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All 6 Dune books by Frank Herbert, ranked worst to best

By kartik khare | mar 20, 2024, 12:44 pm edt.

If you are a fan of science fiction, chances are you have heard of Dune , the epic story by author Frank Herbert currently being turned into a movie series by director Denis Villenueve. Dune is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important works of science fiction ever written, and has inspired countless other authors, filmmakers, and artists. But where should you start if you want to dive into this rich and complex universe? My answer is simple: start with the first book: Dune , published in 1965.

But not all Dune books are created equal. Herbert wrote six Dune books before his death in 1986, and his son Brian Herbert wrote several sequels and spinoffs after that, working with author Kevin J. Anderson. Fans debate which of the six original books are the best and which are the worst. In this article, I'll share my personal ranking of the original six Dune books by Frank Herbert.

Before that, let's get an idea of the chronology. Here are the six original Dune books in the order in which they were published:

• Dune (1965)
• Dune Messiah (1969)
• Children of Dune (1976)
• God Emperor of Dune (1981)
• Heretics of Dune (1984)
• Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)

With that, let's get into the rankings:

6. Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)

The final book in the series, Chapterhouse: Dune , is also the weakest. It suffers from a lack of focus, a slow pace, and a disappointing ending that leaves many questions unanswered. The book follows the Bene Gesserit — a powerful order of women who use their political acumen and extraordinary abilities to shape the galaxy — as they try to survive attacks from the Honored Matres, a violent faction of former Bene Gesserit who have returned from the Scattering. The book introduces some interesting twists and concepts, such as a new arc for the ghola of Duncan Idaho, the axlotl tanks, and mysterious characters named Daniel and Marty, but it fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the saga. Some fans think it is as anti-climactic conclusion to the epic saga of the desert planet Arrakis and its mysterious spice melange. Before we talk further bout Chapterhouse: Dune , beware that there are SPOILERS AHEAD ! The book picks up where Heretics of Dune left off, with the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood facing multiple threats from the Honored Matres, the violent and hedonistic faction that broke away from them thousands of years ago. Afterwards they joined scattered out into unknown regions of space along with many other peoples following the fall of the God Emperor Leto II, which is covered in the fourth book. Chapterhouse: Dune follows the adventures of several characters, such as Darwi Odrade, the new Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit, who tries to find a way to negotiate with the Honored Matres and preserve the ancient wisdom of her order; Duncan Idaho, the ghola (clone) of the original Duncan Idaho, a companion of Paul Atreides in the very first Dune book who holds the key to a mysterious power that could change the fate of humanity (in the first Dune movie, Idaho is played by Jason Momoa); Sheeana, the young girl who can control the sandworms of Arrakis and who some see as a potential messiah; and Miles Teg, the brilliant military commander who is resurrected as a ghola by a faction of genetic scientists known as the Tleilaxu. He discovers he has new abilities. The book is full of twists and turns, revelations, and surprises, as well as philosophical and religious themes that explore the nature of humanity, free will, evolution, and transcendence. The book also sets up a cliffhanger ending that hints at a possible confrontation with a mysterious enemy that has been manipulating events from behind the scenes. Unfortunately, Frank Herbert died before he could write the seventh book that would have resolved this plotline, leaving fans to speculate and imagine what could have been. Chapterhouse: Dune is a disappointing book that still deserves to be read by fans of the genre. That it works despite its shortcomings is a testament to Frank Herbert's vision and creativity, as well as his ability to create a rich and complex universe that captivates and challenges the reader. It is also a book that raises important questions about our own society and our place in the cosmos. As Herbert himself wrote in the introduction: "Think you of the fact that a deaf person cannot hear. Then, what deafness may we not all possess? What senses do we lack that we cannot see and cannot hear another world all around us?" A lot of fans do not like that Chapterhouse ends on a cliffhanger. I disagree. I will try my best to explain. The six original Dune books cover a period of thousands of years. By the end, a lot of roads has been travelled. There is resolution, but is very open-ended. That open-endedness is a result and consequence of the story that came before. It fits and for me was satisfying. There are unanswered questions but that is the way life is. Herbert avoids magic and fantasy. Everything he writes is based in science and reality, however much of a stretch he makes. If you want everything answered with a bow tied on it, the ending will not satiate you. But for me not only was there resolution, but I liked the end of the series immensely.

