Search - The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Bk 1)

This is an interesting story. The movie, "The Golden Compass," came out in December 2007 and is much less nuanced. After reading the story, the movie feels rushed, it does recreate Pullman's world to good effect. After reading the entire trilogy, I feel this first book is the most enjoyable because it's tightly written and well paced.

Pullman creates a first-class alternate fantasy universe that both older children and adults should enjoy exploring. This first book is not a total cliffhanger but it does leave much for the next two books to explain. Items of religious controversy mostly come out in the third and concluding book.

Very good series, listed for young adults, but should be enjoyable to many ages.

While I think the book started off slow, I was very pleased to find myself reading the book in a few days, anticipating each turn of the page and the adventure it brought!

Lyra is a girl, but no ordinary girl. Her adventures start at Jordan college when she witnesses something she should have not seen. From that point forward she is in a whirlwind adventure with her daemon, gyptions, witches and an armoured bear.

Children and their daemons are suddenly vanishing. People know the Gobblers are taking them, but are not sure why. When they do find out why they are terrified!

Lyra sets out to save the lost children with help and I will leave off here before I give up too many details.

A great read.

The tale continues with the other books in "His Dark Materials" - the Subtle Knife is Books 2.

Pick it up and sit back and enjoy the ride (on cloud-pine branches if you have them).

This was an intelligently-written book with adventure, suspense, love, and sinister deeds. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot served dual purposes, one cursory (adventure) and one deep (Church suppression of knowledge); I respected both of them and found myself enthralled with the story, itself.

My favorite parts involved the Armoured Bears, who I adored, with their dedication and loyalty and honor. Pullman was very inventive in how he discussed ordinarily-known creatures in different ways - witches, bears, etc. Pullman's language and naming of things reminded me of Neal Stephenson.

I will definitely read the next two books, as I feel compelled to follow little Lyra on her journey. I'd previously seen the movie, but this book was so much better.

Excellent book! Provided food for thought as well as an exciting story. Following the exploits of Lyra and watching how she learns to trust others, and when not to trust, provides entertainment for the mature reader while it gives the younger crowd something to identify with and, perhaps, learn from. As happens so often, those who have seen the movie and are now reading the book - the ending is a bit different so no peaking!

This was a great book. I actually read the whole series, and I thought it tailed off toward the end but this book was worth it on its own. Emotional, engaging fiction set in a parallel world.