Rating: 
Summary: "A book no one should miss"
Review: Publisher's Weekly calls it "breathtaking." Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of Shannara, says "...This is a book no one should miss." And I agree entirely.
The heroine of The Golden Compass is Lyra, a half-civilized girl who wild in the streets of Oxford. And not just the streets -- she clambers over the rooftops of Jordan College as well. Lyra was raised in Oxford by the Scholars of Jordan College, and while this might make her sound like an inaccessible heroine, she's suprisingly real.
Despite her prestigious home(she lives in a room on the top of Staircase Twelve in the back quad at Jordan), Lyra spends her time playing with her friends in the streets. She's far from perfect -- she forgets things, does not-so-smart things, and, despite her seeming bravery, she's afraid of night-ghasts. She doesn't have to go to school even though she's eleven, but on a few occasions a Scholar would be instructed to catch Lyra and teach her about something. Those lessons usually lasted about a week or so -- until Lyra "forgot" to show up.
And sometimes the Scholar, being human, would forget what he was supposed to teach her, and instead tell her about the subject of his current research. So her knowledge was filled with holes; she knew about elementary particles and atoms, but nothing about the solar system.
However, most of her time was spent in the mire of politics, alliances, and feuds that were everyday life for Oxford children. With the children of Jordan servants and young servants, she waged war on the children of other colleges. Yet all enmities between colleges were forgotten when they attacked the town children, an ancient rivalry.
But even that was forgotten when collegers and townies alike banded together to attack the brickburner's children and the gyptians. In fact, once Lyra and some of her friends captured a gyptian's narrowboat and nearly sailed it to Abingdon.
Lyra also loved to climb the rooftops with her friend, Roger, the kitchen boy. They could get nearly everywhere; in fact, they could get everywhere expect Sheldon Building.
The other place they explored was the cellars of Jordan. Beneath the college buildings was a labyrinth of wine cellars and crypts simply awaiting discovery by two curious children.
Roger was not Lyra's only companion, however. Lyra's world, Lyra's Oxford, Lyra's Jordan, all are not part of this universe. She lives in a parallel universe where people can talk to their dæmons -- or their conscience, as we call that part of ourselves here. So Lyra's other companion was her Pantalaimon, her Pan, her beloved dæmon.
Thus did the life of Lyra Belaqua run, until the Gobblers came.
Children began to disappear. This didn't affect Lyra's life much, except as a source of inspiration for games.
But then one day the Gobblers came to Oxford. Several children disappeared, vanished mysteriously in plain daylight. And it didn't take Lyra long to realize that....
She hadn't seen Roger all day!
Frantic, she began to search all over for him, to no avail. Being surrounded by adults, when she was told to the Master of Jordan College wanted her to be at a dinner party that night, she had no choice but to attend. There she met the beautiful Mrs. Coulter, whose wondrous tales of the North fascinated her.
After the dinner party, the Master told Lyra that she was going to live with none other than the fabulous Mrs. Coulter herself. Lyra was overjoyed.
But the next morning, the Master wanted to speak with her -- at an extremely early hour. He gave her a black velvet pouch with something inside: an alethiometer, an antique golden instrument that resembles a compass, with instructions to keep it secret from Mrs. Coulter and a half-finished sentence about Lord Asriel, her uncle. Lyra complies and keeps it safe, but wonders why the Master is being so secretive.
As Lyra begins her travels to the place that will bring an end to destiny, her story -- the story of a determined girl -- is told in brilliant prose. It begins in Oxford ..... it will end in another universe.
Philip Pullman's lyrically told novel will captivate you, leave you wishing for more and, on the last page, have you asking yourself: "This en't the end already?"
Rating:
Summary: The Brave Little Girl
Review: Lyra Belacqua, along with her daemon Pantalaimon were content living amongst the scholars of Jordan College. They spent their days playing with Roger and the gyptian children. That all changed when children began missing after Lord Asriel came to town speaking of the north, dust, and of other worlds. Lyra is drawn into the adventure to the north along with the gyptians, armored bears, and witches. With the help of the alethiometer (a truth telling device) she saves the children from a procedure certain to end their lives.
