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Book Review of The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Bk 1)

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Bk 1)
Leigh avatar reviewed on + 378 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This was an intelligently-written book with adventure, suspense, love, and sinister deeds. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot served dual purposes, one cursory (adventure) and one deep (Church suppression of knowledge); I respected both of them and found myself enthralled with the story, itself.

My favorite parts involved the Armoured Bears, who I adored, with their dedication and loyalty and honor. Pullman was very inventive in how he discussed ordinarily-known creatures in different ways - witches, bears, etc. Pullman's language and naming of things reminded me of Neal Stephenson.

I will definitely read the next two books, as I feel compelled to follow little Lyra on her journey. I'd previously seen the movie, but this book was so much better.