For the novels sorted in order of in-universe events, see Shannara § Novels. Read on for a full breakdown of the books, listed here in the order in which they were published.This section is about the novels, sorted in order of publication, which is similar to Terry Brooks' suggested reading order for new readers. That's the beauty of the Dune-it's a detailed series that rewards completionism, but the entry points are numerous. Given that many are grouped into smaller series that exist within the larger story, you can sample bits and pieces of the universe. Here's our advice: read Frank Herbert's six novels first, then dabble in the unauthorized spin-offs however you like.

But what's the right way to go spelunking through all these books and their complicated chronology? There's no right answer some argue that the books should be read in the order of the fictive timeline, while others argue that they should be read in the order of publication. (This would come to be known the Prelude to Dune series.) Herbert and Anderson have remained dynamic collaborators in the years since, churning out over a dozen novels together. Anderson to co-author a trilogy of Dune prequels. More than a decade after Herbert's death, his son, Brian, teamed up with science fiction writer Kevin J. The book's massive success inspired Herbert to write a number of sequels, which brought the total number of novels in the series up to six when he died in 1986.

It's also considered one of the best books of all time, as well as a seminal work in the sci-fi genre. Published in 1965 by an automotive manuals publisher, after twenty (!) mainstream publishers rejected the story, Dune is the world's best-selling science fiction novel of all time. And whether you've dabbled in Dune lore before or you're completely new to the wild world of Arrakis, there’s something for everyone in this Titanic-sized series about power, violence, and fate. Congratulations! You've got an exciting literary journey ahead.

So you're fired up about Dune's recent big screen adaptation, and while you're waiting for Part Two to arrive in theaters, you're wanting to dive into the world of Frank Herbert's beloved science fiction novels.

Download shannara reading order