His Dark Materials, the fantasy trilogy penned by Philip Pullman, is getting a long-awaited companion trilogy this fall.

Move over J.K. Rowling, it’s time for another beloved fantasy author to release new material! Surprising nearly everyone who grew up reading His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman announced today that a companion trilogy is set to hit shelves starting October 19, 2017.

Even though The Book of Dust takes place 10 years before The Golden Compass, expect Lyra to play an important part in the narrative. The second installment takes place 10 years after the conclusion of His Dark Materials.

Pullman reveals that the first book is not a prequel, nor is it a sequel. Rather, it is an “equel.” The second book will take a look at Lyra in her 20s. As for the third? Well, Pullman is mum on that one for now!

So, why The Book of Dust? Dust plays a role in the original trilogy as a substance that bestows consciousness. Pullman’s interest in the mysterious substance never went away.

Pullman comments, “Questions about that mysterious and troubling substance were already causing strife ten years before His Dark Materials, and at the center of The Book of Dust is the struggle between a despotic and totalitarian organization that wants to stifle speculation and inquiry, and those who believe thought and speech should be free.

“Little by little through that story the idea of what Dust was became clearer and clearer, but I always wanted to return to it and discover more.”

Pullman is not new to the revival spotlight. Recently a miniseries based on His Dark Materials is in development at the BBC. Cursed Child writer Jack Thorne is attached the project. This project is already more promising than the ill-received adaptation of The Golden Compass.

How excited are you for more of ‘His Dark Materials’?

The Book of Dust arrives October 19, 2017 and is available for pre-order.