By now, it’s no secret that Philip Pullman is going to be releasing a new trilogy titled The Book of Dust sometime in the near future. If you were a fan of the original His Dark Materials series, then you are definitely worked up right now. His Dark Materials was a fantastic series that tackled complex topics such as religion, and the inequities of totalitarian governments. Unfortunately, it seems that there is still going to be quite a wait until the first installment of the The Book of Dust will be released. Until then, here are 10 books that will keep you entertained:
1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Before the new stuff comes out, you might want to re-acquaint (or check out) the original trilogy. Even if you have read the trilogy recently, I encourage you to flip through it again! Each new read unveils a new layer of Pullman’s work and different meanings to the story of Lyra.
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2. East by Edith Pattou
If you loved Lyra’s friendship with a polar bear (and admit it, it was cute) then East is definitely for you. East tells the story of Rose, a young woman who decides to travel with a magical polar bear in exchange for her family’s well being. Her decision leads her to being plunged into a world of mystery and adventure. Part sweeping epic, part romance, East will leave you breathless.
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3. Sabriel by Garth Nix
For number three on this list, we go a little old school. Garth Nix’s Sabriel features a protagonist that shares more than a few similarities with Lyra. Both have mysterious and absent fathers, both have talking animal side kicks, and both go on fantastic adventures. If you need to find a new fantasy adventure novel with a strong female protagonist then Sabriel is for you.
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4. The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
The first in The Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Amulet of Samarkand is about a young man’s quest for revenge with a smart talking djinn. Stroud perfectly mixes smart humor with magic, resulting in a strange, but wonderful buddy cop-esque story.
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5. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle
As one of the most iconic science fiction novels of all time, A Wrinkle in Time not only brought to life a marvelous adventure, it also tackled some abstract concepts. Madeleine L’Engle managed to incorporate complicated topics relating to physics and theology with a story about two children’s attempt to save the world. Check out details about the upcoming movie, here!
6. Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
Are you looking for a fun, quirky, smart fantasy adventure while you wait for The Book of Dust? Well look no further, because Deep Secret is among the strangest adventures you will find. The story kicks off with Magid-in-training Rupert trying to find a successor for his suddenly deceased mentor. The resulting journey is creative, fun, and exciting.
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7. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper
Yet another middle grade classic graces this list. Over Sea, Under Stone follows a duo-team of young children and their quest for the Holy Grail. Written as both an adventure and a mystery novel of sorts, this page turner will keep you on the edge of your seat. Over Sea, Under Stone is also the first novel in Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising series.
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8. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Perhaps part of what interested you in His Dark Materials is its exploration of morality and humanity. If that’s the case, you might enjoy Octavia Butler’s Parable of Sower. Butler crafts a story set in a dystopian world where America has collapsed. Butler’s protagonist, Lauren Olamina, must find a way to survive this world amid the death of her family. In doing so, she conceives a revolutionary idea that could save human-kind.
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9. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Searching for a supernatural comedy that deals with the Apocalypse? If so, Good Omens is a novel you should pick up! Featuring a demon and an angel who have grown too fond of Earth and the people in it, Good Omens is both thought-provoking and hilarious. This one is also headed to the silver screen in the near future!
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10. The Wind Singer by William Nicholson
Topics like class discrimination and the tactics used to keep people divided are difficult topics to breach for any author. But William Nicholson is able to do so with Wind Singer, a tale of children trying to save their family. When their loved ones are forced into a lower class, Kestrel and her brother must leave the city to find a key to the city center. However, doing so means a confrontation with some of the most malicious forces in the world.
Source: Amazon
Fans of the original His Dark Materials series, if you have any further suggestions, comment them below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o_W0QejrCQ
YouTube Channel: Bard Cadarn
Featured image via The Independent
h/t Bustle
