His Dark Materials Books In Order

His Dark Materials is a popular fantasy series written by British author Philip Pullman.

This beloved coming-of-age story follows two characters as they fight against dark forces and search for their destiny.

His Dark Materials Books In Order

The trilogy consists of three books, as well as a series of prequels and supplementary material that must be read in order for readers to fully enjoy the story’s nuances.

The popularity of the series has been wide-reaching, and the books have been adapted into a television series, an audiobook, and even a stage play, allowing fans to experience the story in multiple formats.

The series follows the adventures of Lyra Belacqua and her companion, Will Parry as they travel through a network of parallel universes in an attempt to save their world.

About His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials is a series that has enjoyed phenomenal success, and it has been praised for its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and imaginative world-building.

The books are set in a universe where humans have animal companions called daemons, which represent their souls, and tackle themes such as religion, morality, and the power of knowledge.

The trilogy consists of three books: The Northern Lights (also known as the Golden Compass), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass.

Each book follows Lyra and Will on their journey through different worlds, as they battle against forces of evil and discover secrets about themselves.

The series has often been praised for its exploration of complex themes, and its ability to capture the imagination of readers, as well as its abundance of strong female characters, and its exploration of faith and morality.

Fans are captivated by the thrilling plot and the characters’ emotional journeys, as they strive to save their world, and these factors have combined to create a series that is beloved by readers of all ages.

So, just in what order should you enjoy these wonderful books? I took a closer look to help you make the very most of the series.

His Dark Materials Books In Order

The main series of His Dark Materials trilogy should be read in the following order: The Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass.

This is the order in which Philip Pullman wrote the books, and it is important to read them in this sequence to fully appreciate the story’s nuances.

There are, however, other books in the series that offer a more comprehensive overview of the world.

The Book Of Dust

The Book of Dust

Before looking more closely at the perfect order for His Dark Materials, one must first consider the prequel series, The Book of Dust.

This trilogy is set before the events of His Dark Materials and follows Lyra’s experience as a baby.

The Book of Dust can be read after the original trilogy, as it provides further insight into Lyra’s character and her world, but it is also possible to read it before the original trilogy – just be aware that there may be some spoilers.

There are three novels in the Book of Dust trilogy:

La Belle Sauvage (2018)

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage Collector's Edition (Book of Dust, Volume 1)

La Belle Sauvage is the first book in the trilogy and follows Lyra as a baby.

It is set 10 years before the events of The Golden Compass and introduces us to Malcolm Polstead, who will become an important character in the original trilogy.

Pros

  • Offers a closer look at the world created in His Dark Materials
  • Introduces us to Malcolm Polstead, who plays a role in the original trilogy, albeit not by name

Cons

  • Contains spoilers for the original trilogy

Themes: Power, religion, morality, destiny

The Secret Commonwealth (2020)

The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth (Book of Dust, Volume 2)

The Secret Commonwealth is the second book in the trilogy and follows Lyra as she enters adulthood.

It is set 10 years after The Golden Compass and explores Lyra’s path as she discovers more about her world and her destiny.

Pros

  • Explores Lyra’s journey as she discovers more about her world and her destiny
  • Provides further insight into the themes explored in His Dark Materials

Cons

  • Once again, contains spoilers for the original trilogy

Themes: Destiny, fate, power, morality, religion

Philip Pullman has yet to release the third part of the trilogy, but it is expected to be released by September 2023.

Once Upon A Time In The North (2008)

His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North

Once Upon a Time in the North is a novella that also acts as a prequel to the main series, and follows Lee Scoresby, an aeronaut from The Northern Lights, as he meets Iorek Byrnison, the armored bear.

Pros

  • Provides further insight into the world of His Dark Materials
  • Explores Lee Scoresby’s backstory and his relationship with Iorek Byrnison

Cons

  • Not essential reading for the main trilogy

Themes: Adventure, friendship, loyalty

His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials

I will now consider the three books in the main series – these can be read before the Book or Dust, allowing you to get a better understanding of the world created and the character of Lyra, or may be read after the prequel series – the choice is really up to the reader.

For best results, I would recommend starting with His Dark Materials – this will give you the background you need to enjoy the world and the series as a whole.

Northern Lights (1995)

Northern Lights:the award-winning, internationally bestselling, now full-colour illustrated edition (His Dark Materials): 1

Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass) is the first book in the trilogy and follows Lyra as she embarks on a quest to save her world.