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Every dune book ranked worst to best.

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Dune 2: Why The Atreides And Harkonnens Don't Use Their Most Powerful Weapons

Why quentin tarantino refuses to watch denis villeneuve's dune movies: "i don't need to see a movie that says the word 'spice' so dramatically", 7 dune characters who will return for dune 3, according to the book.

• Dive into Frank Herbert's Dune series for a complex sci-fi experience that delves deep into themes of power and influence.
• Brian Herbert has continued expanding the Dune universe, with various adaptations and spin-offs showcasing the series' lasting impact.
• From Paul Atreides to Leto II, each Dune book offers a unique perspective on the intricate world-building and epic storytelling of the series.

Frank Herbert's six-book Dune series has influenced the sci-fi genre for over 50 years, and all the Dune books ranked show the variety of the sci-fi series. Set in the desert planet Arrakis, the first book follows Paul Atreides, a young man destined to be a messiah. What initially appears to be an epic adventure following a Chosen One-type character grows into something far more complex, as the series spans several thousand years. Through its extensive themes and philosophies that tackle power, corruption, hero-worship, capitalism, and ecology, the Dune novels have attracted loyal readers in the decades after the first book was released in 1965 and is considered the forebear of much of modern sci-fi.

Frank Herbert wrote six Dune books before his death in 1986. Since then, his son Brian Herbert continued to expand the universe of Dune with fellow author Kevin J. Anderson. To date, there are two film adaptations, a television adaptation of Children of Dune, an upcoming Dune prequel on HBO Max , and a vast array of novels, short stories, and graphic novels that expand on Dune's lore. Following the success of Denis Villeneuve's modern take on Dune , there is more interest in the series than ever, and many wonderful how all Frank Herbert's six Dune books, ranked from worst to best.

Dune: Part Two establishes that both the Atreides and Harkonnens have access to some devastating weapons, yet neither side uses them on each other.

Dune Messiah (1969)

The second in the series.

The second novel, Dune Messiah, is the series' shortest book and was considered by many to be highly disappointing upon its release . Set 12 years after the events in Dune, Paul Atreides is now worshiped all over the known universe and continues his reign as Emperor. Paul spends most of the book in a deep depression, feeling like he has lost control of his influence over the universe because a massive, prophesied jihad led by Dune's Fremen people is violently killing billions in Paul's name. Dune Messiah demystifies Paul as the hero archetype, showing the weight of power on him and the dangers of his extreme influence.

However, while it further expands on key Dune themes and introduces the notable Ixians and Bene Tleilaxu, Dune Messiah feels overall like a benchmark in an otherwise epic series. While certainly more enjoyable than its reputation has made it to be, it's also largely considered as the worst Dune book . That said, this only makes it more interesting to envision the ending of Denis Villeneuve's Dune remake , which the director aims to be a full trilogy that culminates in the events of Dune Messiah. After all, Messiah is when Frank Herbert finally smashes the myth of the Chosen One, which some argue is the crux of the wisdom to be gleaned from the foundational sci-fi saga.

Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)

The sixth and final book in the series.

Written just a year after the series' previous installment is Chapterhouse: Dune. The planet Rakis (formerly Arrakis) has been completely destroyed, making Chapterhouse: Dune the only book in the series to take place on an entirely different planet. Being that the Dune books span millennia, readers have to connect with characters and elements introduced sometimes well into the series . However, what remains constant in the series are the Bene Gesserit order, and Duncan Idaho, who is debatably the main character in the saga for how he is resurrected throughout millennia. Indeed, despite his death in the first movie, it's likely not the last time audiences will see Jason Momoa's Duncan Idaho.

