Dune

by Frank Herbert · 1965

Cinema has been showered with sci-fi hits lately, but nothing quite compares to _[Dune](https://comicbook.com/tag/dune/)_. The story, first adapted by David Lynch in 1984, [only really gained mainstream popularity in Denis Villeneuve’s hands starting in 2021](https://comicbook.com/movies/list/7-best-sci-fi-movie-reboots-of-the-last-15-years/). Following Paul Atreides, heir to House Atreides, who’s sent with his family to rule Arrakis — a planet crucial as the only source of the valuable spice melange — the story has so far been split into two movies, [with the third and final installment already scheduled](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/dune-part-three-trailer-reveals-epic-conclusion-to-denis-villeneuves-sci-fi-masterpiece/). And the high-quality productions took a lot of people by surprise, both longtime fans of Frank Herbert’s saga and those who had never even heard of it. ## Videos by ComicBook.com Naturally, this got a ton of people curious to dive deeper into the universe through the books. And if you’re thinking the same, buckle up, because it’s a long ride: countless books and multiple timelines stretching across thousands of years. And if you know that but have zero idea where to start, this guide is perfect to get you sorted. ## Frank Herbert’s Original Six _Dune_ Novels In Reading Order  Starting the saga isn’t complicated: six books form the core of the universe — the story’s heart. Every reader should start here, as these novels establish Arrakis, the Houses’ politics, [and the world’s insanely complex mythology](https://comicbook.com/movies/feature/over-forty-years-later-david-lynchs-dune-had-a-forgotten-element-that-modern-sci-fi-movies-should-try-again/). Skip any of them and you’re lost, no shortcuts. But what’s the exact order? 1. _Dune_ 2. _Dune Messiah_ 3. _Children of Dune_ 4. _God Emperor of Dune_ 5. _Heretics of Dune_ 6. _Chapterhouse: Dune_ Starting with _Dune_ is obvious, since it’s where you understand why Paul becomes such a pivotal figure and how controlling the spice shapes political and economic power. It’s basically the essence of the whole story. Every book after dives deeper, showing rises, falls, ambition, and dilemmas. And it’s worth noting that this saga isn’t light reading — Herbert is all about politics, ecology, religion, philosophy, technology, and sociology. Plus, as you move forward, [the timeline jumps forward too](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/dune-3-messiah-cast-paul-atreides-twin-children/), so don’t expect a quick continuation with each new book. In _Dune_ , Paul faces betrayals and discovers his messianic destiny; in _Dune Messiah_ , he’s emperor dealing with conspiracies and the weight of power; _Children of Dune_ shows Paul’s children facing the empire’s challenges; _God Emperor of Dune_ focuses on Leto II, Paul’s son, ruling with an iron fist to secure humanity’s future; _Heretics of Dune_ introduces new factions and the Bene Gesserit trying to control politics and threats; and _Chapterhouse: Dune_ centers on the Bene Gesserit surviving big changes that could destroy their legacy. [  Read Next 5 Dune Movie Moments Better Than the Books ](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/5-dune-movie-moments-better-than-the-books/) ## The 17 Other _Dune_ Books & How They Fit Into The Reading Order  Now we hit the confusing part: all the books that came after the original six. When Herbert passed, [his son Brian Herbert](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/dune-part-two-brian-herbert-author-reaction-frank-herbert-son-denis-villeneuve/), along with writer Kevin J. Anderson, decided to continue and expand the universe. This includes direct se