This is So very good.... the character are wonderful, in both there likanbility and there dislikability. that said the characters are complex, and not black and white in terms of their motivations and actions. this book has great depth. loved every page

This book gave me the chills! I could not put it down. I am 13 years old an books like this amaze me. I read lots and have since grade 4. This book has been for sure one of the top three books I have ever read! Now that is a great complement considering that I have read all the books from the Dragon Riders of Pern series, many series from the author Mercedes Lackey and these are no small books. The character of Lera, pulls you right into the story and tends to, like to hold on to you. The suspence in some parts leaves you feeling like you are hanging over a cliff and your heart seems to skip a beat!

I have to say, this book is one NOT to be overlooked! Once you start reading it, you become a part of young Lyra's world, and you can imagine everything that is going on. You will have much trouble putting it down, and even dissapointed when the book ends-but not to worry, The Subtle Knife is just as great! I can't wait to read the third book: The Amber Spyglass. You've gotta read these books! (I liked them even better than Harry Potter, which I did indeed enjoy!)

The book starts out with a bang and keeps riding the bullet to keep me breathless. There are daemons- variable "sidekicks" of everyone in Lyra's world. Speaking of Lyra, she is a girl who, and her daemon, have survived aliianced battles, tricked even armored bears, and has been flung into this all, with total ignorance of her destiny. So she will make mistakes... and the impact of them will be big. And we all hope she doesn't because the fantasy world of "His Dark Materials" will come crashing into a severe end- which, some of the fans are expecting. So in a word, "The Golden Compass"= orginal. And I think that anyone who appreatciates fiction should aspire to be orginal. And Philip Pullman has done just that.

This book is one of the best I've ever read! I love the concept of deamons and how they change. Lyra (And Pan of course!) is/are just too cool! Her spunk, emontional strugles, and clever twisted ideas give the story it's excitment.The concept about Dust, elementary particles,the anthilometer and parrell worlds is so fasinating. I have only one regret about this book- I read the 2nd book first by accident! (But now the Subtle Knife makes much more sense! (-:) This a great read for anyone!

I have read all the books in the Dark Materials Trilogy. And if you read one Book this year, read this one! (If you read two read this and the subtle Knife), The richness and intricasy of the plot pulls you in slowly, until before you know it, your In-middle of a great battle! A wonderful book for all ages, it will satisfy even the most avid reader!