Book Report (September/October 1996)
This is the first in a series of three fantasy novels by Pullman, well-known for his Sally Lockhart (Rudy in the Smoke) series. The setting includes some elements of 19th-century England, but this is definitely a fantasy world. For example, every person has a daemon--an animal spirit. Lyra, 11, and her daemon Pantalaimon, live surrounded by scholars at Jordon College. Occasionally they are visited by her uncle Lord Asriel. During such a visit, Lyra hears of an entity called Dust and dangerous adventures in the North. At the same time, children are being kidnapped by Gobblers, and it is rumored that their daemons are being severed from them, an unimagined horror. Lyra's good friend Roger is one of those kidnapped. She also receives an alethiometer, a kind of compass, that only she can operate and use to tell the future. Suddenly, Lyra is removed from Jordan College by a cold, ruthless woman, who turns out to be her mother. She also learns that Lord Asrial, r imprisoned in the North, is her father. Lyra escapes from her mother and has all sorts of magical adventures rescuing her father. He turns out to be just as ruthless as her mother, sacrificing Roger to build a bridge across the aurora borealis to the world beyond. Lord Asriel intends to find the source of Dust so he can destroy it, but Lyra wonders if Dust is bad, as the grown- ups believe, or good? This is a rich, complex fantasy. Readers will appreciate its originality and the resourceful female protagonist. I recently heard fantasy writer Terry Brooks (Shannara series) speak and he recommended this book; I share his endorsement. Highly Recommended. Rosemary Knapp, Library Media Specialist, Camas (Washington) High School
Booklist starred (Vol. 92, No. 13 (March 1, 1996))
Gr. 7-12. In the first of a planned trilogy, Pullman has created a wholly developed universe, which is, as he states, much like our own but different in many ways--a world in which humans are paired with animal "daemons" that seem like alter egos, only with personalities of their own. The story begins at Jordan College in Oxford, where young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are being reared and educated by the Scholars. Although a lackluster student, Lyra possesses an inordinate curiosity and sense of adventure, which lead her into forbidden territory on the night her uncle, Lord Asriel, visits. He's there to solicit funds for a return journey to the distant arctic wastes, where he has observed and photographed strange goings-on, including a mysterious phenomenon called Dust that streams from the sky and a dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora, or Northern Lights, that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. After he leaves, Lyra finds herself placed in the charge of the mysterious Mrs. Coulter and in possession of a rare compasslike device that can answer questions if she learns how to read it. Already shocked by the disappearance of her best friend, Lyra discovers Mrs. Coulter's connection with the dreaded children-stealing Gobblers and runs away, joining a group of gyptians bound for the North to rescue missing children. Lyra has also learned that her uncle is being held prisoner in the North, guarded by formidable armored bears. Filled with fast-paced action, the plot involves a secret scientific facility, where children are being severed from their daemons; warring factions; witch clans; an outcast armored bear, who bonds with Lyra; and more. It becomes evident that the future of the world and its inhabitants is in the hands of the ever-more-resilient and dedicated Lyra. A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels.
Horn Book starred (September, 1996)
In Lyra's world, similar to our own but with some important differences, each human has a "daemon," an animal familiar with whom one's life and destiny are entwined. Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon, have a great destiny in this sweeping, suspenseful fantasy novel, the first in a projected trilogy. Kidnapped children, armored bears, and evil science experiments are just some of the elements in the touching, exciting, and mysterious story.
Publishers Weekly (February 19, 1996)
If Pullman's imagination dazzled in the Victorian thrillers that culminated with The Tin Princess, in this first volume of a fantasy trilogy it is nothing short of breathtaking. Here Earth is one of only five planets in the solar system, every human has a daemon (the soul embodied as an animal familiar) and, in a time similar to our late 19th century, Oxford scholars and agents of the supreme Calvinist Church are in a race to unleash the power that will enable them to cross the bridge to a parallel universe. The story line has all the hallmarks of a myth: brought up ignorant of her true identity, 11-year-old Lyra goes on a quest from East Anglia to the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate Roger and her imprisoned uncle, Lord Asriel. Deceptions and treacheries threaten at every turn, and she is not yet certain how to read the mysterious truth-telling instrument that is her only guide. After escaping from the charming and sinister Mrs. Coulter, she joins a group of "gyptians" in search of their children, who, like Roger, have been spirited away by Mrs. Coulter's henchmen, the Gobblers. Along the way Lyra is guided by friendly witches and attacked by malevolent ones, aided by an armored polar bear and a Texan balloonist, and nearly made a victim of the Gobblers' cruel experiments. 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. 100,000 first printing; $250,000 ad/promo. Ages 10-up. (Apr.)
School Library Journal (April 1996)
Gr 7 Up--A novel set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own. Lyra, apparently an orphan, lives among the scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. She becomes aware of a nefarious plot to steal children and transport them to the far north. As Lyra is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery, she finds that the children are being made to suffer terribly. What she does not--and must not--know is that she is the keystone in an ancient prophecy. Her destiny is to save her world and to move on into a parallel universe. She dives headlong into harrowing adventures, totally unaware of her importance. She also discovers the identity of her parents, who are major players in the unfolding drama. In Lyra's world, every human has a daemon, an animal that is sort of an extension of one's soul. This fact is central to the story as the church, the academic world, and the government seek to understand the significance of the phenomenon. Also important, but never fully explained, is a substance called Dust. This is a captivating fantasy, filled with excitement, suspense, and unusual characters. The armored bears are wonderful and more interesting than most of the humans. There is some fine descriptive writing, filled with the kind of details that encourage suspension of disbelief. The story line moves along at a rapid clip, but flags when it delves into philosophical matters. The ending is less than satisfying, but serves as a lead-in to part two of the series. Fantasy lovers will be clamoring for the next installment.--Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
