Rating: 
Summary: And they call this a book.
Review: I THOUGHT IT WAS... What I want to say is not appropriate. I found Lyra most irritating and that Pantamillion(however you may spell that name) almost as. Lyra may have been a child, but I would hope she have at least SOME common sense. I should guess not. This book started my depression, believing that all books were terrible. I used to LOVE reading books before I read the Golden Compass. ARG. Luckilly about eight months after, I read Sabriel and that pulled me out of my anti-book mood.To help you understand, I made you a list of good things and bad things about this book. I think I'll start with the good things first. Good Things: It had a nice beginning. The plot confused you completely, but it was a good plot. The writing flair was excellant. He attempted to use original names and I gave him the other star for it. And the "disgusting bits" as some of the other reviewers called them were actually kinda nice. They added the flavor the book lacked. Bad Things: In a trilogy, you are supposed to tie up most strings, and leave maybe one or two open ones for the next book. HA! This left all of the strings open. Lyra was incompatent, ANNOYING, STUPID, POINTLESS, immature, and ignorant. Pantamillion did nothing to ease the flaws of his master. I won't bore you by going on. Final note: Unless you want to go through an anti book stage for a year or so till you find a good book, I DO NOT suggest this book. And I would like to join the EFAAAL.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!WOW!AND WOW!
Review: This book is one of the top books I've ever read. The Author painted a picture in your mind so clear, that it beats other great fantasy books, like The Hobbit, Harry Potter, and the unforgetable Narnia Series. I was drawn in by the first sentnence, for the author did the most clever thing. He did not say where Lyra was going, or why she was hiding herself from the surrounding people. Once this question was answered, another question arose. Why did the Master put poison in her uncle's glass of wine? Read the book to find out. However, don't get me wrong, this isn't the top book in the world. I still think that the books And Then There were none, and The 13th Platform, or The Westing Game are all a little bit better. Still, this book deserves lots of credit and the Newbrery Award.
Rating:
Summary: A Dazzling Book!
Review: I've read a lot of books and this is definitely the best. I've also read the Subtle Knife and I can't wait for the next Dark Materials book. If I were to recommend a book this book would be it! Philip Pullman expresses his uncommon beliefs but they're his and no one can take them away.You'll love this book I'm sure. (review by Jake Brown, age 9)
Rating:
Summary: fearless girl's amazing adventure
Review: i absolutely loved this book! its incredibly written and even if you don't really like science fiction, you'll still be able to become totally draw in.. the story is beautifully written and this first book starts one of those amazing stories of adventure that are just so huge and exciting and breathless that you forget that you aren't there. The girl Lyra is an awsome character, she is brave and fearless and sets the entire mood of the story!It has all the things that make you wish you were born in a different time and place.The best part of it is is that the author brings in all these ideas that are so cool, the whole story ties up magic and other worlds and all sorts of peopel and angels and dust.Its one of the most creative books i have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok but
Review: THIS BOOK IS OK BUT I AM HAVING A WICKED HARD TIMEUNDERSTANDING THE ENDING WITH ROGER AND THE DAEMONS. THE SETTING OF THE STORY IS REALLY GOOD. I THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO CATCH ON TO THINGS QUICKLY WOULD LIKE THIS BETTER
Rating: 
Summary: I only rated it one star so you would look at this review...
Review: I thought that this was a wonderful wonderful book, defiantly the best I have read (next to the Sublte Knife, of course). ANyone who says that the charecters are "childlike" are right...they ARE children, which makes these books so interesting. And, this book is defiantly not satanic....and even if it is against G-d, its okay for Philip Pullman to express his views.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book ever!
Review: I read this book in fifth grade and I have never read anything like it since. Absolutely spectacular! The book was beautifully written with characters, places, and details. When you read this book, you will be whisked away to a glorious world and leaves you thinking if it's real. A wonderful piece of work that will leave readers of all ages spellbound. I definitely recommend this book, and its sequal, The Subtle Knife, which is also very excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: Wow is about the only word I can use to describe this moving, wonderful book. I didn't expect much out of it, I thought it was just going to be another fantasy book. But boy, was I wrong! Although it takes a chapter or two to get really into it, once you're into it, you can't put it down! Lyra is a great main character who you really learn to like and admire, and as the book went on, I started to truely HATE the "bad guys" and to love the "good guys". I was so moved when I found out what the Gobblers were doing...my mouth dropped open in horror! All I can say is to read this book, trust me, you are really missing out on something if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: The ending does have a point!
Review: I have been reading the reviews that people have written, and I was surprised to see that many reviewers thought that the book was a waste because of the ending or that many things went unanwsered. The "His Dark Materials" trilogy was supposed to be "Paradise Lost" in 1,200 pages. The idea fell in to three parts, the Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. The end of The Golden Compass was a cliff hanger just to make room for the second part of the book, just like a second chapter. If you think too many questions were not anwsered, then I suggest you read The Subtle Knife.
Rating:
Summary: Child like? Not in the least.
Review: I have to tell you, when I saw that this book was classified as "young adult" I was fairly stunned. It's true that younger readers are able to enjoy this novel, but it is truly one that older readers can embrace as their own. I was sixteen when I was given "The Golden Compass" by my uncle, who thought I might enjoy it as much as he did. He couldn't have been more right. I finished this book in record time, mostly due to the fact I could not put it down. The world Pullman creates is very different from anything we know, yet he creates it in such a way that he leaves the reader wondering if such a place really does exist. The reader forgets, if for just that moment, that there is no real "magic" and that bears do not clad themselves in iron that falls from the sky. It sounds a bit strange, I know, but the way these things are presented leaves the reader with the feeling that perhaps a parallel world like this could exist somewhere. The plot is complex, to say the least, and as some of these negative reviews will tell you, does leave quite a few unanswered questions after its cliffhanger ending. Indeed, reading its sequel, "The Subtle Knife," left me even more confused as to who is good, who is bad, and what exactly are these people planning to do? Of course, if all questions were answered there would be no room for its conclusion, "The Amber Spyglass," which I am currently awaiting with much anticipation. Younger people are able to appreciate it too. I gave it to my thirteen year old sister to read and, like me, it quickly became her favorite book of all time. To me, this book is truly the definition of a masterpiece, one that nearly anyone can enjoy. You won't be disappointed.
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