The Golden Compass is an intriguing fantasy book that coninuously reveals information, holding the reader in a state of suspense. Lyra is a character that you can't help but fall in love with. Her free spirit and brave nature are so real you nearly feel the danger and happiness as she feels it.
This story is even harder to believe because neither Lyra's mother nor father cared for her in a parental way; they didn't show Lyra any feeling of love. "You're my father, en't you?" "Yes. So what?" "So you should have told me before, that's what." (p.367)
This is without a doubt the best fantasy/adventure book i have read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the thrill of suspense and action. The Golden Compass is an enjoyable and origional book. It is well written and has many layers full of suspense that will keep you guessing. This is a book that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: Startling Book
Review: One day while sitting in my room it dawned on me that the author of the Tin Princess (one of my favorite books) was written by a guy who had wrote the Golden Compass. I started reading it and found the story intresting.
Lyra is an average child (bit spoiled if you ask me) but then she snuck into a room and watched a presentation by Lord Asirel (first she saved his life) and finds out about dust. Then the master of Jordan college gives her the goldan compass. Her dearest friend is kidnapped and she sets out to save him escaping her mother, police, amorerd bears, and a pile of other things. The golden compass allows her to read the truth and soon is in the middle of an adventure far from Oxford.
I really enjoyed this book and I think so will most people. It is the first book in a well written trilogy. You should also read Phillip Pullman's other books because they are just as good if not better. This book is good for ages 10 and up.
Rating: 
Summary: great beginning, fantastic middle, dwindling end
Review: The Golden Compass is a story if Lyra Belacqua, whose destiny doesn't lie in her present world but in a place entirely different from what she has known. While Philip Pullman is a master for his play of words and fantastic imagery, the ending of The Golden Compass proves to be anti-climactic. There were many great and exciting scenes in The Golden Compass, filled with interesting characters but, sad to say, I feel the book went downhill towards the end. Discussions about theology suddenly appeared, matched with a small love story, which readers may be left wondering where did these come from.
Rating: 
Summary: a good start...
Review: this is unlike any fantasy i've ever read before. most fantasies have a specific time period (medieval, or sci-fi), even if they are alternative realities in our own world. the thing about this book is that pullman never bothers to explain what his world is all about. It is geographically our own earth, yet the political atmposphere and the names for countries, races, regions and even stuff like electricity (which is called anbaric force) are all different. I think what makes people like or hate this book is as simple as their reaction to pullman's unforgiving style of narrating as though this is a familiar world to us all, with not even a page of explanation as to what this universe is all about, or precisely what daemons are. I found it irritating yet admirable at the same time. While i was impatient that i could only learn about this world slowly and subtly, i was impressed by this very subtlety. For example, the first time the word 'anbaric' came up, I had no idea what it meant. Yet, Pullman used it again and again very strategically so as to leave no doubt that it referred to electricity. Similarly, the new moniker for gypsies (gyptians) was subtly expressed. A minor fault with the book is its characters. Lyra is far too bright to be realistic. The trouble is she's not the Artemis-Fowl-type bright either. She's a street child who can just understand in one blink complicated and subjective concepts like 'original sin' that I had to read twice to take in. She has a mind like an adult, yet the constitution of a child. Also, I felt pullman didn't delve deeply enough into some of his other characters such as the witches or Iorek Byrnison. Otherwise, this book is a good read, with a very good plot and satisfying, yet suspenseful, ending. A caution though; this book can be very dark in some places and may not be appropriate for very young children.
Rating:
Summary: Get over it people!
Review: First off, I want to say something to all the people who disagree with me. GET OVER IT! Books aren't always supposed to agree with religion, so don't take it personally. I don't agree with a lot of convictions in books sometimes, but who doesn't? That's the magic of reading fantasy and sci-fi novels! If they offend you, PUT THEM DOWN!!! It's not that hard! But like me, even if you don't agree with some of the ideas, most of the time the book is outstanding anyway! I respect your opinions, and if you want to debate me, catch me on AIM at Groovy70sChic42. I'll be glad to share my point of view with you. Secondly, I just want to say that The Golden Compass and the Subtle Knife (I still have to get around to reading the Amber Spyglass, but I hear it's the best!) are the most original novels I have ever read, and I've read a lot of novels. The way that Philip Pullman leaves you hanging and aching for more at the end of each book is amazing, and I feel a need to read on. When I put the book down for a day I think, "Where does he come up with these ideas? How many people would be so original in their writing?" I think these books can put even Harry Potter to shame.
Rating:
Summary: It was okay
Review: This book is good. The story is good and the writing style certainly captivates you. However, I give this book 4 stars as I see it is targeted for young adults. This is NOT a book for young adults. Maybe 16 years and up, sure. But anyone younger than that, no way. This book is super dark and although I haven't read the entire trilogy, I hear it gets even darker. I would not recommend this for children. There are some graphic moments in the book and the issues it deals with are much too complicated and twisted for younger readers.
Rating:
Summary: What a unique story!
Review: The Golden Compass is a book that I thought I wasn't going to finish. Then suddenly, I realized that it was growing and growing on me until I was to the point that I couldn't stop reading. I am glad that I stuck it out because this ended up being a teriffic book. It is set in an interesting world with complex characters and exciting action. I will not go into detail, but I will say that Iorek is the baddest bear ever. Literarily, it is a step up from most fantasy aimed at children 9-12 years old, and it is way better than the Chronicles of Narnia. I look forward to finishing the series, but I will wait about a month before I dive into number 2, because I like to spread my attention around. But the Golden Compass is just that, golden.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful. What more could I say?
Review: This is quite possibly the best book that Phillip Pullman has ever written! Set in the plot of parallel world, witch clans, the Magesterium, and wickedness concealled behind every sweet-sounding lie, this is a most excellent adventure and fantasy!
Lyra Belacqua, the daughter of Lord Asriel, lives wild on the roofs of Jordon College, located in Oxford of a parallel world. Her life suddenly changes when due to the influence of a wonderful (or is she???) woman, Lyra must live in the heart of London. Life with this woman seems wonderful until she discovers the heart of an evil plan that involves the kidnapping and spiritual torture of innocent children.
Escaping from the flat, Lyra stumbles into the hands of a band of gyptians, who agree to help her and take her to the North, where there were possible sightings of these missing children. Helped or hindered along the way by Tartars, witches, armoured bears, and agents of the Church, Lyra discovers the true meaning behind this plot: To eliminate all human awareness from the world. Yet another plot exists, and it is for the opposite. Can Lyra help the good side in time? Or will she be doomed to share the fate of the other children??? Find out for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: An alternate world filled with daemons and bears
Review: Imagine a world where one's soul is shared with a daemon. These creatures appear in animal form, changing often when young, taking a permanent form following puberty. In The Golden Compass, the reader first meets Lyra Belacque, a 12-year-old girl, and her daemon Pantalaimon, who live in Jordan College. Not as one of the students, but as a ward of the school. So it seems. Her only relative, Uncle Lord Asriel, visits occasionally. At these times, he generally criticizes her for not behaving in the manner she should. However, when the story opens, Lord Asriel is visiting the college for an entirely different reason, one that triggers the adventures on which she is launched. Accustomed to having nearly perfect freedom, roaming the city with some children, warring with others, she suddenly finds herself taken away to London by Mrs. Coulter. Her new responsibilities include assisting the older woman, in what Lyra does not know. But during a party, she discovers that Mrs. Coulter is associated with the Gobblers, people who snatch children from the streets, for what purpose, no one knows. She runs away into the night, not knowing where to go. A group of Gyptians find her and protect her. They know more about her past and her future than she does herself. Their way leads north where Lord Asriel is himself a prisoner, guarded by polar bears. Before leaving Jordan College, Lyra was given a strange instrument resembling a compass. Over time, she learns its purpose and how to use it. With this, the friendship of a bear, and the help of the Gyptians, Lyra seeks out the missing children and her uncle. This is the first of the "His Dark Materials" series. Read it and start on a new adventure.
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