Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman is a renowned British author best known for his fantasy trilogy 'His Dark Materials'. His works often explore themes of religion, science, and human nature.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. His Dark Materials
"His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy that follows the journey of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, across parallel universes. Throughout their adventures, they encounter a variety of mythical creatures, confront religious and political systems, and grapple with complex themes such as free will, original sin, and the nature of consciousness. The series also delves into the mysteries of Dust, a strange particle integral to the multiverse's function.
The 397th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. The Golden Compass
His Dark Materials, Book 1
The book follows the journey of a young girl in a parallel universe where people's souls exist outside of their bodies as animal companions, called daemons. When her friend is kidnapped by a mysterious organization, she sets off on a quest to rescue him, armed with a truth-telling device known as the golden compass. Along the way, she encounters a variety of characters, including witches, armored bears, and aeronauts, and uncovers a sinister plot involving the children of her world.
The 2482nd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. The Amber Spyglass
His Dark Materials, Book 3
The final installment in a fantasy trilogy, this novel follows the young protagonists as they continue their journey through parallel universes. They find themselves in the world of the dead, where they lead a rebellion against the oppressive authorities. Meanwhile, celestial forces are gathering for a final, apocalyptic battle. The young heroes must also confront their own destiny, which is tied to a mysterious object known as the amber spyglass. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the nature of consciousness.
The 2963rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
4. The Subtle Knife
His Dark Materials, Book 2
In the second installment of a fantasy trilogy, a young boy discovers a magical knife that can cut through the fabric of reality, allowing him to travel between parallel worlds. As he learns to master the knife's powers, he meets a girl from another universe on a quest to understand a mysterious substance called Dust. Their paths intertwine with a war brewing across the multiverse, involving witches, armored bears, and shadowy organizations, as they uncover dark truths and face grave dangers in their journey to understand the knife's true purpose and the nature of their own destinies.
The 3820th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. La Belle Sauvage
The Book of Dust Volume One
In this captivating fantasy novel, set in a richly imagined world parallel to our own, a young boy named Malcolm Polstead becomes embroiled in a dangerous adventure when he discovers a mysterious baby, Lyra, who is destined for great things. As a massive flood threatens to engulf their surroundings, Malcolm, along with his daemon Asta and a brave girl named Alice, must navigate treacherous waters and evade sinister forces intent on capturing Lyra. Throughout their perilous journey, they encounter magical creatures, confront moral dilemmas, and forge unbreakable bonds, all while uncovering secrets that have far-reaching implications for their world.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
6. The Good Man Jesus And The Scoundrel Christ
The book reimagines the story of Jesus by presenting him as two distinct characters: Jesus, the good-hearted preacher, and Christ, his more pragmatic and calculating twin brother. Through this dual narrative, the story explores themes of faith, truth, and the nature of history, as Christ records and sometimes alters the events of Jesus's life to create a more enduring legacy. The novel delves into the complexities of religious belief and the tension between spiritual ideals and institutionalized religion, ultimately questioning how stories are shaped and remembered over time.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time -
7. Lyra's Oxford
Set in the richly imaginative world of an alternate Oxford, this enchanting novella follows the young protagonist as she navigates a mysterious and magical adventure. When a witch's daemon unexpectedly crashes into her life, she is drawn into a quest that intertwines with the mystical and the mundane. As she delves deeper into the enigma, she encounters a series of curious characters and uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of the world. This tale, filled with intrigue and wonder, offers a glimpse into the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the ever-present battle between good and evil.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
8. The Secret Commonwealth
The Book of Dust Volume Two
In this captivating continuation of a beloved fantasy series, readers follow the journey of a young woman named Lyra as she navigates a world filled with political intrigue, mystical forces, and personal discovery. Set in a universe where humans have animal companions called daemons, the story explores themes of freedom, truth, and the complexities of human nature. As Lyra embarks on a perilous quest across continents, she encounters a host of new characters and faces challenges that test her courage and resolve, all while uncovering secrets that have the power to reshape her understanding of the world and herself.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
9. Once Upon A Time In The North
A Story in the World of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials
Set in the same universe as a beloved fantasy series, this prequel novella explores the adventurous past of two key characters. The story follows a young aeronaut and his loyal armored bear companion as they navigate the treacherous political landscape of a remote Arctic town. Amidst swirling intrigue and looming danger, they must confront formidable adversaries and forge alliances to protect their freedom and integrity. This tale of courage and friendship offers a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and sets the stage for their future exploits.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
10. The Shadow In The North
A Sally Lockhart Mystery
Set in Victorian England, this gripping mystery follows the intrepid young detective Sally Lockhart as she delves into a web of deceit and danger. When a client loses her savings in a mysterious financial collapse, Sally's investigation uncovers a sinister conspiracy involving a powerful industrialist, a deadly invention, and a shadowy figure pulling the strings from the North. As Sally and her companions race against time to unravel the truth, they face perilous challenges that test their courage and wit, ultimately leading to a dramatic and unexpected climax.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
11. The Ruby In The Smoke
