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.

reserved for my NSSBTSSS partner

I was RABCK'd the second two books of the trilogy at the 2007 Uncon, and now that I have the first book, I can start reading them all! In addition to this book, I have been thoroughly spoilt with:

* The Long Journey Home by Flora Leipman
* Bookmark
* 2 bars Lindt chocolate ... yum!
* 10 glitter pens
* A card with the message "There's no such thing as too many books"
* A Dodo Pad 2008 diary

It was a wonderful NSSBTSSS ... a huge THANK YOU to Vespa! :)

I loved this book. Admittedly, it took me a chapter or two to get into Lyra's world and to understand the idea of daemons but once I did, I really raced through it and was pleased to have The Subtle Knife to start as soon as I finished this!

I've seen the trailer for the film version and it looks just as I imagined it should - but I don't understand why the title has been changed? Maybe I should watch it to find out.

I've now lent the book to my mum.

Couldn't put the book down and can't wait to read books 2 and 3. Northern Lights beats Harry Potter and his adventures any day. Lyra lives in a world I am entirely comfortable with, and please - I want my own daemon!

RELEASE NOTES:

To the person who finds this book

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Happy reading.