another matriarchal organization. The narrative ends on a cliffhanger, which Herbert was unable to resolve due to his passing. However, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson later continued the story.

Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Hunters of Dune

1 $10.99 save 14% $9.49 at Amazon The first in a duology based on notes left by Frank Herbert for *Dune 7*, this book continues the saga from *Chapterhouse: Dune*. It explores the aftermath of the war between the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matres, and the return of humanity's descendants scattered by God Emperor Leto.

Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Sandworms of Dune

1 $10.99 save 10% $9.89 at Amazon Filled with clones, surprising returns, and a major reveal about the series' antagonists, this novel serves as the climax to the entire *Dune* saga. With its complex structure and epic final battle, it weaves together the many threads left by the original books into a grand conclusion.

Will There Be More Dune?

Dune 2-Film Collection [4K UHD]

0 $54.99 save 18% $44.99 at Amazon It's possible that Brian Herbert may author more *Dune* books, but the tremendous success of the *Dune* and *Dune Part 2* movies ensures that the saga will continue on screen. *Dune: Prophecy* is now streaming on Max, focusing on the founding of the Bene Gesserit, potentially drawing from the "Sisterhood of Dune" book. Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve is preparing a third and possibly final film, an adaptation of *Dune Messiah*, slated for release in late 2026. Additionally, a new video game, *Dune: Awakening*, an open-world survival MMO by Funcom, is set to launch in early 2025 on PC, with console releases to follow.