In terms of the Dune books ranked for readability, what makes Chapterhouse: Dune different is that it's told entirely from the viewpoint of the cunning Bene Gesserit order, and the power games they play throughout the galaxy are some of the most gripping prose in Frank Herbert's career. However, because most of Dune's main characters — and even the main planet — are gone, Chapterhouse: Dune feels like the series is being stretched out beyond its limits .

Despite Herbert intending for it to be the series' penultimate book before his death, Chapterhouse: Dune might have been better off as a standalone novel that expands the lore. Many consider it the worst Dune book, but it's actually a great epilogue for the entire saga.

Heretics Of Dune (1984)

The fifth in the series.

Heretics of Dune takes place 1500 years after God Emperor of Dune's heavily built-up events. Making their return are Dune's iconic sandworms, which were essentially extinct in God Emperor of Dune. Due to there being so many new characters introduced in Heretics of Dune, it can make the reader feel like having to switch gears in the series upon first getting into the book . Even the planet names change slightly due to so much time passing in Dune's universe, so it can be difficult to fully engage with.

That said, Heretics of Dune marks the center shift towards the Bene Gesserit , which appeared more as an important supporting influence in the previous Dune books and set the tone for the sixth entry. On top of that, Heretics of Dune also feels more action-packed than the other books, which many readers may find more investing. It's the kind of action that grabs readers, which isn't always the norm for this series.

Children Of Dune (1976)

The third in the series.

Children of Dune is perhaps the most divisive book of the series, but it builds Dune up to be the epic series that it is. Paul Atreides plays a nearly non-existent role as the series shifts its focus to his children, Leto II and Ghanima. Dune's melange drug in utero — combined with Paul's Kwizatz Haderach influence — made Leto and Ghanima pre-born, connecting them to millions of past lives.

More is discovered about the sandworms and the purpose they serve in creating melange, which launches much more fodder into the series, especially in the later books. If nothing else, Children of Dune is worth reading to see the beginnings of Leto's fascinating character arc, which lasts for thousands of years. Children of Dune's influence on the series grows more upon reflection and may make for a better re-reading experience.

God Emperor Of Dune (1981)

The fourth of the series.

God Emperor of Dune is by far the most philosophy-centric of the Dune books. Having its philosophy's mouthpiece be Leto II as a giant, 3,500-year-old omnipotent man-worm makes for sci-fi at its most bizarre. Duncan Idaho has higher prominence in the book, something that Jason Momoa's Duncan Idaho gives more potential to than previous adaptations. His role is to serve Leto II's vague Golden Path, which causes questions and disagreements warring with Duncan's fierce loyalty to House Atreides and Leto II's tyrannical rule.

God Emperor feels like a grand, exciting climax of the previous three books . However, keeping it from the number one spot is the heavy execution of Leto's (Herbert's) frequent pontificating. For this reason, God Emperor is also divisive, much like Children of Dune . However, more often than not, long-time readers of Dune books ranked God Emperor as among Frank Herbert's best work.

Dune (1965)

First in the series.

Dune is the ultimate foundation for so much to come in the series. Despite Dune's cliffhanger ending, it still works so well as a standalone novel about a young man moving to a new planet and having everything in his life change . Fighting over Dune's melange spice, houses around the galaxy plot ways to gain control over the most precious resource in the universe. From the famous Litany Against Fear to its extensive world-building, Dune's 617 pages are bursting with iconic lines, scenes, characters, and elements. In fact, even though Denis Villeneuve's Dune adapts only the first half of the book, the director still had to cut several scenes in order to fit everything into one feature film.

With Dune: Part 2 being an even bigger hit than the first, audiences became familiarized with the second half of the Frank Herbert novel that started it all. Revealing the events that followed the fall of House Atreides in Arrakis, Dune 2 picked up at the explosive conclusion of the first book. Dune 2 managed to top the first, so long-time readers of the books are going to be treated to a full-feature adaptation of Dune Messiah in Dune 3 , which Villeneuve initially envisions as the ending of his remake. As sci-fi continues to evolve, Herbert's legacy lives on in these adaptations. However, there's still nothing like reading the original Dune books — ranked highly or not, as each one is a treasure in its own right.

