Reading Order
His Dark Materialsseries.seoTitleShort
Start with The Golden Compass and continue through all 8 books in the listed reading order.
Start Here
Start with The Golden Compass
Book 1 by Philip Pullman
Use the reading order above to move through the series in the intended sequence.
Complete List
His Dark Materials reading order
Ends with The Collectors
- 1
Book 1:The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Use the reading order above to move through the series in the intended sequence.
- 2
Book 2:The Subtle Knife
Philip Pullman • 1997
Will Parry, a boy from our Oxford, stumbles into a deserted city in another world and meets Lyra. Together they discover a knife that can cut windows between universes, drawing them into a conflict involving Spectres,...
- 3
Book 3:The Amber Spyglass
Philip Pullman • 2000
As war erupts in the heavens, Lyra and Will must journey even into the Land of the Dead to learn the truth about Dust and make a choice that will shape every world. Their quest tests love, loyalty and courage against...
- 4
Book 4:Lyra's Oxford
Philip Pullman • 2003
This illustrated novella revisits Lyra a few years after His Dark Materials, when a wounded bird leads her into a small, sinister mystery in the alleys and colleges of Oxford. It offers a brief, atmospheric glimpse of...
- 5
Book 5:Once Upon a Time in the North
Philip Pullman • 2008
A prequel to His Dark Materials, this short novel shows how Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby first met the armoured bear Iorek Byrnison in the rough northern port of Novy Odense, crossing a corrupt politician and a powerfu...
- 6
Book 6:Serpentine
Philip Pullman • 2020
Set between His Dark Materials and The Secret Commonwealth, this brief tale sends teenage Lyra and Pantalaimon back to Trollesund to consult the witch‑consul Dr Lanselius, as they struggle to understand their new abil...
- 7
Book 7:The Imagination Chamber
Philip Pullman • 2022
A small companion volume to His Dark Materials, this book gathers tiny scenes, vignettes and images from Lyra’s universe. Each fragment offers a fleeting glimpse of characters, places or ideas, and together they feel...
- 8
Book 8:The Collectors
Philip Pullman • 2022
On a winter night in an Oxford college, two men discuss a disturbing painting and a curious piece of art that may be linked to the enigmatic Mrs Coulter. Their conversation turns into a ghost story that slips between...
Quick Answers
His Dark Materials FAQ
What is the best order to read the His Dark Materials series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with The Golden Compass.
How many books are in the His Dark Materials series?
There are 8 books currently listed in the His Dark Materials series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the His Dark Materials series?
New readers should start with The Golden Compass, the first book in the reading order.
Is the His Dark Materials series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears likely complete and spans releases from 1997 to 2022.