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9 Books Like Dune To Read For Fans of Futuristic Science Fiction

9 Books like Dune

Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic Dune has received wide critical acclaim throughout the decades since its initial release. Dune is now finding a fresh audience with the recent Oscar-winning adaptation by Denis Villeneuve. If you enjoy reading books like Dune and want to read more brilliantly written space operas, this list is perfect for you.

Frank Herbert’s science fiction Dune, was initially published in 1965 and is among the bestselling science fiction novels of all time. It’s set in the distant future, during a time when an interstellar empire ruled over planetary fiefdoms. Dune is a brilliantly imagined world where Herbert creates entire cultures and alien ecologies, ones that remain with you long after you finish reading. In the story, we follow members of the House Atreides as they take hold of the desert planet of Arrakis, called ‘Dune’ for its intense desert and terrifyingly inhospitable climate. Paul Atreides is the central character of the first two novels.

In this sci-fi classic, there are 6 books in total in the Dune Saga. Herbert’s son Brian and author Kevin J. Anderson wrote a series of books in this universe after Frank Herbert’s death. If you read all the books in Dune Saga or the ones that followed and you are trying to find books with a similar taste, for your consideration we have curated a list of books similar to Dune that you will surely like.

If you’re keen on the original series of books, check out these 9 books like Dune.

Buy Dune on Amazon

List of Books Like Dune 

  1. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
  2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
  3. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
  4. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
  5. The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
  6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
  7. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
  8. The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley
  9. Red Mars by  Kim Stanley Robinson

1. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny 

Published in 1967, Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny is a science fantasy fiction exploration on the Hindu Religion. The remnant humans from now destroyed Earth set on a voyage Star of India and discover a new planet. They are met with strange and hostile races on the new planet and build a place for their own survival they set to colonise. The crew members use science and advanced technology to make themselves look superior to the other races by showing enhanced biological and mental abilities. Sam is a crew member and the central character of the Star of India ship of the novel and he renegades the decision of the instituted Hindu Caste System that puts themselves at the top. 

Sam’s character is based on the ascetic and spiritual teacher of ancient India  Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Lord of Light reflects on the circularity of life, where life does not begin and end at birth, the soul is reincarnated in new bodies. Zelazny’s take on Myth and Religion and his ability to use elements of humour, epic, science, action and philosophy together effectively sets this book apart from other science fiction novels. If you have been searching for books like Dune, Lord of Light is your best bet. 

Buy Lord of Light on Amazon

2. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Ancillary Justice is a debut science-fiction novel written by Ann Leckie and published in 2013. The book follows the story of Breq, one of the protagonists, who is the only surviving Artificial Intelligence humanoid from the Ancillary soldiers of the interstellar troopship Justice of Toren. This book is the first instalment of the Imperial Radch trilogy. 

Breq embarks on the journey and tells us about her origin and her path of vengeance to right past wrongs. The first novel explores the element that gender is not essential to human development, humans are not necessarily the central focus of existence and identity is in an entity’s experience not in its programming. Beautifully well-structured characters and Leckie’s impressive imagination make this a book worth reading If you are looking for books like Dune. 

Buy Ancillary Justice (complete series) on Amazon

3. Hyperion by  Dan Simmons

Hyperion is the first part of the 4 books series by DanSimmons. Released in 1989, the science fiction/space opera Hyperion establishes a story thousands of years in the future where human hegemony is spread across planets, and now aims to conquer the Milky Way. The books are set in the universe of Hyperion, a powerful creature called the Shrike lives in the mysterious ancient Time tombs. 7 individuals with distinctive backgrounds are chosen for the Final Shrike Pilgrimage, each expressing their motivations for the journey and what they discover. 

A masterpiece in speculative fiction, the story after years of release continues to stand the test of time. Disturbing yet engaging stories expand to a cosmic scale narrative that spans vast distances of space and time. There are a few novel series that come close to Simmons’ creation. If you want to read books like Dune that build an impressive hyperrealistic world, Hyperion is perfect for you.

Buy Hyperion Cantos  (complete series) on Amazon

4. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

This science fiction novel Leviathan Wakes is written by James S. A. Corey and was published in 2011. This novel is a part of The Expanse book series about humanity colonising the solar system. The story opens with ice miners making runs from the rings of Saturn to their mining stations in the Belt. The crew, along with the protagonist Jim Holden, uncover a derelict ship called the Scopuli from where they discover a horrifying secret. The books were adapted into a show in 2015, called The Expanse. The show gained highly positive reviews from viewers and critics alike.   

