The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials)

Such a great read in so many ways. Seen the movie, now I'm on book 2 the Subtle Knife. Might be even better book, might be disturbing for some bcz of more science fiction altered realities and religious questioning.

Great story for pre-teens and older. Wonderful series.

For anyone else getting confused, apparently for some stupid reason they retitled the book for the US version. (It's not like it's a different language and we wouldn't understand the translation.) I was about to buy this book, thinking it was a continuation of the series that I loved when I realized the plot sounded remarkably familiar.

I read Northern lights, because my aunty who is a school librarian told me how good the book was. She certainly was not wrong. This book offers drama, action, love, hate and a gripping storyline. The book is all about Lyra, a 12-year-old girl who goes on an amazing adventure up in the north to rescue her friend Rodger and her uncle Lord Asriel. I think this book has a brilliant story line, because as the book goes on new adventures unfold for Lyra that keeps any reader with an imagination involved in this delightful fantasy book. Throughout the book you join Lyra through her adventures to save the world from original sin. I thought that the clever twist in the book really makes it interesting and an enjoyable race against time to see whether the world shall be destroyed or saved. You will have to read the book to find out, because I am not going to tell you! Phillip Pullman is a very clever and talented writer and deserves much appreciation from his readers that have discovered a whole new universe inside a little book.I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good fantasy read and something to stimulate your imagination.

Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, first book of His Dark Materials trilogy, is an absolutely astounding book. It is centred around a girl called Lyra with a distinct personality. Readers will immediatly be drawn to her spicy attitude to life. She is made to leave her normal life with curiosity of the fact she will travel with Mrs Coulter, who seems to Lyra like an interesting person, despite her odd thoughts about `Gobblers' and the mysterious disappearances going on.It is revealed Lyra has special powers.You will be pulled face-first into Lyra's world. There are many mysteries that you will want to ponder too. If you like fantasy or adventure books, and that appeals to most people, read this book because it will thrill you the whole way through.

This is a magical book, a truly inspirational piece of writing from Philip Pullman. It focuses on the life of a young girl named Lyra and her daemon. Lyra leaves the places she knows well and sets out on a journey, not knowing the true purpose of her trip until she is completely caught up in it. The story takes the reader completely into Lyra's world and lets you enjoy the twists of the plot, observing the life of the life of the young heroine as she grows along the way. AND...guess what...there's a sequel!