After finishing reading books 1–6 for the first time, I would personally rank them in order of enjoyment:

  1. Dune
  2. Children of Dune
  3. Dune Messiah
  4. God Emperor of Dune
  5. Chapterhouse: Dune
  6. Heretics of Dune

I am honestly not sure if I will re-read books 5 and 6. I did enjoy some parts of Chapterhouse, but overall thought the ending was ho-hum. I was entertained and engaged by the first three novels and found God Emperor to be an interesting philosophical and heady trip and didn’t mind the near lack of action. I found books five and six also had interesting parts, but overall didn’t offer as satisfying of reads as a whole.

Now I am faced with the decision as to whether or not to read the next two books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson (Hunters of Dune and Sandworkd of Dune). I know that there are some strong opinions on these two books and that many are not fans, like many also don’t particularly like the last three of Frank Herbert’s books.

I’d like to hear from this community what people’s thoughts are on the series as a whole and the pros and cons of continuing to read the last two books or not. Does it put a satisfying bow on the overall story for those they did read them? Are they worth the time? Would it be best to call it here and re-read the books I did enjoy on occasion? I’m curious about what others have experienced in their readings and interpretations of this series as well. Thanks for any thoughtful replies anyone cares to offer. Keep it flowin’.

  • @SzethFriendOfNimi
    5•9 months ago

    I don’t mind the way that Brian went too much. Do I think it’s a little too simple? Yes, since it ignores the deeper reasoning behind the Butlerian Jihad but overall the inkling of the ending fits with some hints in God Emperor.

    I don’t begrudge those who hate it either since the writers just aren’t Herbert.

    Of course sometimes you get an author who can do a great job finishing a series like Sanderson did with the Wheel of Time but in that case Jordan’s widow was also there to shepherd along the process.

    For all we know what they wrote is what Herbert was thinking and overall I don’t think it would be a waste of time reading it.

      • @SzethFriendOfNimi
        2•9 months ago

        Hmm…. About a 7/10. It’s been years since I read it and I did read a lot of the prequel books so their writing style got much better by the time they tackled it.