If you enjoy reading books by Philip Pullman then you might also like the following authors:
C.S. Lewis is a writer best known for his skill in weaving fantasy with meaningful themes. One of his well-loved books, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” follows four siblings who stumble into a magical world called Narnia through an old wardrobe.
In this world, they meet talking animals, encounter an evil witch who has cast the land into eternal winter, and discover their own roles in an ancient prophecy.
The story takes readers on a journey filled with adventure, battles, and moments of wonder, all while exploring ideas of bravery and loyalty. It’s the kind of book that pulls you into another world from the very first chapter.
J.K. Rowling is best known for her “Harry Potter” series, which takes readers into a magical world hidden within our own.
In the first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” a young boy named Harry discovers he is a wizard after years of being mistreated by his aunt and uncle. He is invited to Hogwarts, a school for magic, where he meets friends like Hermione and Ron.
Together, they uncover secrets about the school and face an evil force tied to Harry’s past. The story blends mystery, friendship, and a sense of wonder. Fans of Philip Pullman’s imaginative settings might find the intricate magical world Rowling creates equally fascinating.
Cornelia Funke is a German author known for her rich stories that spark the imagination. Her book “Inkheart” is about a young girl named Meggie who discovers her father has the ability to bring characters from books into the real world when he reads aloud.
One night, he accidentally releases villains from a story, which throws their lives into chaos. Meggie has to uncover family secrets, face dangerous foes, and find her own courage as she steps into a world where fiction and reality collide.
Fans of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” might find Funke’s storytelling immerses them in a similarly magical yet deeply human world.
Neil Gaiman is an author who creates imaginative and layered stories that mix fantasy with the real world. One of his books, “The Graveyard Book,” is about a boy named Bod who grows up in a graveyard after his family is killed.
He’s raised by ghosts and a mysterious guardian who isn’t quite human. The story follows Bod as he learns about life, death, and danger beyond the graveyard gates. It has a magical yet dark atmosphere, with plenty of secrets to uncover and strange characters to meet.
Diana Wynne Jones is a wonderful author known for her imaginative fantasy worlds and characters that feel alive. One of her best-known books is “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The story is about Sophie, a young woman who gets cursed by a witch and transformed into an old woman.
She ends up living in Howl’s magical, walking castle. Howl is a mysterious wizard with secrets of his own, and the castle is full of strange magic and surprises. As Sophie tries to break the curse, she uncovers layers of enchantment and danger.
Fans of Philip Pullman might enjoy the way Jones weaves magic and everyday life together.
Garth Nix is known for creating rich fantasy worlds with strong characters and a sense of adventure. One of his best-known books, “Sabriel,” follows a young woman who must take on her father’s role as the Abhorsen, a necromancer who lays the dead to rest.
She travels between a magical kingdom and a modern world, facing dark forces and unraveling dangerous secrets. There’s a talking cat named Mogget, who is both helpful and mysterious, and a realm called Death that feels eerie and unpredictable.
If you enjoy stories with magic, danger, and deep ties between characters, this could be the start of a series you’ll love.
Terry Pratchett is the creator of the Discworld series, a collection of stories set in a flat, magical world carried through space on the back of a giant turtle. His books mix humor, fantasy, and sharp insights about human nature.
In “The Wee Free Men,” Pratchett introduces Tiffany Aching, a young witch-in-training who discovers her brother has been kidnapped by the Queen of the Fairies.
Armed with a frying pan and her wits, Tiffany teams up with the Nac Mac Feegle, a group of tiny but fearless blue-skinned men. The story explores bravery, cleverness, and standing up for what matters.
Fans of Philip Pullman’s imaginative worlds and layered characters might enjoy the way Pratchett builds rich, quirky settings alongside strong protagonists.
Laini Taylor is an author known for creating vivid, imaginative worlds filled with magic and mystery. Her book “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” tells the story of Karou, a blue-haired art student in Prague with a strange, secret life.
Karou runs mysterious errands for her adoptive family, creatures with human and animal features called chimaera. As she starts piecing together clues about her past, she uncovers an ancient war between the chimaera and the seraphim.
The story is filled with wonder, strange magic, and questions about identity and belonging. Fans of Philip Pullman’s layered storytelling and rich fantasy might enjoy the blend of otherworldly and personal struggles in this book.
Madeleine L’Engle is a writer who brings imagination and science together in her stories. Her book “A Wrinkle in Time” takes readers on an adventure through space and time.
It follows Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they search for Meg’s father, a scientist who went missing. Guided by strange and mystical beings named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, the kids travel to distant planets.
Along the way, they confront a dark force threatening to consume everything. The mix of otherworldly settings and personal struggles makes her work stand out.
Christopher Paolini is an author known for creating immersive fantasy worlds with rich detail and memorable characters. His book “Eragon,” the first in the Inheritance Cycle, follows a young farm boy who discovers a dragon egg.
This discovery thrusts him into a dangerous world of magic, war, and ancient secrets. As Eragon bonds with his dragon, Saphira, he is forced to confront an evil king and decide what kind of hero he wants to become.
Fans of Philip Pullman might enjoy the depth and adventure Paolini brings to his storytelling.
Suzanne Collins is the author of “The Hunger Games,” a story set in a future where a powerful government forces children into deadly televised games as a way to keep control over the people.
The main character, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her sister’s place in the games. Throughout the story, Katniss navigates alliances, danger, and difficult moral choices while trying to survive.
The book has a mix of adventure, emotion, and themes about power and rebellion. Fans of Philip Pullman might find the strong characters and layered world-building intriguing.
Tamora Pierce writes fantasy stories with strong characters and vibrant worlds. One of her books, “Alanna: The First Adventure,” follows Alanna, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight in a medieval-inspired setting.
She faces challenges like combat training, rivalries, and learning to control her magical abilities. The book combines action and personal growth as Alanna works to prove herself. Pierce focuses on making her characters brave and flawed, which pulls readers into their journeys.
Rick Riordan is known for writing imaginative stories rooted in mythology. In his book “The Lightning Thief,” the first in the Percy Jackson series, he introduces Percy, a 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon.
The story takes readers on a journey through a modern world where Greek gods, monsters, and ancient legends are real. Percy and his friends set out on a dangerous quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
The mix of humor, adventure, and the magical feel of ancient myths brought to life makes it a book that’s hard to put down.
Eva Ibbotson wrote stories filled with magic, heart, and adventure. One of her books, “The Secret of Platform 13,” tells of a hidden doorway on a London train platform that opens to a secret island once every nine years.
This island is home to all kinds of magical creatures, from hags to mistmakers, who live in harmony. When the young prince of the island is kidnapped and raised as a spoiled boy in our world, a rescue mission is launched to bring him back.
The mix of humor and whimsy makes it a story full of charm, while the clash between the magical world and the human one pulls you in. Fans of Pullman’s layered worlds and lively characters might find something to love here.
Jonathan Stroud is an author known for crafting adventurous and imaginative stories. One of his most popular books is “The Amulet of Samarkand,” the first in the Bartimaeus Series.
It follows Nathaniel, a boy magician who summons a sarcastic and clever djinni named Bartimaeus to help him steal a powerful artifact. Their uneasy partnership is set against a backdrop of a London ruled by corrupt magicians.
The story weaves magic, danger, and sharp humor, with Bartimaeus often narrating in a witty, biting tone that makes the book so engaging. Stroud creates a vivid world where power struggles and moral questions drive the plot forward.