Dune: Reader Ratings of every Dune universe novel

In the sprawling sands of science fiction literature, the Dune series by Frank Herbert stands as a monumental epic, weaving intricate tales of politics, religion, and ecology against the backdrop of an interstellar empire. 

This table presents a detailed reader consensus rating for each novel within the series, offering insights into how these books have been received by audiences over the years. 

The ratings, sourced from the Goodreads reader platform, reflect the communal impressions and engagements with the series, highlighting the peaks and troughs of the saga as perceived by its vast readership. 

From the original Dune, acclaimed for its rich storytelling and profound themes, to the later sequels and prequels penned by Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, and collaborator Kevin J. Anderson, this table serves as a guide to the shifting sands of reader opinion, helping both new and seasoned readers navigate the complexities of the Dune universe. 

This table includes the book title, year of release, authors, average rating, and a brief description of the plot for each entry:

Book Title	Year of Release	Author(s)	Average Rating	Brief Description of the Plot
Dune	1965	Frank Herbert	4.2	In the distant future, Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family, assumes control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the valuable substance "spice." As he battles for survival and supremacy, he unfolds his destiny as the prophesied leader Muad'Dib.
Dune Messiah	1969	Frank Herbert	3.8	Paul Atreides, now Emperor, faces political and religious dilemmas, leading to a crisis of faith and betrayal. The novel explores the consequences of Paul's rise to power and the complex machinations of the universe he rules.
Children of Dune	1976	Frank Herbert	3.9	Following Paul's disappearance, his children Leto and Ghanima struggle with their heritage and their futures. Leto's transformation and the political intrigue surrounding their reign are central themes.
God Emperor of Dune	1981	Frank Herbert	3.8	Set thousands of years after the original trilogy, Leto II has transformed into a hybrid sandworm to guide humanity's destiny. The novel delves deep into themes of power, sacrifice, and change.
Heretics of Dune	1984	Frank Herbert	3.9	Millennia later, the scattered forces of humanity are converging on Arrakis. With a new breed of sandworms and the re-emergence of the Bene Gesserit, the stage is set for upheaval and new alliances.
Chapterhouse: Dune	1985	Frank Herbert	3.9	As the Bene Gesserit struggle to maintain their influence and their home on Chapterhouse planet, they face threats from within and beyond. The book explores themes of survival and adaptation.
Hunters of Dune	2006	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.6	Based on Frank Herbert's outline for the conclusion of the Dune series, this novel follows the efforts to combat a mysterious enemy and unravel the Golden Path of humanity set forth by Leto II.
Sandworms of Dune	2007	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.4	This book concludes the original Dune saga, tying up the myriad complex storylines and character arcs introduced in "Hunters of Dune."
House Atreides	1999	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.8	This prequel explores the early days of key characters from "Dune," including Duke Leto Atreides, Baron Harkonnen, and Emperor Shaddam IV, setting the stage for the political drama of the original series.
House Harkonnen	2000	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.8	Continuing the rich backstory, this novel dives into the dark ambitions and brutal rise to power of the Harkonnen family, enemies of House Atreides.
House Corrino	2001	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.7	Concluding the prequel trilogy, the story focuses on Shaddam IV's quest to maintain power and the early life of Paul Atreides' father, Leto, as well as the synthetic spice production that threatens Arrakis' monopoly.
The Butlerian Jihad	2002	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.5	Set in the distant past, this book details humanity's struggle to overthrow the oppressive rule of thinking machines, leading to the establishment of many social and political structures seen in the original series.
The Machine Crusade	2003	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.6	Continuing the story of the war against machines, the novel elaborates on the formation of the major houses and the early origins of key technologies and practices in the Dune universe.
The Battle of Corrin	2004	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.5	This novel concludes the Legends of Dune series, chronicling the climactic battle that defines the political and religious landscape of the Dune series.
Paul of Dune	2008	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.4	This novel explores Paul Atreides' life between the events of "Dune" and "Dune Messiah," detailing his consolidation of power and the challenges he faces during his transformation into a messianic figure.
The Winds of Dune	2009	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.4	Following the events of "Dune Messiah," this book delves into the turmoil following Paul Atreides' disappearance, focusing on characters such as Jessica and Gurney as they navigate the political upheaval.
Sisterhood of Dune	2012	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.8	Set nearly a century after the Battle of Corrin, this novel focuses on the rise of the key institutions in the Dune universe, such as the Bene Gesserit, Mentats, and the Spacing Guild during a time of ideological and political transformation.
Mentats of Dune	2014	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.7	This book continues the narrative of the Great Schools, highlighting the conflict and conspiracies that define the training of the mental computers known as Mentats.
Navigators of Dune	2016	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.7	Concluding the Great Schools trilogy, this novel deals with the climactic struggles involving the Spacing Guild's Navigators, who seek to monopolize space travel and solidify their power in the chaos following the fall of the thinking machines.
Dune: The Duke of Caladan	2020	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.8	This trilogy opener retraces Duke Leto Atreides' days on his ancestral home of Caladan, exploring his leadership and events leading up to the critical move to Arrakis.
Dune: The Lady of Caladan	2021	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	3.9	Centering on Lady Jessica's experiences and her emotional journey on Caladan before departing to Arrakis, the novel delves deep into her personal and political conflicts during this transitional period.
Dune: The Heir of Caladan	2022	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	4.0	The trilogy concludes with a focus on Paul Atreides as he prepares for his future role and grapples with his emerging visions and the weight of destiny, setting the stage for the saga that unfolds in "Dune."

I thought it would be fun to graph the reader rating of the Dune novels over time:

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