New Dune novels

The new Dune novels are a number of books set in the Dune universe and written by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) together with Kevin J. Anderson. So far two trilogies of prequels have been released, as well as two sequel books to the original books. Four more books have been announced.

There is an ongoing debate as to whether the new Dune novels can be considered part of the Dune canon. Some consider them a faithful continuation of Frank Herbert's work, while others see them as something akin to fan fiction.

Legends of Dune trilogy

The Battle of Corrin

The events of the novel take place a full century after the beginning of the Butlerian Jihad, and are divided into two parts, the first beginning in the year 108 B.G. (before Guild) and detailing a biological war waged by the thinking machines on the humans. The second part of the novel begins in 88 B.G. and covers the events after the Great Purge, leading up to the fateful Battle of Corrin. At the conclusion of the Legends of Dune series, several story lines started in the previous two novels lead to the political and social climate that is well established in Frank Herbert’s original Dune series.

Heroes of Dune

See main article: Heroes of Dune

Debate on the canon or non-canon status of the new books

It would seem that there is a readily available precedent for the treatment of canon status of any Dune materials: Star Wars Canon. Obviously the original 6 Dune novels would be treated as the 6 Star Wars films. Next would come licensed works by the owners of the Dune property-the Prelude and Legends Novels. Finally would come other materials-games, Encyclopedia, and any other works. Any piece of information should be considered canon as long as it does not directly contradict information from a higher level (unless a reasonably believable explanation can be provided how a seeming contradiction is not really as it seems).