The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1)

Reader reviewed by GRgenius

The character at the heart of this book is Lyra.  She is a young, yet spirited soul destined for things far greater than her courage or confidence even know.  Though presented as a ward of Jordan college, her true father (and mother) is revealed over the course of the story.  Her world is one of exploration and stories.  Unfortunately, one story about a group called "the Gobblers" that is said to steal children in the middle of the night hits close to home with the disappearance of her best friend Roger.  Lyra, along with her daemon Pan (their daemon is a version of their conscience manifested in animal form), sets out on a quest to rescue her friend from the clutches of evil and encounters an adventure she won't soon forget.

Released in movie format bearing the same name, the film does not end where the book ends!  The producers were going for a happier ending when in fact the book ends on a rather sad note.  Death, religion, and the battle for control over our very natures, lie in the center of this dark tale.  Interesting?  Yes.  Hard to get into?  For me at least, yes.  Worth following through?  Yes.  Recommended for the older set of readers within this genre.  Happy reading!

Reader reviewed by Ched28

The Golden Compass is the first book in a trilogy written by Phillip Pullman. In it, you have the courageous, lion-hearted Lyra, her daemon Pan, and a whole bunch of mischief turned adventure. When Lyra first hears the word Dust, she has no idea of how much her life will revolve around such a concept.

In The Golden Compass, she sets out merely to save a friend, but the journey she takes lasts a lot longer than even she will realize. With antagonists such as Lord Asriel, Mrs. Coulter, and the The Gobblers, Lyra's life will never be the same.

Her story travels across time, and worlds, as Phillip Pullman puts together a story that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It's a book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

If it makes you jump for the book faster, it cane definitely hold it's own against the Harry Potter series.

Upon reading Philip Pullman’s "The Golden Compass" my first thought was that I have to find me an armored bear. My second thought was how this book is jam packed with such high concept ideas for a young adult book.

First there’s the whole issue with religion in Pullman’s world. The Church is way out to get everybody, and I imagine some people have had issues with this in the past. Pullman never implies that all religion is this way. Instead he sort of relives how the church acted during the Spanish Inquisition. I’m sure some people got their feathers all ruffled up by this though.

The next detailed concept is that of essentially having a physical manifestation of your soul in the form of an animal that is invisibly linked to your being. At face value, these daemons could be looked at as just a fun pet that goes everywhere with you, but they’re so much more than that. The final form your daemon chooses reflects overriding characteristics within yourself, for example people within the service industry tend to have dogs as their daemons with their intense loyalty to serve a master.

That brings up the whole class issue that’s consistently present within this book. The book has a middle of the 20th century feel to it, with clear distinctions between who and what an individual with power, money and influence should look like. This might go over the heads of younger readers, but it’s so there! This really resonates with the 1% theme that is present in American politics.

Finally, the most detailed and confusing yet utterly fascinating concept of all is that of Dust. Scientifically, Dust consists of elementary particles that can’t be broken down into any simpler form. The Church is convinced that Dust is the source of sin, but it’s clear that Dust also has a part to play in the connection between a human and his or her daemon. Pullman’s description of just what Dust is remains confusing throughout the novel until the very end, and I’ve heard a lot of complaints about that. I think, however, this confusion only increases the mystery of the particles as readers are just as in the dark as main character Lyra is about Dust, and we only find out more concrete details about these particles when Lyra does.

While some people find it off-putting, I think it’s the intricate detail of Pullman’s world in "The Golden Compass" that makes Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy so unique. And despite whether or not we can grasp the concept of Dust, we’ve all wondered just what our daemon would be. (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for puppy or koala bear).

Reader reviewed by Nurin

In this book an orphan named Lyra and her daemon are sent to live with a very nice woman called MRS. Coulter. This lady has prmised Lyra that she will take her up North. However when Lyra and her daemon realize that Mrs. Coulter is just toying with them they run away and live with the gypsies. Since many of the gypsy children have been kidnapped as well as Lyra's friend Roger have been taken up North Lyra, with her growijng talent of reading a truth device, is allowed to go with them in order to bring back the children
This book is really good and everyone will love it.

Reader reviewed by Riney

The Golden Compass is the first book in the Dark Materials Triology, a great fantasy series!

The Golden Compass introduces the two main characters, Lyra and Will, both who live in Oxford, England, but in parallel worlds. Both have questions that need to be answered and both decide to go on to find the answers. Lyra, an orphan living with her uncle, is curious about this mysterious object called Dust. Will on the otherhand, is confused by his mother's actions and the disappearance of his father.

Together, the two set off to discover more than they ever thought.

Definetly read this book, and the whole triology!

Reader reviewed by Connie



Pullman has created a rich and vivid story about a girl named Lyra and a substance called dust. Lyra lives in a world is much like our own, except with the existence of daemons, which are physical embodiments of our soul in the form of animals. The first book in the trilogy introduces us to dust, and why so many people are eager to use it to their advantage. Full of mysteries and twists, this is a book that will keep you reading until the end.

Reader reviewed by Astonished

I was sorry it didnt go on and on-and pleased to see it was only book one, so that I have Two and Three to look forward to. It really is a completely absorbing fantasy, both because of he many-layered suspensful plot but-even more-because of the main character Lyra and her charming sidekick, who made me long for a personal daemon myself. An original and fascinating novel.

Reader reviewed by shorty

This book is the greatest book i have read yet. But Riney is confusing you. Will doesn't come in unitil the beginning of the second Book The Subtle Knife. Lyra and Roger are the main Characters in this book. But all in all this book was really cool. I had to look up a lot of words for it, but it was definately worth it.

It is rare for a genre YA book in recent years to wield language with the sensibility and virtuosity of the 19th century writers, but Pullman has that gift, as natural to him as water running downhill. Enter a world unlike any other, connect with the endearingly flawed and independent Lyra Bellaqua, and cheer for her as she battles against two of the most compelling villains of recent times - her own parents.

Reader reviewed by Carmen

Whew! Just when I thought I had read all of the good fantasy books...WHAM!!! Here comes this new, exciting trilogy! (His Dark Materials)
At first I couldn't get into this book. It was interesting...but not anything special. But as I read on and on, it morfed in to something more...Something so entoxicating that it made me want to read it forever! It is such an interesting change from the common magic stories of Harry Potter and Eragon, not to put those books down, they are still my all-time favorites! But this was just so...so...Well...you'll see!
Well done, Mr. Pullman!!!

Carmen
PS! Don't give up after the first couple of pages! Give it plenty of time. There is a lot that you won't understand at first but don't worry, because it is explained later!! Enjoy!