While British author Philip Pullman wrote his series His Dark Materials for any age, the fantasy novel has become a YA staple since its initial publication in 1995. The story, a somewhat retelling of Milton’s Paradise Lost, has been subject to controversy due to its criticism of organized religion and the idea of “original sin.” However, that has not halted its popularity whatsoever, with the series selling over 20 million copies in over 50 countries worldwide.
The first of the trilogy, The Golden Compass, has become beloved in the YA fantasy space over the last 31 years. It remains so popular that the reading platform Goodreads ranked it among the “Best Books of the 1990s.” On Goodreads, The Golden Compass holds a 4.04 rating among over 1.6 million ratings and has been reviewed over 31,000 times. Reviewers love the book, saying:
“This novel is an absolute work of pure genius, and is in my top ten reads of all time.”
“There aren’t words enough to describe what an important work of literature this is, not only for children, but also for thinking, feeling, dreaming adults as well.”
“Overall, it’s a truly magical, mystical, and totally enthralling. It’s about morality, spirituality, good versus evil and the saving of innocents from the corruption of adults.”
The Golden Compass (also known as the title Northern Lights) follows 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua, who lives in a world where human souls exist with shape-shifting animal companions called dæmons. Lyra lives with her dæmon, Pantalaimon, at Jordan College. When her best friend Roger is kidnapped by “Gobblers,” Lyra sets off on a mission to save him from the horrific experiments that are being done on children to separate them from their dæmons. Along the way, she must also uncover the secrets surrounding a mysterious element known as “dust” and learn the truth behind the people she’s known her entire life.
The Golden Compass and its sequels are out now and available wherever books are sold.
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