Synopsis
When Lyra's friend Roger disappears, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, determine to find him. The ensuing quest leads them to the bleak splendour of the North, where armoured bears rule the ice and witch-queens fly through the frozen skies - and where a team of scientists is conducting experiments too horrible to be spoken about. Lyra overcomes these strange terrors, only to find something yet more perilous waiting for her - something with consequences which may even reach beyond the Northern Lights.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Lyra's life is already sufficiently interesting for a novel before she eavesdrops on a presentation by her uncle Lord Asriel to his colleagues in the Jordan College faculty, Oxford. The college, famed for its leadership in experimental theology, is funding Lord Asriel's research into the heretical possibility of the existence of worlds unlike Lyra's own, where everyone is born with a familiar animal companion, magic of a kind works, the Tartars are threatening to overrun Muscovy, and the Pope is a puritanical Protestant. Set in an England familiar and strange, Philip Pullman's lively, taut story is a must-read and re-read for fantasy lovers of all ages. The world-building is outstanding, from the subtle hints of the 1898 Tokay to odd quirks of language to the panserbjorne, while determined, clever Lyra is strongly reminiscent of Joan Aiken's Dido Twite.
Review
-Extraordinary storytelling at its very best.- --The Detroit Free Press
-Superb . . . all-stops-out thrilling.- --The Washington Post
-Very grand indeed.- --The New York Times
-Powerful [...] a fantasy adventure that sparkles with childlike wonder.- --The Boston Sunday Globe
-Marvelous [...] the writing is elegant and challenging.- --The New Yorker
-Arguably the best juvenile fantasy novel of the past twenty years [...] If [The Subtle Knife] is as good as The Golden Compass, we'll be two thirds of the way to the completion of a modern fantasy classic.-
--The Washington Post Book World
-Pullman is quite possibly a genius...using the lineaments of fantasy to tell the truth about the universal experience of growing up.- --Newsweek
-Masterful storytelling [...] with a cast of instantly beguiling characters.- --The Dallas Morning News
-The most magnificent fantasy series since Lord of the Rings.- --The Oregonian
-Pullman has created the last great fantasy masterpiece of the twentieth century. An astounding achievement.- --The Cincinnati Enquirer
-Once in a lifetime a children's author emerges who is so extraordinary that the imagination of generations is altered. Lewis Carroll, E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien were all of this cast. So, too, is Philip Pullman, whose Dark Materials trilogy will be devoured by anyone between eight and eighty. The most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings, it is as intellectually thrilling as it is magnificently written.- -- New Statesman
-Thrillingly paced and exotic [...] breathtaking.- -- Columbus Dispatch
-[...] a rare few have minds capacious enough to engage in vast cosmos-making, imagining realms and inventing universes. I am thinking of Dante and Milton and Blake. We may now add Philip Pullman.-
--Parents Choice (online)
-The Golden Compass is one of the best fantasy/adventure stories that I have read in years. This is a book no one should miss.- --Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of Shannara
-As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures.-
--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
-This first fantastic installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy propels readers along with horror and high adventure, a shattering tale that begins with a promise and delivers an entire universe.- - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
-This first fantastic installment propels readers along with horror and high adventure [...] A shattering tale that begins with a promise and delivers an entire universe.- --Kirkus Reviews, Starred
-The characters of Lord Asriel, Mrs. Coutler, and Iorek Byrnison and the cold and beautiful Northern setting are captivating; the constantly twisting plot and escalating suspense are riveting; and Lyra and Pantalaimon are among the gutsiest and wiliest of adventurers. Touching, exciting, and mysterious by turns, this is a splendid work.- --The Horn Book Magazine, Starred
-Glorious. And what an ending -- simply operatic.- --School Library Journal, Top 100 Children's Novels (#28)
-This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters.- --School Library Journal
-A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels.-
--Booklist, Starred review
-Glorious. . . . The Golden Compass is one of those lyrical suspensions like Alice in Wonderland and The Lord of the Rings that crosses all age lines and intertwines mythologies and legends with seamless beauty.- --BookPage
From the Hardcover edition.
"Extraordinary storytelling at its very best." --The Detroit Free Press
--The Washington Post Book World "Pullman is quite possibly a genius...using the lineaments of fantasy to tell the truth about the universal experience of growing up." --Newsweek "Masterful storytelling [...] with a cast of instantly beguiling characters." --The Dallas Morning News "The most magnificent fantasy series since Lord of the Rings." --The Oregonian
"Pullman has created the last great fantasy masterpiece of the twentieth century. An astounding achievement." --The Cincinnati Enquirer
"Once in a lifetime a children's author emerges who is so extraordinary that the imagination of generations is altered. Lewis Carroll, E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien were all of this cast. So, too, is Philip Pullman, whose Dark Materials trilogy will be devoured by anyone between eight and eighty. The most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings, it is as intellectually thrilling as it is magnificently written." -- New Statesman "Thrillingly paced and exotic [...] breathtaking." -- Columbus Dispatch "[...] a rare few have minds capacious enough to engage in vast cosmos-making, imagining realms and inventing universes. I am thinking of Dante and Milton and Blake. We may now add Philip Pullman."
--Parents Choice (online) "The Golden Compass is one of the best fantasy/adventure stories that I have read in years. This is a book no one should miss." --Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of Shannara "As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures."
--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "This first fantastic installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy propels readers along with horror and high adventure, a shattering tale that begins with a promise and delivers an entire universe." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "This first fantastic installment propels readers along with horror and high adventure [...] A shattering tale that begins with a promise and delivers an entire universe." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred "The characters of Lord Asriel, Mrs. Coutler, and Iorek Byrnison and the cold and beautiful Northern setting are captivating; the constantly twisting plot and escalating suspense are riveting; and Lyra and Pantalaimon are among the gutsiest and wiliest of adventurers. Touching, exciting, and mysterious by turns, this is a splendid work." --The Horn Book Magazine, Starred "Glorious. And what an ending -- simply operatic." --School Library Journal, Top 100 Children's Novels (#28) "This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters." --School Library Journal "A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels."
--Booklist, Starred review "Glorious. . . . The Golden Compass is one of those lyrical suspensions like Alice in Wonderland and The Lord of the Rings that crosses all age lines and intertwines mythologies and legends with seamless beauty." --BookPage From the Hardcover edition.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for His Dark Materials: #1 Northern Lights
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials 10th Anniversary Editions S.)
Seller: Your Online Bookstore, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Fair. Seller Inventory # 0590660543-4-33402890
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials 10th Anniversary Editions S.)
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. Item in acceptable condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00090533360
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # N01O-00198
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # Q21L-02770
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_450601916
Stock Image
Northern Lights
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_457449218
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_433902425
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_439266916
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials 10th Anniversary Editions S.)
Seller: Books-FYI, Inc., Cadiz, KY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. There may be a price sticker on the front or back of the book. Seller Inventory # 23MWKP000I1W_ns
Stock Image
Northern Lights (His Dark Materials 10th Anniversary Editions S.)
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0590660543I4N10