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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
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:
Yes
I will try my best to summarise my feelings after reading this opener of the trilogy.
I didn't know about Philip Pullman or any of his books before I had to read this for one of my classes at school. Man, how did this not get any popularity on the international stage? One thing that I did while reading this was that I was consciously comparing this with the Harry Potter series - the one that shocked the world with 7 novels and 8 movies - and wondering things that might be its pitfall in terms of popularity.
Instead of a universe, I think Pullman focuses more on the story itself. The pace of the story is remarkably quick as there are but a few deliberate explanations on the background and the settings. Pullman has beautifully weaved the world and the story together. Of course, the downside of it is that you tend to get lost occasionally because there might not be a definitive explanation for a certain thing. Still, I think if one follows the story, what stands out more should be how grappling and perceptive it is rather than minor clarity issues.
Another thing is the content. I haven't read many fantasy/YA/Child Lit/adventure but I do think the content is a bit mature. Think of HP, which only becomes darker and bloodier at the fourth or fifth book, Northern Lights does not even try to sugar-coat. Kidnapping, murdering, slandering, bloodsheds, deaths, to name but a few. Lyra is unexpectedly mature. She doesn't sound like a normal little girl. But, similar to HP, she is not on her own, like Harry has his friends and teachers.
The plot twist that reveals the whole picture around the Dust thing is quite predictable but it doesn't make the book worse. In fact it ends in a nice spot where you will want to carrying on reading and finish the whole trilogy.
I didn't know about Philip Pullman or any of his books before I had to read this for one of my classes at school. Man, how did this not get any popularity on the international stage? One thing that I did while reading this was that I was consciously comparing this with the Harry Potter series - the one that shocked the world with 7 novels and 8 movies - and wondering things that might be its pitfall in terms of popularity.
Instead of a universe, I think Pullman focuses more on the story itself. The pace of the story is remarkably quick as there are but a few deliberate explanations on the background and the settings. Pullman has beautifully weaved the world and the story together. Of course, the downside of it is that you tend to get lost occasionally because there might not be a definitive explanation for a certain thing. Still, I think if one follows the story, what stands out more should be how grappling and perceptive it is rather than minor clarity issues.
Another thing is the content. I haven't read many fantasy/YA/Child Lit/adventure but I do think the content is a bit mature. Think of HP, which only becomes darker and bloodier at the fourth or fifth book, Northern Lights does not even try to sugar-coat. Kidnapping, murdering, slandering, bloodsheds, deaths, to name but a few. Lyra is unexpectedly mature. She doesn't sound like a normal little girl. But, similar to HP, she is not on her own, like Harry has his friends and teachers.
The plot twist that reveals the whole picture around the Dust thing is quite predictable but it doesn't make the book worse. In fact it ends in a nice spot where you will want to carrying on reading and finish the whole trilogy.
adventurous
challenging
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
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Reading preliminary to watching the HBO series with Lin Manuel-Miranda. I enjoyed this, though not as much as I enjoyedn Once Upon a Time in the North. This was more uneven. Possibly because so much longer. Very imaginative, though. I'd go 3.5 if that were an option.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the movie the Golden Compass as a kid, and honestly it’s probably still my favorite movie ever! This book definitely touches on the importance of agency and bravery!
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes