Rating: 
Summary: A great, compelling read
Review: I am currently almost a freshman, but this past year it was my divine pleasure to read Philip pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, especially the first entry, being The Golden Compass. The subject matter may dissuade some, as I have witnessed first hand, but the people who actually sit down and read it are in for an incredible story. Pullman is a master of language and while his novels may be confusing at some points, the overall satisfaction of reading his tales could be compared to biting into a chocolate cake. The series is so smooth and occasionally bittersweet, the reader is drawn onward, if only to discover what happens next. Each page provides another masterpiece of writing; when the page is turned a whole new fixation starts to drip from the reader's eyes, as it is difficult to keep them open for more than several hours. Those who take the time to sit through this book,(and the following two)are the fortunate. Never have I read a more lush and entricate, serene, yet torn novel. I recommend it to any that are wiling to read it. To those who judge it by it's cover, then what a shame. For this is not just a fantasy novel; this is a work of literature that should rank among the prestige books on anyone's list.
Rating:
Summary: An awsum imaginative book that takes You on an adventure
Review: This book is very good! Almost every second is filled with an exiting moment. It is about a girl named Lyra who travles to the north somehow(which you'll soon find out how)and meets many different friends and enemies. For example,armored bears,Gobblers, and witches. Her uncle Asriel has introduced her to Dust(not our type)which she is trying to find the mystery of. She is finally coming to a conclusion about herself and figuring out her questions.Read the book to find out about Lyra's stunning adventure!
Rating:
Summary: Not as Gripping as Harry Potter, but still a five star read
Review: Harry Potter got me into this genre, so when I heard that this book was like it, I picked it up. I liked it instantly. It has so many brilliant, original ideas, like daemons and, my personal favorate, the armored bears. Like the title says, it is not as gripping as Harry Potter (when I was reading the Harry Potter books I couldn't put them down and would read 200-300 pages/day, and my tops with this was 40 or 50), but it is still a great book, and the pages are longer and have more words then Harry Potter. It is darker then Harry Potter, and probably wouldn't go over to well with the younger crowd - those of them who would understand it, that is, because it really challenges the mind, in a good way. Some things are never completely/clearly explained (though they may be in one of the other two books of the trilogy which I have not yet read) but through the writing you still get a pretty good idea of what they are. It also has a lot of plot twists, that fill in gaps, answer questions and create new ones. The last two chapters caught me completely off guard, and it ends with a beginning, so I am very eager to read the next book. With great writing, a wonderful array of characters, and a brilliant plot, I recommend this book to all seeking a good read (though, once again, it may be too much for the younger crowd).
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever!
Review: This book is not just for young adults, it's for adults too. Philip Pullman doesn't patronise his young adult readers by assuming they are stupid, he writes an intelligent and amazing thought-provoking work. This is most deffinately one of my favourites. In my opinion, Pullman equals even Tolkien himself. I've read this book many times since I was first recommended it by a friend a few years ago, and have gone on to read the next 2 books in this trilogy. If you haven't read this book before, I highly recommend it, it really is fantastic!
Rating:
Summary: §¤§ AN AMAZING BOOK §¤§
Review: §¤§ This is one of the BEST BOOKS EVER!!! I would give this book 10000½ stars if I could, but I can't so it's just five. this was one of the best books I've ever read!!! Of couse before I read it the only thing that I had ever read was Narnia books, and Nancy Drew, and really wanted something better to read. I went to a ½price book store with my mom, and picked out THE GOLDEN COMPASS and THE SUBTLE KNIFE. at the time I had just picked them because they had an interesting cover, but once I started reading them I realized that they were much more than just a pretty cover. I admit there were a few chapters that were a little slowand boring but they were mostly at the begining. I think the only reason that they were slow was because I was impatient and couldn't wait to read the next part. §¤§§¤§ Lots of people are comparing this book to Harry Potter, and I must say when I read this book Harry potter wasn't famous yet and a few mounths later when I read the Potter book it didn't make me think about the Golden Compass at all. The two books have nothing to do with each other. I mean one is about a journey though others worlds where people are facsinated by something called DUST, and the other is about witches and wizards, I really have know idea why they are being compared. §¤§ §¤§ Both books are interesting and exciting in there own way. but anyways HIS DARK MATERIALS IS AN INTENSE TRILOGY THAT I BELIEVE IS REALLY WORTH YOUR TIME, that is of couse if you like reading and scifi fantasy things. §¤§
Rating:
Summary: This is a superb book
Review: The Golden Compass is a fabulous book. It is vividly discribed as Lyra begins to realize just how important she is to the world. Along the way to this discovery Lyra encounters Gobblers, witches (good and bad), armored bears, helps stolen children from losing their spirits (daemon familiars), and figures out who her parents really are. Philip Pullman expresses how brave one child can be in a stunning conclusion to this book. The Golden Compass kept me on the edge of my seat, I just couldn't put it down. The end kept me wanting for more which I got when the sequel, The Subtle Knife, came out.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tale
Review: The Golden Compass tells the story of Lyra, a young, wild girl in a world quite different than our own. She has grown up virtually parentless in the basically safe world of Jordan College in Oxford. Safe until mysterious Gobblers start making children disappear. From gypsies and armored bears to Dust and daemons, the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy spins a beautiful story, making you anxious for the next two. This stunning fantasy book is among the best I've ever read.
