Also marking its second week on our fiction list is the finale of a series that's extended—and reinvigorated—a science fiction classic. Together with Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert (son of noted SF author Frank Herbert) launched in 1999 a "prequel trilogy" to his father's evergreen bestseller, Dune. The first two volumes, Dune: House Atreides and Dune: House Harkonnen (combined total of 12 weeks on our charts) have been brought to what PW termed "a fully satisfying conclusion" in Dune: House Corrino, published by Bantam Spectra on October 9 (copies in print: 130,000). It's no surprise that, according to Bantam assistant publicity director Chris Artis, "large and eager crowds" have gathered for the authors' current West Coast tour.

With reporting by Dick Donahue.