Genre/Subject: Fantasy/AdventureAges: 10 and up
Plot: The story is set in nineteenth century England and the world is different. In Pullman's world, humans are paired with daemons, or animal figures, which are extensions of the soul. Each animal, has a personality of their own that is different from the human they are connected with. A human is never without their daemon because their lives and destinies are intertwined. The main character Lyra Belacqua is eleven-years-old, an orphan, and she is learning at Jordan College, Oxford. Lyra and her daemon Pantailamon are educated by scholars. Lyra is very bored in the school, and she looks for adventure in every corner of the buiding. One night, her uncle Asriel comes to visit. After hiding in a wardrobe, to avoid being caught by scholars, she witnesses an attempt on her uncle Asriel's life. Lyra learns that there are strange happenings in the Artic North. A substance called "Dust" and an alternate universe is somehow connected within the Aurora Borealis, or Northern lights. Lyra is given a magic Golden Compas, and this is the keystone to an ancient prophecy. The Golden Compass is a truth telling device. This is Lyra's only guide on her journey. From the evil Mrs. Coultor to Gypsies, Lyra finds her adventure. She also finds that her friend Roger, has been kidnapped by the Gobblers, and she strives to save her uncle, while he history of her destiny is revealed.
Review: This story is a challenging read, for those tweens who enjoy a lenghty story. On a good note, the story is extremely engaging. This is an original fantasy story that will have readers following Lyra into more adventures. Readers will not know what to expect, because Lyra meets new characters frequently throughout the story. The pacing changes due to the extensive action, so readers will never get bored. Golden Compass is the first of three in the Dark Materials trilogy. A great mixture adventure and fantasy, vivid descriptions, as well.
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