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Summary: THIS IS THE ULTIMATE FANTASY BOOK! A MUST READ BOOK!
Review: This book was unbelieveable to me. I was truly astonished when I read this book. I am reading the second book right now (THE SUBTLE KNIFE). This book is with no doubt a must read! If you have read THE DARK IS RISING RISING SEQUENCE (which are all great) you will love this book. This was my favorite book I have everread. THIS IS VERY GREATLY RECOMENDED BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing!
Review: The Golden Compass is a work of astounding imagination wrapped in even better storytelling. Pullman draws you into a fantastic world of heroic beauty and heartless cruelty as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Some have compared the work to Tolkien's trilogy, but whereas Tolkien leads you to believe in the lush reality of his world, Pullman makes you FEEL every glorious victory and crushing defeat viscerally, as if you were there. Intrigue, betrayal, heroic figures, despicable evil -- Pullman pulls no punches from start to finish; this book is as engrossing as it is emotionally exhausting. I have never grown to admire (or hate) fictional characters as much as the ones that I met in this book.
Rating:
Summary: READ THIS NOW
Review: I could go on and on about this wonderful book forever, but to spare anyone who has not yet read it and is thinking of reading "The Golden Compass", I whole heartedly implore you to pick it up and start reading before you waste another moment, because I can assure you you will be unable to stop. This book is sublime. Lyra, the heroine, is everything I have ever dreamed of. I love the Alanna series, Ella Enchanted, and heroines of the like, but Lyra, without a doubt, is up there among the most real because her short comings and strengths are so utterly human that I cannot help but wonder at the brilliance of Mr. Pullman's analytical skills. Pantalaimon, her Daemaon (or animal counterpart) is equally humorous and endearing. Iorek Byrnison, an armored bear living in exile is strong and rough yet utterly loveable, as are Lord Faa, Ma Costa, Farder Coram, Serafina Pekkala, and the like. Mrs. Coulter, the beautiful and intelligent leader of the General Oblation Board, and Lyra's uncle Lord Asriel are strong and dark to match any villains- but are they good are evil? Mr. Pullman shapes such complex figures it is hard to say. Once again, I marvel at Mr. Pullman's literary abilities. As an avid reader and long time lover of children's books (I am 13 and female), I consider myself lucky to have come across Mr. Pullman. Harry Potter and Lyra Belacqua in the same decade? We, the reading public, are blessed. From page one, Mr. Pullman takes his reader on a wild ride, with a climax in every chapter, and adventure and tricks around every bend. The suspense and surprise cease to end, and the prose are so beatiful and descriptive that I felt overwhelmed with the power of the Aurora, just as Lyra was, and pictured myself beside her, scrambling along the roofs of distinguished Jordan College. As Lyra edged her way North, I grew intoxicated with the power of Mr. Pullman's story telling, and fortunately, "The Subtle Knife" now awaits me in my bedroom to make sure I never awake from my blissful dream. If you love adventure, bursting imagination, fantasy, robust characters and incredible prose, I implore you once more to run to the nearest copy of "A Golden Compass" and dive in.
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