Dune Books in Order: How Many Dune Books Are There?
Frank Herbert wrote six Dune novels, published between 1965 and 1985, beginning with Dune. After his death in 1986, his son Brian Herbert and the writer Kevin J. Anderson continued the saga with more than fifteen prequels and sequels, bringing the total to over twenty books.
Most readers start with Frank Herbert's original six in publication order; many stop after the first three, which form a complete arc.
| Order | Frank Herbert's original novels |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dune (1965) |
| 2 | Dune Messiah (1969) |
| 3 | Children of Dune (1976) |
| 4 | God Emperor of Dune (1981) |
| 5 | Heretics of Dune (1984) |
| 6 | Chapterhouse: Dune (1985) |
What are Frank Herbert's Dune books in order?
The original series follows the Atreides family and the desert planet Arrakis over thousands of years. Dune (1965) tells of Paul Atreides's rise. Dune Messiah (1969) shows Paul as emperor, trapped by his own legend. Children of Dune (1976) follows his twins, Leto and Ghanima. God Emperor of Dune (1981) jumps 3,500 years ahead to Leto's long reign. Heretics of Dune (1984) and Chapterhouse: Dune (1985) take place another 1,500 years later and focus on the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. Chapterhouse ends on a cliffhanger, because Frank Herbert died before writing the next book.
↑ Back to the topWhich books finish the original story?
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson wrote Hunters of Dune (2006) and Sandworms of Dune (2007), based on Frank Herbert's notes for a seventh book. They conclude the story left open at the end of Chapterhouse.
↑ Back to the topWhat are the prequel books?
The pair also wrote several prequel series. Prelude to Dune (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, House Corrino, 1999 to 2001) is set a generation before Dune. Legends of Dune (The Butlerian Jihad, The Machine Crusade, The Battle of Corrin, 2002 to 2004) tells of humanity's war against thinking machines ten thousand years earlier. Heroes of Dune (Paul of Dune, 2008; The Winds of Dune, 2009) fills in gaps between the original novels. Great Schools of Dune (Sisterhood of Dune, Mentats of Dune, Navigators of Dune, 2012 to 2016) shows the founding of the Bene Gesserit and other orders and inspired the TV series Dune: Prophecy. The Caladan trilogy (The Duke of Caladan, The Lady of Caladan, The Heir of Caladan, 2020 to 2022) is set just before Dune, and Princess of Dune (2023) follows Princess Irulan and Chani.
↑ Back to the topHow many Dune books are there?
There are six Dune novels by Frank Herbert. Counting the later books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, there are more than twenty novels set in the Dune universe, plus short stories, graphic novels and companion books.
↑ Back to the topIn what order should you read the Dune books?
Start with Frank Herbert's six novels in publication order, beginning with Dune. Many readers find the first book complete on its own, and the first three make a satisfying trilogy about Paul and his children. If you want more, read Hunters and Sandworms of Dune to finish the story, then the prequels in any order you like. Reading by publication order is usually better than by in-world chronology, because the original novels introduce the world as Frank Herbert intended.
↑ Back to the topWhich books do the Dune films cover?
Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024) together adapt the first novel. A third film, Dune: Part Three, based on Dune Messiah, is set for US release on December 18, 2026.
↑ Back to the topMore about Dune
Written by Tori Books for readers and students.