After three decades, six novels, and millions of devoted readers, Philip Pullman has finally brought the epic saga of Lyra Belacqua to its long-awaited conclusion. With the release of "The Rose Field" on October 23, 2025, Pullman’s beloved heroine—once a precocious, fiercely independent child—reaches the end of her extraordinary journey, leaving a legacy that has shaped modern fantasy literature and captivated audiences across generations.
Lyra was first introduced to the world in 1995, sneaking through the corridors of Jordan College, Oxford, in the opening pages of "Northern Lights" (published as "The Golden Compass" in the United States). From that fateful moment, readers were swept into a universe where daemons—animal companions that mirror the soul—walk beside their humans, and where a mysterious substance called Dust holds the key to the mysteries of consciousness, sin, and the universe itself. According to The Economist, Lyra’s adventures have now spanned six novels, selling an astonishing 50 million copies worldwide and inspiring adaptations for both stage and screen.
Yet, the appeal of Pullman’s world has always been more than magical creatures and parallel universes. As NPR’s All Things Considered recently highlighted, Lyra’s journey is as much about the search for truth and the trials of growing up as it is about battling the sinister Magisterium or traversing between worlds. In an interview, Pullman reflected on the origins of his saga: "Those things came to me as I was writing the story. I started the story in a very simple way. I wanted to know what dust was. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Lyra." He added, "That's the motive behind a lot of reading, to find out what happened next. It's certainly the motive behind my writing because I don't make a plan in advance. I discover as I write work through."
"The Rose Field" marks the culmination of two trilogies: the original "His Dark Materials"—comprising "Northern Lights," "The Subtle Knife," and "The Amber Spyglass"—and the more recent "The Book of Dust," which includes "La Belle Sauvage," "The Secret Commonwealth," and now, the final chapter. As The Washington Post observed, Pullman’s world is a vast and meticulously crafted alternate England, where the Magisterium wields religious and political power, and secret organizations like Oakley Street struggle to resist its authoritarian grip.
The heart of Pullman’s narrative, however, is Lyra herself. Readers have watched her transform from the bold, inquisitive 11-year-old who could read the alethiometer—a truth-telling device powered by Dust—into a young woman grappling with the complexities of adulthood, loss, and responsibility. Her daemon, Pantalaimon, is more than a companion; he is a manifestation of Lyra’s soul, capable of shifting forms throughout her childhood and settling as a pine marten in adulthood. Their bond, tested by separation and trauma, is central to both trilogies, with "The Rose Field" promising to resolve lingering questions about their relationship and Lyra’s sense of self.
Pullman’s work is renowned for its fearless engagement with weighty themes. As The Washington Post notes, the series delves into the origins of sentience, the nature of original sin, and the dangers posed by unchecked authority—whether religious or political. The Magisterium, modeled after the Catholic Church, seeks to suppress heretical thought and control the flow of knowledge, while Oakley Street operates in the shadows to protect those who resist. The books also tackle contemporary issues such as climate change and the European refugee crisis, using the lens of fantasy to explore the real-world consequences of intolerance and environmental neglect.
In "The Book of Dust," readers see Lyra as an adult, wrestling with the aftermath of her parents’ sacrifice and her separation from Will Parry, her soulmate from the original trilogy. She loses her ability to read the alethiometer and becomes estranged from Pan, who leaves to search for her lost imagination. This emotional rupture, as The Washington Post explains, gives Lyra the rare ability to travel far from her daemon—a blessing and a curse that underscores her ongoing search for identity and belonging.
Pullman’s approach to storytelling is as unconventional as his protagonist. He has often spoken about his refusal to meticulously plot his novels in advance, preferring instead to let the story unfold organically. "Don't make a plan. It'll kill the book before you start. Just write. You need to be surprised," he advised, reflecting on his years teaching creative writing. This spontaneity has allowed Pullman’s world to grow in unexpected directions, introducing new characters and philosophical dilemmas as needed.
One of the most enduring mysteries of the series is Dust itself. As Pullman described to NPR, "Dust is a mystery to them as well as everybody else because it seems to be connected in some way with matters of religion, with matters of faith, matters of perception, matters of understanding." Scientists in Lyra’s world view Dust as a manifestation of human consciousness, while the Magisterium sees it as the root of sin and seeks to eradicate it. This conflict drives much of the action in both trilogies and lies at the heart of Lyra’s quest.
"The Rose Field" also brings back familiar faces—both friends and adversaries. Malcolm Polstead, who first rescued baby Lyra in "La Belle Sauvage," returns as a history professor and secret agent. Marcel Delamare, Lyra’s uncle, seeks revenge for his sister’s death, while Olivier Bonneville introduces new dangers with his radical approach to reading the alethiometer. The stakes are higher than ever, with Lyra and Pan forced to confront not only external threats but also the internal fractures that have shaped their lives.
Throughout it all, Pullman has maintained a nuanced perspective on religion and power. "When politics gets hold of religion or when religion gets hold of politics, it becomes very, very dangerous," he told NPR. "And by religion, I mean anything that is spoken from as it were on high, the authority of a great voice that can't brook any interruption, any denial." This skepticism informs the series’ portrayal of the Magisterium and its relentless pursuit of control.
The pressure to craft a satisfying conclusion was immense, especially given the iconic ending of the first trilogy—where Lyra and Will, separated by the boundaries of their worlds, sit on parallel park benches, forever apart. Pullman acknowledged the challenge: "Of course, I was aware of that. It's a very good ending. But I couldn't do it again." Instead, he found solace in the sprawling cast and the freedom to revisit old characters, ultimately declaring, "I'm pleased with this ending. I think it works."
As "The Rose Field" closes the book on Lyra’s adventures, readers are left to reflect on the series’ enduring power. Through fantastical landscapes and philosophical debates, Pullman has offered a meditation on the nature of consciousness, the perils of dogma, and the resilience of the human spirit. For those who grew up alongside Lyra—or discovered her later in life—the journey has been nothing short of transformative.
With the final page turned, Lyra Belacqua’s story stands as a testament to the magic of storytelling and the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it leads.
