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How Many Dune Books are There?

How Many Dune Books are There

While you wait for Part II of the Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros’ Dune to arrive in theatres if you have questions like how many Dune books are there? How to read it in sequence? and if you’re eager to immerse yourself in Frank Herbert’s Dune books which is the famed science fiction and comic adaptation of this entire universe, Congrats! A fantastic blog journey awaits you.

Dune, which was rejected by twenty, major publishers before being accepted by an auto manual publisher in 1965, is one of the most influential Sci-Fi books ever.

It is also recognized as one of the iconic graphic novels and a masterpiece in the sci-fi genre and one of the finest books of all time.

Image by Priscilla Du Preez / Unsplash

More than 10 years after Herbert’s death, one of Frank Herbert’s children which is Frank Herbert’s son Brian and science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson worked together to create a trilogy of prequel novels to the Dune series.

Read on for a thorough study of the novels, which are listed below in the order that they were published. Good day, spice heads!

1. How Many Dune Books Are There?

There are 25 Dune novels. Let’s see about those 25 books in detail.

1.1. Dune – Authored by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert wrote the first book among the collections of Dune books, First Dune takes place in a distant future interplanetary feudal society where powerful noble houses compete for control over resources, armies, and planetary authority. House Atreides is ordered to seize control of Arrakis, a hostile desert world.

Only on Arrakis is it possible to harvest melange, a natural resource that produces spice, a hallucinogen that allows people to liberate their minds. House Atreides on the crucial planet Arrakis is betrayed by rival House Harkonnen, sparking a battle for control of that world.

On the planet itself, giant sandworms and an indigenous race known as Fremen reside. They have learned to live for ages by exploiting water as their most precious resource and means of trade.

1.2. Dune Messiah – Authored by Frank Herbert

Dune Messiah, the first sequel to Herbert’s universe, Paul Atreides’s character, now known as Muad’Dib, rules over the known globe as the most powerful king ever. In the Dune Messiah story, Paul, who is regarded as a hero by the people of Arrakis, faces antagonism from the competing political houses that he governs.

So, in Dune Messiah, is it designed for one king to hold such unrestricted power? As Herbert disassembles his previous novel Dune Messiah, he cautions about the most terrible catastrophe.

1.3. Children of Dune – Authored by Frank Herbert

This starts 9 years after the mysterious disappearance of Paul Atreides into the wastelands of Arrakis. Alia, the clever queen of the Empire, wants the twins’ prophetic abilities, but these two young prophets aren’t looking to play games.

1.4. God Emperor of Dune – Authored by Frank Herbert

Leto Atreides is the monarch of the once-arid planet of Arrakis, which is now a lush paradise in Dune God Emperor. Since the events of Children of Dune, 3500 years have passed.

Leto merged with the sandworm thousands of years ago, gaining immortality, but at a horrible cost to his humanity. Can Siona, a rival relative, lead a revolt against this horrible dictator?

1.5. Heretics of Dune – Authored by Frank Herbert

In Dune Heretics, Leto Atreides has passed away, Arrakis now known as Rakis is once more a barren wasteland, and the Galatic Empire rests and is in ruins. Sheeana – A young girl, appears to carry out a prophecy made by the dead God Emperor of Dune, igniting excitement among the many religions of the galaxy. Will Sheeana restore the Empire to its former grandeur?

1.6. Chapterhouse: Dune – Authored by Frank Herbert

In Herbert’s concluding Chapterhouse Dune novel, Arrakis has been destroyed. And the mysterious matriarchal Bene Gesserit organization now rules the Empire in Chapterhouse Dune.

In Chapterhouse Dune’s novel, by cultivating sandworms and making an effort to control the production of spices on the planet Chapterhouse. Also, the sisters want to improve the galaxy in Chapterhouse Dune.

1.7. House Atreides – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

The story of Paul’s father Leto Atreides, who lived in the period before Dune, is told in the first volume of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Prelude to Dune trilogy. We can see how Leto ii Atreides’ relationships and interpersonal issues served as the seeds for the events of Dune in House Atreides.

1.8. House Harkonnen – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, a longtime foe of Leto Atreides, makes an appearance in House Harkonnen. We also learn more about the Baron’s opponent and brother, Abulurd Rabban. Who knew House Harkonnen was home to good people?