When a girl goes missing, a washed-up Detective called Miller from the Asteroid Belt and Reluctant captain, Jim Holden from Earth go on a mission to find the girl. The journey of searching for the girl in a time when the universe is on the brim of war leads them to an unfathomable situation. If you want to read similar books like Dune with elements of colonialism, exploration, war and adventure, Leviathan Wakes is for you. 

Buy Leviathan Wakes on Amazon

Also Read: Books like Game of Thrones

5. Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Written between 1942 and 1949, Foundation is a part of a book series by Isaac Asimov. The first book, Foundation, was published in 1951. Isaac’s work of emerging scientific facts and fiction seamlessly has been known to be a redefining contribution to science fiction. Book follows the story of Hari Sheldon, who is an extraordinary visionary and psychohistorian. He can predict the future using his mathematics and probabilities, what he can’t do is change the inevitable decline of humanity. 

He decides to gather a group of brilliant scientists and scholars from the vast galaxies to form a sanctuary called The Foundation. By preserving and taking forward the knowledge, art and technology and designing a future for them, where they can survive beyond the societies he predicts will last only the next 30,000 years. The incredibly well-formulated and interrelated stories of the series are built around the themes of politics and philosophical debates between various distinctively opinionated characters. Foundation series may feel dated at places but if you are looking for books like Dune to read, this is a great option. 

Buy The Foundation series on Amazon

6. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is regarded as one of the greatest works, written by Ray Bradbury and published in 1953. Set in 2049, the plot of Fahrenheit 451 follows the character Guy Montag, a fireman who questions all the policies put forth and as a result, faces extreme suffering. The plot constitutes an emotional and dynamic character transformation. The world created by Bradbury is dystopic in nature, as a reader, it forces a person to question the reality of the world around them. 

An extremely detailed novel, Fahrenheit 451 is highly intellectual writing, often difficult for common readers to comprehend entirely. If you’re looking for books similar to Dune and want to read a book that challenges you, Fahrenheit 451 is a great pick. 

Buy Fahrenheit451 on  Amazon 

7. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World is a science fiction, dystopian novel, first published in 1932. This new world is set in the year 2540, which the novel refers to as the year 632 AF, ‘AF’ standing for After Ford (Henry Ford). The novel here refers to Henry’s futuristic designs. The story looks at a world from when Henry introduced the Model T which represents the advancement and efficiency of technology. 

In this world, the emotions of a child are conditioned out, resulting in no real relationships. The class of someone is determined when they are in their embryos and what they should do with advanced technologies for their appearance is also dependent on their given class. The rich are made to look beautiful and the poor are forced to look uglier. Huxley creates a seemingly utopian-looking world, which feels more like a harsh reflection of present-day society. If you want to read books similar to Dune that are relatable, Brave New World is worth a read. 

Buy Brave New World on Amazon  

8. The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley

The Stars Are Legion was published in the year 2017. The Sci-Fi novel explores a time and place where a mass of decaying world ships is travelling in the universe. There has been a war in existence between the two worlds for generations. A war to control the Legion. 

The story is about Zen and Jayd, the story’s two narrators,  who are from opposing sides.  Zen wakes up with amnesia, being told that she is the only hope for their salvation. The journey of Zen and Jayd will remind the readers of Paul and Chani. The Stars Are Legion is a thrilling tale revolving around tragic love, revenge and war and if you want to read novels like Dune, you will surely like this one. 

Buy The Stars Are Legion on Amazon

9. Red Mars by  Kim Stanley Robinson

The novel Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson is the first book of The Mars Trilogy. Published in 1992, Red Mars sets the beginning of the colonisation of Mars by terraforming Mars into a habitual place. Tensions from corporations translate into the development of Martian Culture. 

Robinson’s commentary on the social, egalitarian, and advances made on Mars are more relevant now than ever. Red Mars focuses more on the political side of the colonisation of Mars which can make it feel old and unusual compared to other sci-fi books. This book trilogy may not be the most impressive read but one that’s definitely worth reading if you want to read more books similar to Dune. 

Buy Mars Trilogy on Amazon

Honourable Mentions

These great books have not made the recommendations list but you should check them out if you want to read more books similar to Dune. 

  1. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
  2. Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
  3. The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe
  4. Whipping Star by Frank Herbert
  5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy novel series by Douglas Adams, Eoin Colfer, Thomas Tidholm

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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