Rating: 
Summary: This book is great!
Review: First off--I do not think this is completely a children's book. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it to ages under 11 or 12, because it can sometimes be confusing (on a young child's level) and I think it is better appreciated by older readers or adults. The book deals with a lot of dark themes; innocent children are sacrificed to horrible experiments in the name of science, the herione Lyra suffers unfair and sometimes devastating losses, grown-ups can be wicked--a bit scary for young children I imagine. However, this story is also filled with the wonder and mystery one would expect when entering another world. The world is strange to the reader (humans have their sould outside their bodies, in the form of animal companions called daemons) and yet familiar at the same time (there are still cars and electricity, many of the countries are the same, the language) so it doesn't seem too alien. The book is a little hard to get into at first, but once you do get into it, you'll be completely absorbed in Lyra's quest to save her best friend and other kids who have fallen victim to the child-stealing "gobblers". The characters are enthralling: intelligent, headstrong Lyra, the charming daemons, the mysterious and wise witches, the kind gyptian people, fierce and majestic Iorek Byrinson the Armored Bear (bears share many human characteristics in the story), beautiful yet evil Mrs. Coulter, etc. etc. For a while the book seems like just another fantasy story--an interesting, good one at that--but toward the end it becomes clear that there is much more to what began as an innocent enough adventure. Because Lyra has a great destiny, and a great war in heaven might well be approaching...this becomes even clearer in the sequel, "The Subtle Knife". The "His Dark Materials" series is an epic-scale fantasy that I have a feeling will definitely shock some people. "The Golden Compass" is highly original, amazing, intensely emotional, and will leave you on the edge of your seat after completing it. I just have one question in my mind: Why the heck do people keep comparing this book to Harry Potter? They are absolutely NOTHING alike. This book is way more sci-fi than Harry, the themes are different, and "The Golden Compass" certainly doesn't place the emphasis that the Potter series does on comic relief. They really don't have many elements in common, though I recommend both. In short, if you are looking for something original and dazzling to read, this is my advice to you: stop reading this and buy "The Golden Compass"!
Rating:
Summary: WHOHOOO!
Review: Oh my goodness. . . I loved this book.Every word kept me breathless, I clung onto everything said. This is one of those fantastic books where you never want to stop reading. I await The Amber Spyglass, the third, and last book in His Dark Materials saga. Exquisitly written, fantastically suspenseful, this novel is a definate read for every family. In an alternate Demension, Lyra, a young girl suddenly finds herself the key to a war, and a mysterious disapearing of children all over. This exquisit novel makes an incredible addition to the family library. I suggest it for 10+ children, but, an 8 year old could read it. Be warned: it can be confusing. But it is definatly worth reading. Action packed, suspenseful, and a sure-pleaser every time you read.
Rating:
Summary: Blows Harry Potter out of the water
Review: Now, I like Harry Potter but this book is incomparable. The world is so fascinating and intriguing, the characters so distinctive and original, so sinister and endearing, the emotions I feel when I read (and re-read it) so intense...I don't know what else to say. The book is truly a wonder.
Rating: 
Summary: To read or not to Read
Review: Not being a fan of fantasy books, I bought this book because it was on the reading list for a college course that I am taking. Even though the story was unbelievable,the author skillfully inserted enough scientific theory and religious historical background to make me want to continue reading to see just how he would write his way out of the situation. I am still not a fan of fantasy. Now, the decision is,"Do I buy the second and third books planned for the series?" How will Pullman move the reader from the fantasy universe to our universe and then have the action move between the two worlds? The author does score as he uses a strong female character. However, I find that the book borders on sacrilege. The less experienced young adult reader would probably not pick up on that facet of the book, instead concentrating on the action.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: This book was absolutley amazing! i was asigned to read it as a project for school. at first, i didnt want to. my way of thinking was "oh... fantasies are so dumb! they're for little kids!" after i got to the third chapter or so i was HOOKED! i ended up reading the book and handing in my project 2 weeks before it was due! after i was done w/ this i immediately went to the library and checked out "Ruby in the Smoke", "tiger in the Well", "shadow in the North", and "The Subtle Knife" al by Philip Pullman. evry last one was wonder ful and worth the cost of late fees! now i cant wait til "The Amber Spyglass" comes out! lesson learned: always be open minded!
Rating:
Summary: you think it's bad?
Review: if you think this book is bad think this book is bad you are carzy. i read it because the 7th graders at my school read it. i loved listining to the athor reading it and the other people did a great job.
Rating:
Summary: blows harry potter out of the water
Review: this is the best childrens' book series i know of that's coming out at the moment. it amazes me to see the harry potter books getting so much more attention than these: this series is so, so, so much better. this is not to say that the harry books are bad, just that these are wonderful. these are imaginative, fantastical, dark, epic books that have the power to grab a reader of any age. i recommend them to readers who have enjoyed the narnia books, the dark is rising books, fairy tales, or the weetzie bat books.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful book
Review: I know, beautiful isn't a word usually used when describing a book, but this book is. The plot, the writing style, the characters-I could happily go on praising this book for a few years. The plot looks fairly simple at first: Girl and boy are friends. Boy gets kidnapped by the Gobblers. Girl goes looking for boy, taking a magical artifact along with her. Girl gets caught. Girl lands in the middle of major theological/political intrigue. O.K., maybe it doesn't look simple. But it is so well written, so well done, that it yanked me in, wrestled me to the ground, and refused to let me go to sleep 'til 3 AM, when I finally finished it. And as for the characters, let me put it like this: Mr. Pullman, where are you hiding these people? From Lyra to the boy who lost his Ratter, they felt real. All in all, a beautiful book
Rating:
Summary: AMAZINGLY ORIGINAL
Review: I usually like to compare a book with others of the same type, but I can't think of a single one that's anything like The Golden Compass. This book has more original plot devices than a dozen average books put together. Pullman has created a world that's sort of like ours, but with some incredible differences. I won't rehash the plot, but I will tell you that Pullman actually invents a new sin, one that isn't possible in our world, and makes you feel disgust for it. Many reviews are describing this as a "young adult" book, which I think may unfairly discourage lots of folks from reading it. It's just as adult as any other book I have read; it merely happens to feature a young girl as the main character. If you're looking for a fantasy that avoids all the cliches of the genre, you've got to read this one!
Rating:
Summary: A great original book!
Review: The Golden Compass is the most original fantasy book to come along since The Hobbit. This book fallows the adventures of Lyra, who for all of her toughness does not know exactly what she is getting herself into. Great characters and without a second thought the most creative world and magic to come along in a long time. The Golden Compass is a world like and unlike our own. The differences and similarities are intriguing. I highly suggest this great book and it's sequels. However, do not read The Subtle Knife until the third book in the trilogy is published, you will be waiting with bated breath if you do.
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