Filled with underworld atmosphere, larger-than-life characters, and cliff-hanging suspense as well as thoughtful, provocative themes, these works have inspired Pullman's comparison to classic novelists such as Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. As a writer of fantasy, Pullman is best known as the creator of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, epic tales set in an Arctic-like region that revolve around the concept of daemons, animal familiars that contain the souls of their human counterparts, and the quest of Lyra Belacqua, a feisty, shrewd teenager, to find the origin of Dust, a mysterious substance integral to the composition of the universe. Called "science fantasies" by their author in an interview in
Publishers Weekly, these novels are regarded as extraordinary works that combine exciting adventures with thought-provoking philosophical content.
Although many of Pullman's books are considered sophisticated and demanding, most reviewers note their accessibility while acknowledging the author's ability to explore moral and ethical issues in riveting stories. Chris Routh of School Librarian commented that Pullman "has already confirmed his status as one of today's top storytellers," while Anne E.
