A review for Booklist stated that "the authors represented in this fascinating collection pay homage to Herbert's vision while analyzing the scientific plausibility of the Dune universe's many idiosyncrasies", highlighting a "treatise on melange", an examination of "the biology of sandworm", and essays on the desert ecology of Arrakis; the "feasibility of water-conserving still-suits"; and "the science behind interstellar space travel".

It explores Herbert's desert planet and the surrounding universe with intricate details about various cultures, religions, and politics, alongside fascinating but less-developed technologies.

The volume authors comprise enthusiastic Dune scholarly fans from diverse fields, featuring essays from biologists, physicists, and anthropologists, among others, all engaged in deconstructing Herbert's imaginative creations.

Evans recommended the book to dedicated fans of the franchise, noting that they are the intended audience, while providing the caveat that their suspension of disbelief might be negatively affected by reading it.

Monks found the work to be inferior to the earlier The Dune Encyclopedia (1984), but said that "it does benefit from being written from our perspective and through the lens of early 21st century science".