His Dark Materials Books

His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials is a coming-of-age story set within many parallel universes. The book's main protagonists are Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry. The book series is fantasy and was written with no particular genre in mind, however, it has been increasingly popular with children and young adults. The trilogy includes witches, armoured polar bears and a truth-telling compass which all create unique and thrilling adventures for Lyra and Will. 

The first book in this epic series is Northern Lights which follows Lyra Belacqua and her animal Daemon Pantalaimon (Pan for short) in an alternate world very similar to Earth. Lyra lives amongst the scholars at Jordon College, Oxford, raised by the scholars and her uncle Lord Asriel. Whilst at the college Lyra overhears her uncle talking about a mysterious substance he is researching called ‘Dust’. Lyra becomes increasingly curious about ‘Dust’ and must know more; doing so causes her to be catapulted into a world beyond anything she should have imagined.

The next title in the series is The Subtle Knife. The adventure continues for Lyra as she runs into Will Parry, a young boy without a Daemon who is in a lot of trouble. She has never seen anyone without a Daemon before, and Will has never seen a Daemon before. They both embark on a journey to learn more about each other and the mysterious city they find themselves in. All while this is happening, Mrs Coulter is trying to track down Lyra.

The final book in the trilogy is The Amber Spyglass. Lyra and Will have been separated, Lyra is being held captive, and Will is desperately trying to find her with the help of two Angels. Will must find a way to get to Lyra, but he needs help, so one of the Angels seeks out Lord Asriel for help. 

Philip Pullman also released companion books that fit alongside the main trilogy novels. These short stories and novellas include Lyra’s Oxford, Once Upon a Time in the North, The Collectors, Serpentine and The Imagination Chamber. 

His Dark Materials is now a hit TV show on BBC and HBO, produced by Bad Wolf. In 2007 a film adaptation was released starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman; the film was titled The Golden Compass. 

Further Reading 

Pullman has released many other literary series over the years. The Sally Lockheart series began with The Ruby in the Smoke (1985) and ended with The Tin Princess (1994). He has also released The New Cut Gang series and The Book of Dust Series, which is in the same world as His Dark Materials. 

As well as the His Dark Materials companion books and other series, Pullman has also released a collection of Grimm Tales For Young and Old. He has also released various standalone novels, such as I Was a Rat! Or, the Scarlet Slippers, The firework Maker’s Daughter, Clockwork and Spring-Heeled Jack, all of which are available in this Four Fairy Tales by Philip Pullman 4 Books Collection Set. 

About the Author 

Philip Pullman is an English fantasy writer. From a young age, he travelled with his family, living in places like Zimbabwe and Australia before settling in Wales. By age 25, Pullman had gained an English degree and taught in Middle schools. He has remained passionate about education but often voices his dedication to encouraging creativity instead of exams and grades. 

Take a look at our range of Philip Pullman Books. Alternatively, fans of His Dark Materials may enjoy Stranger Things, Two Novels Suspicious Minds and Darkness on the Edge of Town or Neil Gaiman’s Books like Coraline and The Graveyard Book.