Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This is an exciting, thought provoking book. Its style is suitable for adults as well as youths. Lyra is a remarkable protagonist, thrust into an adventure not of her own making, yet is smart and persistent enough to succeed in conquering one problem after another. Her companions, especially the bear Iorek Byrnison, are interesting in their own rights, although perhaps a bit too black-and-white. The universe is intriguing. The idea of daemons being a part of every human's existence is creative, but also a bit bewildering in its mechanics. We get some hints near the end of the book, but I suspect the big reveal won't happen until much later in the series. Aside from the daemons, this world is enough like our own to be quite recognizable, yet different enough so that we can still be surprised.
Another classic that was botched by Hollywood.
His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)are so well-written and can provide entertainment for kids (older) and adults alike. The Golden Compass really looks into the depths humans will go to get power. This book has a lot of religious undertones, but the deeper meanings are apparent, and can lead to a thought-provoking, intense read. Highly, highly recommended.
His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)are so well-written and can provide entertainment for kids (older) and adults alike. The Golden Compass really looks into the depths humans will go to get power. This book has a lot of religious undertones, but the deeper meanings are apparent, and can lead to a thought-provoking, intense read. Highly, highly recommended.
Here is my review of The Golden Compass:
https://raderofthebooks.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/the-golden-compass/
https://raderofthebooks.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/the-golden-compass/
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Much, MUCH better than the movie. I was pleasantly surprised!!
Strangely uninvolving.
I'm the first to admit I am a poor reader of S/F/F: far too linear a thinker to absorb the mores of a made-up world. I felt like Pullman never grounded me, chronologically or otherwise, in the world he was describing before moving on to another world. The history and hierarchy of the different factions were unclear to me and felt random. A shame, because his writing is beautifully descriptive. NB. Not that comforting to read a book set primarily in the Arctic Circle while you're enduring a miserable sub-zero cold snap in your own environment!
I'm the first to admit I am a poor reader of S/F/F: far too linear a thinker to absorb the mores of a made-up world. I felt like Pullman never grounded me, chronologically or otherwise, in the world he was describing before moving on to another world. The history and hierarchy of the different factions were unclear to me and felt random. A shame, because his writing is beautifully descriptive. NB. Not that comforting to read a book set primarily in the Arctic Circle while you're enduring a miserable sub-zero cold snap in your own environment!
not as slow as i remembered and so much better too. i love this world so muuuuuch and i can’t wait to read the next two again
4.5/5
Lovely YA fantasy about a winter world where everyone has a magical animal companion (a “demon”), the cold north and the aurora have a central influence on cosmic and spiritual events, and street urchins are snatched from British streets for insidious scientific experiments.
Like Harry Potter meets the Polar Express. I missed the, erm, train on reading this as a kid but I would have loved it.
I liked the early 20th century vibe of the setting— zeppelins flying around with machine guns and scientists investigating elementary particles at the same time that clans of “Tartars” and “Gyptians” (like fictionalized nautical Romani) shoot bows and arrows. Reminds me of the fact that there were calvary charges and horsehair helmets early in World War 1. The church also seems to have a large but waning impact on events. A collision of epochs.
A useful anti-institutionalist vibe to engage in at a time when I’m feeling very pro-institution. The scientists and grown ups don’t always know best.
The audiobook production is fantastic.
Lovely YA fantasy about a winter world where everyone has a magical animal companion (a “demon”), the cold north and the aurora have a central influence on cosmic and spiritual events, and street urchins are snatched from British streets for insidious scientific experiments.
Like Harry Potter meets the Polar Express. I missed the, erm, train on reading this as a kid but I would have loved it.
I liked the early 20th century vibe of the setting— zeppelins flying around with machine guns and scientists investigating elementary particles at the same time that clans of “Tartars” and “Gyptians” (like fictionalized nautical Romani) shoot bows and arrows. Reminds me of the fact that there were calvary charges and horsehair helmets early in World War 1. The church also seems to have a large but waning impact on events. A collision of epochs.
A useful anti-institutionalist vibe to engage in at a time when I’m feeling very pro-institution. The scientists and grown ups don’t always know best.
The audiobook production is fantastic.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I personally loved it. A lot of my love comes from nostalgia, but I genuinely really love the worldbuilding, the characters, the plot, and the settings.
It definitely felt less like a middle grade at times, with some brutal themes, but when I read it as a child I was okay with it so it depends on what your kids are fine with honestly and what you think they're ready for.
The writing was nice - slightly complex at times, but pretty and made it very easy to picture what was happening in my mind.
It definitely felt less like a middle grade at times, with some brutal themes, but when I read it as a child I was okay with it so it depends on what your kids are fine with honestly and what you think they're ready for.
The writing was nice - slightly complex at times, but pretty and made it very easy to picture what was happening in my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, War