1.9. House Corrino – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

In House Corrino, Brian and Anderson complete their prequel trilogy and bring the story up to the major events that will occur in Dune. This tapestry of politics, hostility, and spice wars comes to an end in House Corrino, with the birth of Paul Atreides, preparing us for the epic adventure we already know and adore.

1.10. The Butlerian Jihad – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

The development of the Dune plot in original authors Brian Herbert and Anderson’s new trilogy, Legends of Dune, was inspired by Frank Herbert’s “Dune 7” notes.

The first chapter, The Butlerian Jihad, explores a moment in history that Herbert repeatedly alludes to but never completely describes: the age when the human race fought for their freedom from “the thinking machines.”

The well-known chess pieces are introduced in this volume, which is set 10,000 years before Dune.

1.11. The Machine Crusade – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

The Machine Crusade, which takes place 20 years after The Butlerian Jihad, is the next chapter in Legends of Dune. Meanwhile, on Arrakis, a band of outlaws begins their transformation into the Fremen, a race of people beloved by original Dune enthusiasts.

The intelligent devices resist and won’t go peacefully into that good night.

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

Amazing sandworm on the cover! The third book in the Legends of Dune trilogy, The Battle of Corrin, sets up the last post-apocalyptic conflict between humans and machines. Even though Dune aficionados are aware of how the narrative ends, seeing Herbert and Anderson get it is nevertheless enjoyable.

1.13. Hunters of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

In a long-lost plot summary that was discovered concealed in one of the author’s safe deposit boxes, Herbert reveals the conclusion of his six original works in the two-volume spin-off series Dune Sequels.

In Hunters of Dune, we pick up with the fugitives who were last seen battling for humanity’s survival and honing their skills as they fled.

1.14. Sandworms of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Herbert and Anderson address additional urgent questions about Arrakis’ future and the outcome of the battle between man and machine in this second installment of the Dune Sequels series.

1.15. Paul of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

This first installment of the Heroes of Dune spin-off series by Paul Atreides takes place in the interim between Dune and Dune Messiah. At the end of Dune, Paul is in charge of Arrakis, but when the Dune Messiah’s story starts, he is in charge of the whole galaxy. How did Paul succeed in conquering the Empire? Find out by reading Paul of Dune.

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

Heroes of Dune’s second and final chapter takes place after Dune Messiah’s events. The Winds of Dune begins with the Empire in chaos and the succession in doubt following Paul Atreides’ kidnapping in the Arrakis desert. Who will keep everything in working order?

1.17. Sisterhood of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Almost a century has passed after the crucial Battle of Corrin when Sisterhood of Dune, the first novel in the Great Schools of Dune trilogy, is set.

As a result of the collapse of the thinking machines, political and religious movements expand, preparing the ground for an epic conflict between reason and faith. You should read this novel in order to get ready for the upcoming HBO film Dune: The Sisterhood.

1.18. Mentats of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

After the thinking machines are destroyed, a new school is founded to teach humans the efficient techniques employed by thinking machines. However, the Butlerian jihadists fiercely oppose any machinist way of life and start a conflict with the Mentat School.

The future of humanity is at stake in what comes next, and a potentially dark age is at stake.

1.19. Navigators of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Continue reading if you want to learn more about the Bene Gesserit sisterhood from Herbert’s original books. Reading Navigators of Dune is a wise choice. The Bene Gesserit sisterhood’s history is examined, along with the evolution of their hermit lifestyle, in this third and concluding volume of the Great Schools of Dune trilogy.

When Sisterhood of Dune airs on HBO Max, this one is key.

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

The Caladan Trilogy, the most current trilogy by Herbert and Anderson, begins with The Duke of Caladan, one of the Dune prequels about Leto Atreides’ life.

How did the peaceful planet’s ruler become so important in a terrible cosmic story? You should take up this book right immediately if you have that query.

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

The prequel about Lady Jessica, the mother of Paul Atreides, by Herbert and Anderson goes all the way back to the original Dune. In The Lady of Caladan, Lady Jessica must come to terms with her decision to abandon her ancient mother’s order, the Bene Gesserit, as fate converges on her husband and son.