To acquire wisdom, one must observe

Reviewing and ranking all of frank herbert’s ‘dune’ novels.

• Michael Sun
• February 9, 2024

(Warning: contains minor spoilers for the “Dune” novels)

I will admit, I was very, very late to the “Dune” hype. I had never seen the 2021 movie until this Thanksgiving break, thinking that it was overhyped; way too complicated and incomprehensible for anyone except the most obsessive of sci-fi nerds. However, as soon as I saw it, I not only understood the plot, but I fell in love with it. Soon, I decided to experience “Dune” as its creator, Frank Herbert, originally intended: in book form. And reading through all of Frank Herbert’s novels and sequels to “Dune” was truly a wild experience. Sometimes, the books can get you thinking about the great issues of our time, such as ecology, politics and religion. Other times … well, it’s just plain weird. 

So in anticipation of “Dune Part 2” coming out next month, here’s my thoughts on all of the six original Dune novels, and the order I would rank each of them in.

“Dune” (1965)

There are very few novels with the same impact as “Dune.” “Dune” was for science fiction what “Lord of the Rings” was to fantasy: one of the first, and greatest, examples of worldbuilding. You must admire the sheer balls that Frank Herbert had in 1965 to, in the words of one Twitter commentator, “get really fucking high and recreate the Holy Roman Empire in space.” On the surface, “Dune” is the story of one Paul Atreides, but it contains so much more: the detailed descriptions of the government and society of the Imperium, Bene Gesserit and the Fremen; the fully realized ecosystem of Arrakis, with its iconic spice melange and sandworms; the conflict between prophecy and fate … All of these factors create a multi-layered work with so many different themes to explore and aspects to uncover. Every time you read “Dune” you will find something new to think about. And “Dune” isn’t just some artifact of the ‘60’s, either: given the current issues with climate change, resource scarcity and extremism, the book’s themes only seem to get more relevant as the years go by.

I understand that Frank Herbert’s writing style isn’t for everyone; he throws an enormous amount of made-up vocabulary at the reader with little explanation, to the point where “Dune” has four appendices and a glossary included at the back just to help you figure out what the hell the characters are talking about. But if you want to be completely immersed in a mysterious and exotic universe that feels totally authentic and lived-in, a world completley foreign to our own yet deeply relevant to it, give “Dune” a read. 

“Dune: Messiah” (1969)

“Dune: Messiah” is the shortest novel of the bunch, but it is so effective because it answers the simple question: just what were the implications of Paul’s rise in “Dune”? Herbert may have critiqued the white-savior complex and hero’s journey aspects in the original novel, but here he blows them wide open. We see Paul racked with guilt over the bloody consequences of his rise to power and over just how many power players in the universe want him gone. The plotting in this novel is thrilling—perhaps better than its predecessor, as we see new technology, new weapons and an entire new faction, all of which are unleashed against Paul in some thrilling and dramatic action sequences. “Dune: Messiah” may seem a bit disappointing against the sheer creativity and worldbuilding of its predecessor, but it is a page-turner, in every sense of the word. There could be no better follow-up to “Dune” than this book.

“Children of Dune” (1976)

“Children of Dune” is kind of a let down. Firstly, it doesn’t even focus on its titular subjects, the two Children of Dune. As the pre-born psychic heirs of Paul Atreides, there was a lot of potential to flesh out these children. And yet, they remain woefully underdeveloped. The book doesn’t bother to elaborate on their upbringing, relationships or any other interesting details of their lives, other than the fact that they’re both psychic and wise-beyond-their-years and what have you. And there’s filler, lots and lots of filler. There’s so many chapters where the characters muck about and don’t advance the plot, as if just waiting for stuff to happen. And there’s a “mystery” which the book spends a lot of time developing, but the answer is pretty obvious to anyone who’s been reading the past two books. However, if you read through all of that, you’ll be rewarded. The action and suspense build up in the final third of the book, and the final scene is brilliant. It’s just a shame that there’s so much useless stuff to get through before then.

