The Golden Compass

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Summary: And now for something different
Review: If you're tired of the fantasy novels that don't seem to be able to leave Tolken behind, then brace yourself. This book is the start of something wonderfully different in the fantasy genre. This epic story has it all, magic, evil, goodness, innocence, and action. I was astounded at the intricate plot, wonderful imagery, and completely unique style. Hold on as you race through this one, because once you start you won't be able to put it down until you've read all three.

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Summary: The Golden Compass
Review: Lyra lives among the scholars at Jordan collage. She is always looking for adventures. But her greatest adventure starts when she listens to a secret conversation between some scholars and, her uncle, Lord Asriel about Dust, a microscopic particle with amazing power and only exists in the north. Soon after that children start to disappear all over the country. Once Lyra's friend Roger disappears she sets off to find him. To do so she enlists the help of gyptians, armored bears, and witches so she can get north. But will it be enough to free the missing kids.
Soon after starting this book I was completely immersed in this world and could not stop reading. The story is so well put together that this world becomes real and me a part of it.
As the plot thickens Lyra is moving towards her destiny and me with her. Every landscape and character is perfectly woven in to the story. This world equals its self to the greatness of the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien. This is a must read for anyone. This book will be a classic forever.

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Summary: A great read!! A great set-up for an adventure!!
Review: The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials-Book I by Phillip Pullman, was a book presented to our class College English class reward for a semester of literature that would be considered far from ordinary. I thought that because it was supposed to be so different from our other assignments this year (Geometric Regional Novel, No Saints or Angels, Search for M) that it would be a typical coming of age story about a girl in early 19th century England. A mildly disengaging novel, nothing but your average vacation book. However as with the theme of our class, it turned out to be anything but ordinary.
The main character Lyra, quickly hooks the reader with her quirky, tomboyish charms and shenanigans. The tales of her escapades told through the narration of a child are deliciously vivid and convincing. The idea that all humans have a life long, external companion in the form of an animal is wonderful. The daemons allow for the reader to see the feeling of the characters more vividly than if these "soul creatures" were internal.
The changing of the daemon when the human is a child and it's stabilization as the human reaches adulthood is a precise metaphor for adolescence. The situation where the daemon takes an active role in the activity was a brilliant way for the author to verbalize the conflict of conscience and inner dialogue for the reader.
The conflict with the authorities, of which there are many in the novel, is easily relatable to our own reality. The conflict with the church is central to the novel and the Lyra's spirituality. Her confusion concerning her own identity and the insights given to the audience as to the girl's destiny creates an exciting suspense that will drive many readers, including myself to read on in this saga. The ending of the story is a cliff hanger, but all will be well as soon as I can get a hold of Pullmans next book The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials -Book II .

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Summary: Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
Review: THE WHOLE SERIES is full of colorful characters, comming of age, action, romance, and a BRILLIANT storyline.

WARNING!!! This trilogy may offend christians. But trust me, its not too bad. The author's main goal was NOT to put down christianity, but to express how life should be lived honorably and to the fullest. The main character Lyra is a caring, trustworthy, stong, and loving girl who's actions are very "christian" in value. Only the most gullible of christians would be influenced to abandon their religion after reading this story. I dont recommend this trilogy to the close-minded!

This trilogy has and will continue to make a great impact on readers (IN A POSTITIVE WAY). The story of young love may jerk a few tears (as it did mine). Besides "Of Mice and Men" (when george has to shoot lenny) this was the only book that made me cry. This story makes ou ponder abot life also. i first read this book during some "dark times". it made me realize that life is to be lived to the fullest and cherished. we only have a short time to live, so we might as well make it memorable.

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Summary: A Wonderful Fantasy To Lose Youself In
Review: Wondering what magical world to enter into while waiting on the next Harry Potter book? Look no further, Lyra Belacqua has arrived.The heroine of Philip Pullman's intricate and bewitching trilogy that begins with "...Compass", is a young girl living among the scholars at Jordan College in England. Her parents, who had died when she was a baby, had left her in the care of her Uncle, Lord Asriel.

Like any great hero or heroine she is a child "who has a great destiny that can only be fulfilled elsewhere-not in this world, but far beyond. Without this child, we shall all die. So the witches say. But she must fulfill this destiny in ignorance of what she is doing, because only in her ignorance will we be saved." So says one character to another.

Her destiny begins to be realized with her Uncle's return from the North where he speaks of mysterious things going on. At the same time children begin to disappear, and the rumors of what is happening to them isn't nearly as horrifying as the reality.Accompanied by her trusty daemon,(an animal companion that seems representative of the soul), a colorful cast of characters, and a great warrior Polar Bear named Iorek, Lyra sets off on an unforgettable adventure.

Personally, I found the first seventy pages or so a little slow going as the plot is set up, and the reading level is slightly more demanding than the Potter books. However, once the action begins to really motor along, it's a hard book to put down, and one adults and children will love equally.