The Golden Compass

The concept is unique and intriguing. Great world building.

Can't decide wether or not this is a 4 stars or 3.5 stars. It was a good book but I was prepared to absolutely love the story and I was a little underwhelmed. Really thought this would be a a 5 stars and above read. I liked the world and the magic though and I would like to continue on with the series.

I originally read this back in the 90s, sometime after the second book came out but before the third. I remember enjoying it at the time, but for whatever reason I never got around to reading the rest of the trilogy. As part of my goal to finish more series that I started but never finished, I decided this would be the next trilogy/series I tackled.

The Golden Compass definitely holds up. I didn’t remember too much – just the broad strokes of the plot and characters – but what I found welcome about it is that it’s the rare young adult book where the main character behaves like a kid, but she’s also smart and capable in a way specific to children. Lyra Belacqua never feels like a little adult trapped in a child’s body, and the book is all the better for it.

Pullman also has a way with words and a fascination with headier philosophical matters that weave throughout the story without ever overwhelming the plot.

This is a book for kids with stakes that feel real and dangerous and occasionally horrifying. The villains are truly villainous, and the book doesn’t pull any punches. I started reading the second book the day after I finished the first, so I’m already doing better than I did oh those many years ago.

Lyra Belacqua, an orphan goes on an adventure between worlds. Oxford, is her home as her uncle,Lord Asriel has paid the institute to educate and look after her. But she is a free soul, who wanders on the streets with her friend Roger and her own world of childish fantasies.She is no ideal child but an ideal lair with a great loyalty towards friends. She doesn't like to called a "LADY" or doesn't want to be one too.. :)

In her world there are daemons,who are inseparable from their human counterpart. Each human has his own , personal daemon.

Lyra's world turns upside down when she comes to know about a mysterious element in nature called "Dust" and overhears about the possibility of new parallel worlds existing with hers when her uncle is demonstrating it to the scholars.Her uncle refuses to take her North, where he is travelling in search of "dust" and she is handed over to the care of Mrs. Coulter,an explorer (as she describes).

Her friend Roger is kidnapped, and she sets out to find him.... and finds a lot more truth than she imagined.There are witches, gypsies,a truth telling golden compass, warrior bears and GOBBLERS....

A lovely fantasy..:)

I didn't like the writing style and the characters were bland. The story and world building was confusing and hard to follow. I don't understand the hype for this series.

Despite that this took me over a month to read, it's a good book. I didn't really like Lyra much, but also I'm not exactly in the demographic for this, so it can't be helped. I never read this as a kid so I had FOMO.

I love the overall plot of the book. It's dark, it's twisted, and there are moments of reflection with Paradise Lost, which is such an interesting choice of inspiration for a children's/YA book, that I couldn't help myself but try and draw as many connections as I could between the two, though they're fairly scarce in book one, I'm told it becomes more interesting/obvious once you get into books 2 and 3. I might just read summaries of those, though. I don't know.

Besides Lyra being very much juvenile and a bit stupid (but not overly so, thank heavens), I did really enjoy the other characters, especially Farder Coram and Mrs. Coulter (who I loved to hate). Serafina was interesting but I think the witches in this are like the angels in Paradis Lost; disconnected from Earth and Earthly things, but with their own laws and concerns.

I definitely recommend for fans of dark fantasy, alternate Catholic fiction, and trilogies.

His Dark Materials is a richly imagined fantasy trilogy with complex world building, vivid characters and a fast paced and riveting plot. The first book in the series, Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass) introduces eleven year old Lyra Belacqua - niece of the famed scholar, Lord Asriel - and her daemon (a spirit animal), Pantalaimon.

A ward of Oxford college, Lyra runs wild as the scholars there try to entertain, tame and teach her. Pantalaimon tries to rein her in but little can stop Lyra when she's made up her mind. Content with her life Lyra gives no thought to the world outside her little bubble - until her best friend Roger, is kidnapped by the Gobblers and Lyra sets out on a quest to rescue him.

I loved Lyra the first time I read this and every time since. Lyra is bold, brash and carefree, prone to lying and capable of incredible loyalty and devotion. I loved her determination to save Roger - even if she's not entirely sure how to go about it.

There were elements of a classic fantasy quest story but then Pullman runs away, making the world building bigger and bolder and creating something unique. The mystery of Dust, the alethiometer (a golden compass-like item that can tell the truth) and daemons kept me hooked, dying to find out more and fill in the blanks. I loved the armoured bears, the witches and the gyptians. And Pantalaimon was the best. I undoubtedly identified with him more as he played the conscience to Lyra's craziness. But you can't have one without the other and they were brilliant.

The conclusion was satisfying (although

completely heartbreaking

) while paving a path for the rest of the series to build upon.

A well deserved classic of the fantasy genre. 5 stars.

I watched the movie first but the movie was so different compared to the book. The mystery and the conspiracy behind dust. The plot twist. And the amazing magic system and world we find ourself in! This book got me out of a reading slump. Plus Lyra is just funny, sassy, smart, and witty. Her nickname (Lyra Silvertounge) is formed around her exceptional skills when it comes to lying. It was so amazing reading this.

It was a fun read. Lyra was likable and the lore of this series is great.

Equal parts engaging fantasy adventure and dissection of the roles of religion and science.