Set in Victorian London, this gripping mystery follows the intrepid young Sally Lockhart as she delves into the dark underworld of opium dens and sinister secrets. After receiving a cryptic message about her father's death, Sally embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth, encountering a host of intriguing characters, including a ruthless villain and a mysterious ruby with a deadly curse. With her sharp wit and courage, Sally navigates a treacherous path filled with deception and danger, determined to unravel the mysteries of her past and secure her future.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
12. The Broken Bridge
Set in the picturesque landscapes of Wales, this coming-of-age story follows 16-year-old Ginny Howard as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and identity. Raised by her single father, Ginny's world is turned upside down when she uncovers family secrets that challenge her understanding of her past and her mixed-race heritage. As she grapples with questions of belonging and identity, Ginny navigates the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and the search for her own place in the world, all while confronting the emotional truths hidden within her family's history.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
13. The Rose Field
The Rose Field is a forthcoming fantasy novel by Philip Pullman. It is the third volume in The Book of Dust series and the final book about the character Lyra Silvertongue. The book will be published on 23 October 2025 by David Fickling Books in association with Penguin Random House and Alfred A. Knopf. The Rose Field is set directly after The Secret Commonwealth, which was published in 2019. The story follows the events of the previous book, as Lyra is alone in search of her dæmon and Malcolm has travelled in search of her. It is set twenty years or so after the events of La Belle Sauvage and ten years after the conclusion of the His Dark Materials trilogy.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
14. The Collectors
Set in the intriguing world of Oxford, this captivating tale unfolds during a winter evening at a prestigious art gallery. Two art collectors, Marisa Coulter and Horley, engage in a riveting conversation about a mysterious painting and a peculiar sculpture, both of which are rumored to possess supernatural qualities. As their discussion deepens, secrets from the past emerge, intertwining with the enigmatic allure of the artworks. The narrative weaves a spellbinding exploration of ambition, power, and the unseen forces that shape our destinies, leaving readers pondering the thin line between reality and the fantastical.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
15. Zorza Polarna
His Dark Materials Book 1
In a world where human souls manifest as animal companions called daemons, a young girl named Lyra embarks on a perilous journey to the Arctic North. Her quest is driven by the mysterious disappearance of children, including her friend Roger, and the enigmatic substance known as Dust. Alongside her daemon, Pantalaimon, and a host of allies including armored polar bears and a Texan aeronaut, Lyra uncovers a sinister plot that challenges the very fabric of her universe, leading her to confront powerful forces and uncover truths about her own destiny.
-
16. Serpentine
In this enchanting tale, Lyra Silvertongue, accompanied by her daemon Pantalaimon, embarks on a journey back to the Arctic North, a place filled with memories and mysteries from her past. As they navigate the icy landscapes, Lyra grapples with the profound changes in her relationship with Pantalaimon, exploring themes of identity, independence, and the intricate bond between humans and their daemons. This introspective adventure delves into the complexities of growing up, the nature of the soul, and the enduring quest for understanding and connection.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
17. The Tiger In The Well
A Sally Lockhart Mystery
A gripping Victorian thriller in which resourceful young mother and businesswoman Sally Lockhart finds her family targeted by a ruthless conspiracy: as lies, blackmail and corrupt officials close in, she must use her courage, intelligence and a few loyal allies to penetrate London’s underworld, unmask dangerous enemies and fight to protect her child and expose the truth.
-
18. The Tin Princess
A Sally Lockhart Mystery
When a young man’s hidden ties to a tiny, unstable European principality are revealed, he and his friends are swept into courtly intrigue, dangerous conspiracies and moral dilemmas as they struggle to protect an endangered royal figure, confront corrupt power, and reckon with questions of identity, loyalty and the cost of revenge.
-
19. Clockwork
or, All Wound Up
In a small provincial town, a young apprentice clockmaker faces a desperate demand to create a marvel while a boastful storyteller pens a grim tale about a mechanical warrior; as the fabricated story and the clockwork creation begin to intersect, their intertwined consequences force ordinary people to confront guilt, courage, and the unpredictable power of stories and inventions.
-
20. Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm
A lively retelling of classic German folk tales presented in clear, modern prose that preserves their dark humor and moral edge; the collection brings together familiar stories—such as Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and Rumpelstiltskin—alongside lesser-known tales, rendering them accessible to contemporary readers while retaining their haunting atmosphere, vivid characters, and sharp lessons about greed, bravery, cleverness, and fate.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
21. The Scarecrow And His Servant
A living scarecrow springs from straw and dust into a roguish, quick-witted being who hires a down-on-his-luck orphan as his servant, and the unlikely pair set off on a rollicking chain of adventures — from rural mischief to the strange, sometimes dangerous streets of town — meeting eccentric characters, outwitting villains, and testing the limits of loyalty and courage; the tale mixes slapstick humor and sharp social satire as the odd friendship forces both to confront their flaws and grow.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
Purchase from Bookshop.org
-
Purchase from Bookshop.org
-
24. The Firework Maker's Daughter
A spirited young girl who longs to become a firework-maker like her father refuses to accept that the craft is only for men, and when tradition demands a dangerous test of bravery she undertakes a daring quest to obtain the secret ingredient that makes fireworks sing. Along the way she faces peril, outwits formidable guardians, and discovers unexpected allies, learning what courage, creativity, and family really mean while ultimately proving her skill and earning her place in the world of spectacular light and sound.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
25. I Was A Rat!
Or, The Scarlet Slippers
A small, bedraggled boy is rescued and taken into a kindly household, but he keeps insisting — in one stubborn, puzzling phrase — that he used to be a rat. His baffling behavior, fierce loyalty, and literal-mindedness unsettle the people around him and soon attract public attention, forcing adults to confront questions of identity, responsibility, and compassion as they try to discover who he really is and what kind of life he deserves.