It introduces us to the characters of Lyra, Will, Iorek Byrnison, and Lord Asriel, and sets up the story for the rest of the series.

The narrative begins with Lyra’s adventures in her home world and then moves on to her travels in other universes.

Along the way, she meets a variety of characters who help her on her quest and discovers more about herself and the power of knowledge alongside her trusty daemon, Pantalaimon, and Will Parry, a boy from another world who joins her on her adventures.

The Northern Lights was released to tremendous acclaim and success, with the New York Times calling it “a fantasy of the highest order”.

It was awarded the Carnegie Award in 1995 and has gone down in history as one of the most beloved fantasy novels of all time.

Pros

  • Incredible worldbuilding and characters
  • Explores themes of power, knowledge, and morality
  • Some amazing characters

Cons

  • Can be a bit slow in parts

Themes: Power, knowledge, morality, fantasy

The Subtle Knife (1997)

His Dark Materials: The Subtle Knife (Book 2)

The Subtle Knife is the second book in the trilogy and follows Lyra and Will as they continue their quest to save their world.

It introduces us to a new character, Dr. Mary Malone, and explores more about the mysterious Dust that is at the heart of Lyra’s journey.

The Subtle Knife sees Lyra and Will travel to a variety of different worlds, as they search for the mysterious Subtle Knife that will help them in their quest.

Along the way, they meet a variety of characters who help them on their venture and discover more about themselves and the power of knowledge.

The Subtle Knife was also released to great acclaim and success, with The Guardian calling it “a vivid and great read”.

The novel was considered a worthy follow-up to the phenomenal success of the Northern Lights.

Pros

  • Continues the story of Lyra and Will
  • Explores themes of power, knowledge, and morality
  • Introduces new characters and worlds

Cons

  • Can also be a bit slow in parts – the action can take a little while to build to the pay-off.

Themes: Power, knowledge, morality, fantasy

The Amber Spyglass

His Dark Materials: The Amber Spyglass (Book 3)

The Amber Spyglass is the third and final book in the trilogy and follows Lyra, Will, and Dr. Mary Malone as they continue their quest to save their world.

It introduces us to a new character, Mrs. Coulter, and explores more about the mysterious Dust that is at the heart of Lyra’s journey.

The Amber Spyglass sees Lyra and Will travel to a variety of different worlds, as they search for the mysterious Amber Spyglass that will help them in their quest.

Along the way, they meet a variety of characters who help them on their journey and discover more about themselves and the power of knowledge.

The Amber Spyglass was also released to great acclaim and success and was firmly considered to be a thrilling conclusion to an epic trilogy.

Pros

  • The thrilling conclusion to an epic trilogy
  • A very intense, satisfying read

Cons

  • Some readers find the content a little preachy

Themes: Power, knowledge, morality, fantasy

His Dark Materials Accompanying Material

In addition to the trilogy, Philip Pullman has released a variety of accompanying material for His Dark Materials.

As noted, this includes The Book of Dust series, which is a prequel to the trilogy and follows Lyra as she embarks on a quest to save her world.

It also includes The Collectors’ Edition Box Set, which contains all three books in the trilogy along with additional material such as maps and illustrations.

Lyra’s Oxford is another addition – this is a short story set in the world of His Dark Materials and follows Lyra as she visits Oxford.

Finally, there is The Golden Compass Graphic Novel, which is an adaptation of the first book in the trilogy.

It was released in 2008 and has been praised for its beautiful artwork and faithful adaptation of the original novel.

Final Thoughts

His Dark Materials is an epic fantasy trilogy by Philip Pullman that has been praised for its exploration of power, knowledge, and morality.

The accompanying material provides additional insight into the world of His Dark Materials and further enhances the experience.

Whether you’re a fan of the books or just looking for something new to read, His Dark Materials is definitely worth checking out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are His Dark Materials?

His Dark Materials is a fantasy trilogy by Philip Pullman that follows Lyra and Will as they search for the mysterious Amber Spyglass. Along the way, they explore themes of power, knowledge, and morality.

What Other Material Has Been Released For His Dark Materials?

In addition to the trilogy, Philip Pullman has released a variety of accompanying material for His Dark Materials.

This includes The Book of Dust, The Collectors’ Edition Box Set, Lyra’s Oxford, and The Golden Compass Graphic Novel.

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Noah Burton