Reviews

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

moreilly1917's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

its_alex_stevenson's review against another edition

adventurous challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

linyarai's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

pixiebell_reads87's review against another edition

4.0

Haven't read this in years. Great story. Will take a break before going on to The Subtle Knife

ashtreereally's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.0

estherdb's review against another edition

4.0

At this point in the series, I feel like A LOT of backstory still needs to be unravelled. There is so much going on in this book: kidnappings, a magic "compass" (aka alethiometer), animalistic personifications of the soul walking right beside you (aka dæmons), Bear royalty issues that need to be solved, weird parental decision making (

Spoiler

And here I am looking at you, Lord "madcap" Asriel and Mrs "downright evil" Coulter.

), the Dust mystery, some talk of parallel universes (which I still don't quite get

Spoiler

, that bridge spanning two universes was the stuff LSD trips are made of

), and let's not forget about panserbjørne, witches, cliff-ghasts.

Don't get me wrong, I really loved reading this book - it was fun to be able to lose myself in a world full of wonder and magic -, but like I said, there was a lot going on! (Which, at the same time, doesn't leave you any time to get bored and makes you really want to continue reading.)
Looking forward to unravelling more info in the next instalment!

One thing thoug: Lyra - in my opinion - sometimes feels a little too rational and cunning for a 12-year-old. (Which sometimes got me saying "I'm not buying it" to myself.)

P.S.: who would not be intrigued by the idea of having a dæmon?! I have been thinking about what shape my dæmon would have settled in non-stop.
P.P.S.: all the religious shizzle and discussion surrounding this book? I don't see the issue. (Then again, I'm an atheist.)

minireader's review against another edition

5.0

So many twists and turns! Because it's like our world, but it isn't. I love this book!

katofalltrades's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Easy listen, fun adventure 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

courtneyh98's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

4.25

basic_lit_24's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0