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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I first read this book when I was a kid but I never finished the series so I decided to reread the books on audiobook and I am so glad I did! I love this book and it made me feel so nostalgic
I loved this book as a kid, and it still has value to me as I get older.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s been years since I first read this, and revisiting it as I became older - this time via audiobook -only deepened my admiration. If anything, it’s even better now. I was an adult already (in my 20s) when I first read it, so I thought I understood most of characters, intentions and etc. but there are so many things you re-discover as you grow older. This is a novel that truly ages like wine.
What struck me most on this reread was how layered and mature it is beneath its surface as a children’s fantasy. The philosophical undertones, the subtle emotional cues, the tension between childhood innocence and casual cruelty, the quiet grief of adult ambition and regret - it’s all there, only now I see it more with a touch of bittersweet sorrow. Much of it would pass over a younger reader’s head, but that only makes it richer over time. It rewards return.
The audiobook is exceptional. The performances breathe new life into the characters, and I have to confess: Lord Asriel remains as magnetically dangerous as I remembered. That clipped, commanding voice reignited my crush. Evil? Perhaps. But absolutely my kind of evil.
I can't wait to move on to the second book - which used to be my favourite in the series.
What struck me most on this reread was how layered and mature it is beneath its surface as a children’s fantasy. The philosophical undertones, the subtle emotional cues, the tension between childhood innocence and casual cruelty, the quiet grief of adult ambition and regret - it’s all there, only now I see it more with a touch of bittersweet sorrow. Much of it would pass over a younger reader’s head, but that only makes it richer over time. It rewards return.
The audiobook is exceptional. The performances breathe new life into the characters, and I have to confess: Lord Asriel remains as magnetically dangerous as I remembered. That clipped, commanding voice reignited my crush. Evil? Perhaps. But absolutely my kind of evil.
I can't wait to move on to the second book - which used to be my favourite in the series.
It had been ages since I read it and I remembered basically nothing but it held up very well even though I am no longer 11! Can't wait to continue the trilogy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first! I watched the film ‘The Golden Compass’ and must admit the film was terrible and did not do this book justice. Gets a little bit religious towards the end but still a great story. Look forward to seeing how it pans out in the next two instalments.