“God Emperor of Dune” (1981)

Yeah, this is when the books start to get weird. This is the one you might have heard of in online memes, where the titular “God Emperor” is a dude who merges with a sandworm. It’s a genuinely fascinating new direction for the series. Not only is there a time-skip of nearly 4,000 years, but it also incorporates writing styles such as transcripts of dialogue and reports, rather than only relying on the standard third-person omniscient narrator. It’s also fascinating seeing Frank Herbert’s worldbuilding in action again; seeing a universe which has mutated so much since the start of “Dune” that many aspects of that first book are only distorted memories, and where the social structures and religion are more exotic and unfamiliar than ever before, thanks to the God Emperor’s interference. And if you’re into philosophy, there’s a lot of that in this book as well.

There’s no getting around the fact, however, that this is a weird, weird book. And for all of its strengths, there are a lot of shortcomings. There’s paragraphs of Herbert’s nonsense gender ideology that comes out of nowhere and basically sums up to “gays bad lesbians good.” There’s whole chapters where the giant worm guy gets down bad for a woman and bitches about how he lost his genitals thousands of years ago. There’s a scene where a girl watches a guy climb up a rock wall and—well, you’ll just have to read that for yourself. But if you can get past all of this wackiness you will find a genuinely well-crafted book, with well written characters, dramatic moments, and thought-provoking implications. Just ignore the homophobia.

“Heretics of Dune” (1984)

Once again, this book has a time skip—this time, 15,000 years since “God Emperor”. One would expect the state of the universe to have changed even more drastically than in “God Emperor,” but “Heretics” offers little in the way of new worldbuilding. However, with what it lacks in worldbuilding, it more than makes up for with an interesting new generation of characters. Frank Herbert fleshes out detailed backstories and motivations for these characters, in more detail than any previous book. We see glimpses of their childhoods, events that formed their individual worldviews and shape how they react to the story’s events. Where “Dune” and subsequent novels could feel dry and impersonal, in “Heretics of Dune” you find yourself getting attached to some of the characters. 

“Heretics of Dune” contains some of the most action-packed battles in the series, with plenty of dramatic escapes and rescues. But there’s one 400-meter sandworm in the room: the sex. Without spoiling too much, it’s easy to tell that Frank Herbert was extremely down bad for some reason while writing “Heretics of Dune.” The emphasis on sex makes no sense and might weird some readers out, but thankfully it’s the book’s only real shortcoming. As someone who felt the lack of action in the previous two novels was a setback, “Heretics of Dune” was a welcome return to form.

“Chapterhouse: Dune” (1985)

Ok, so as of writing this I haven’t actually finished “Chapterhouse: Dune.” It’s more boring than “Heretics” and the characters talk a lot about nothing. However, there are two INSANE worldbuilding concepts that have been introduced so far that should tell you everything you need to know about this book. The first one is the Futars, human-feline hybrids artificially created and kept as domesticated pets by the villains. Yes, that’s right. Frank Herbert invented genetically engineered catgirls. I can’t believe I just typed that sentence. The second one is Judaism. No, this isn’t a metaphor. Judaism. Because, apparently, Frank Herbert gave up on worldbuilding and slapped actual Jews onto his fictional, fantastic universe. It’s not a particularily flattering portrayal, by the way. Unless you have some sort of morbid curiosity about those two aspects, or you really, really want to know what happened to the characters from “Heretics of Dune”, stay away from this one. Frank Herbert may have come up with his best ideas while on psilocybin , but he went too far. Go home, Frank, you’re high.

Update: Yeah I finished this book and I can’t take this anymore. Don’t read this. Please. This is your final warning. 

So in the end, here’s my final ranking of the six books:

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

Reading through the entirety of the original “Dune” books has been an experience both thrilling and utterly incomprehensible. Am I hyped for “Dune Part 2”? Yes. Do I think movies should be made of the entire series? Absolutely not. But none of this will change the fact that “Dune” stands in a class by itself, in a universe that has influenced so many other universes. And yes, I know there’s ton of sequels and prequels made by Herbert’s son, but I am NOT reading all that.

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