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

Paul Atreides may be the subject of every piece written about him, yet you still can’t get enough of him. You may take a book from us. The Caladan Trilogy comes to a close in The Heir of Caladan, which explores the young heir’s transition from teenager to messiah in great detail.

1.23. Sands of Dune – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

The fact that each novella is situated in an obscure corner of the Dune world will appeal to superfans. What precisely did Gurney Halleck accomplish while he was purportedly working as a clandestine Arrakis smuggler?

What’s it like to be an aggressive Sardaukar? How did Shadout Mapes change from a Fremen freedom fighter to an imperial housewife? Sands of Dune contains the solutions if you’ve ever had these questions.

1.24. Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1 – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Why stop there if the Dune universe might be expanded into other mediums in addition to additional books? In this graphic novel adaptation of Dune, well-known, wonderfully illustrated sequences are walked readers through beat by beat.

The stunning visual language added to the text by Ral Allén and Patricia Martín makes this book a terrific gift for anyone who hasn’t read Dune

1.25. Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 2: Muad’Dib – Authored by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

The story of Dune is continued in the second installment of the graphic novel series, which starts with Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica stranded in the desolate wasteland of Arrakis.

After being betrayed by a member of their own noble house and learning that their family is on the verge of extinction, Paul and Jessica are forced to chase the elusive Fremen or risk being abandoned by the elements. Life among the Fremen will put Paul’s capacity for giving to the test, resulting in a tragic dance with fate.

2. Obstacles in Reading Dune Book Series

Image by Carp Jennifer / Unsplash

Here is a quick overview of the most common obstacles in reading the Dune book series, the comic adaptation, and the best science fiction book ever written, in case you are interested or know someone who might be one of the Dune fans.

There is no need to fear Dune. After all, the murderer of the mind is fear.

2.1. Obstacle-1:

Dune isn’t a combination of short stories. There are nearly 10,000 years of history in the Dune universe, not to mention all of human life history which is obviously not short stories. The problem is that the majority of that information is left out of the book, which instead plops you into Paul’s room and starts the journey.

It’s intimidating for a very specific reason, yet many readers find it to be an impassable barrier.

2.2. Obstacle-2:

A lot of intriguing concepts are introduced in the first few pages of Dune, but they do so in a way that leaves readers feeling mentally paralyzed: a lot of history is referenced and used without giving readers context to comfort them, and about a dozen different plot threads are introduced but none are developed further until later in the book.

Like many great works of literature, this one’s structure and subject matter are reflected in both. The main character, Paul, is forcibly removed from his watery habitat and placed in a dangerous arid environment.

2.3. Obstacle-3:

The reader is pushed into a harsh situation, much like the author, which helps to evoke some emotion from the reader.

Although the first few chapters might be challenging, there will soon be a massive payout. The terminology starts to make sense, the words for Bene Gesserit and Fremen start to make sense, and we start to feel just a little bit at home.

“Paul then makes a break for it to become a prophet, leaving us to consume his spice dust.” We tracked his development from a lost kid to Muad’dib, but we are no longer able to catch up with him.

Like the millions of residents of Arrakis, we are his adherents. If you smother the reader from the first chapter on, you won’t be able to portray that experience.

2.4. Obstacle-4:

Not all of Dune’s mysteries are revealed in the novel. You must read, think about the data, and draw your own conclusions to have good Dune knowledge.

There is never a completely clear golden path to the answers; rather, there is just enough resolution to pique fleeting curiosity. There is an iceberg of curiosity floating underneath, making it one of the finest mind traps ever made.

Final Words

If you don’t like the author’s writing style, there isn’t really a fix. The best advice is to keep going and remember that each conversational phrase that is only half understood helps to increase overall comprehension. If you are wondering whether Dune books are worthy, of course, they are worthy. The authors have your best interests at heart. Just carry on.

Image by James Bold / Unsplash

The word “classic” is key here. Everyone wants to read the classic storytelling tradition and works of literature, but nobody actually wants to sit down and read them. Dune achieved success in securing a place on the pedestal in an astonishingly little amount of time like Star Wars.

Without the help of any action figures or movie franchises, it is one of the few science fiction works that hold the distinction. Just a really good story!

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