TL;DR Which Dune books are worth reading? The first book, Dune, is one of the greatest Sci-Fi books and is well worth your time. Out of the other 21 books in the series, we will say only books 2 and 3 are worth your time.
Are you interested in reading Frank Herbert’s Dune series but don’t know if it’s worth your time? There are now 22 books in the Dune series, and not every one is worth your time.
In this article, we will break down which books in the Dune series are worth it.
Why You Should Read Dune
Dune is a classic set of science fiction novels that rank among the best sci-fi books. Here are some reasons why you should read them:
- They’re well written. Frank Herbert was a master storyteller, and his books are full of fascinating characters and exciting plotlines.
- They explore complex themes. The Dune series is famous for its exploration of issues like ecology, politics, and religion.
- They’re exciting to read. Herbert’s books are full of action and adventure, and you won’t be able to put them down.
- They’re thought-provoking. Dune forces you to think about the world around you and the future of humanity.
So if you’re looking for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, picking up a book from the Dune series is a great idea.
The Dune Books Worth Reading
My word of advice is, to begin with, the first book. As an all-time classic Sci-Fi book, it is well worth your time. After that, I feel that the next two books are worth your time.
The Dune Books Worth Reading are:
- Dune
- Dune Messiah
- Children of Dune
*Warning there will be minor spoilers below if you read the book synopsis’s beyond the first Dune.
Dune
The first Dune book is about Paul Atreides, a young man who is the heir to the throne of House Atreides. The empire forces his family to relocate to a barren planet called Dune.
Dune Messiah
- Herbert, Frank (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 704 Pages - 08/02/2005 (Publication Date) - Penguin Publishing Group (Publisher)
Dune Messiah picks up where the first book left off. Paul has become the leader of the Fremen, and he is using his powers to bring down the Harkonnen Empire. But he faces danger from all sides, and it’s not clear whether he will be able to succeed.
- Herbert, Frank (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 06/04/2019 (Publication Date) - Ace (Publisher)
Children of Dune
Children of Dune is about the children of Paul and Chani. They are all trying to find their place in the world, and they must deal with the legacy of who their father is.
- Herbert, Frank (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 07/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Ace (Publisher)
Why Are The Other Dune Books Not Worth Your Time?
The first book focuses primarily on Paul Atreides and his transformation on the planet Dune. It is a classic origin story. Paul is the reason why the first book is so good.
Starting with book 2, the series changes dramatically in scope and approach. It becomes more dialogue-driven and loses some of the magic of the first book.
All that being said, you might fall in love with Dune. Beyond just the character of Paul or the first book. If you read the first three books and love all three of them, then continue reading the series.