Product Description

When Lyra's friend Roger disappears, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, set out to find him. They travel to the ice kingdoms of the North, where armoured bears rule and witch-queens fly through frozen skies. Lyra possesses a device that will aid their quest - ifshe can decipher its mysterious messages. But it knows terrifyingsecrets about their journey, and the dangers that await them in worlds far beyond their own.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25581 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Customer Reviews

northen lights
I really liked northen lights because it was scary and nerve racking and where the two bears fight is good because it describes it well.Well it describes it well the whole way through though I still don't understand what dust is, I dont see how it is different from normal dust that you get on the top of the T.V.Anyway it was a really good book, it made me feel as though I where there.I like it when tony got took by the gobblers and got his deamon took away.My favorite charecter was pan I like him because he was loyal to lyra, infact I wouldn't mind having one myself. I woudn't mind reading "The Subtle Knife" at all, or "The Amber Spyglass" either.

Flame away....
I've read many fantasy novels, trilogies, quadrilogies and more over the last 30 years and yet I'd avoided Philip Pullman's work until now. With the imminent film I thought I ought to read the books before seeing it. I am mystified as to why people love this so much. OK, so I only got the books yesterday and have just finished the first one, but honestly... it was so poorly written. Everything is at break-neck speed without any great attempt to flesh out character and atmosphere with detail. The point I felt this most was when we are told of the deep love between Lyra and the bear... and I found myself thinking, hang on... they only met a few pages ago, they've not interacted much and certainly the author has not bothered to build that relationship with descriptive passages. It's all so fascile and shallow. Pullman far too often uses the ruse of explaining the confusion and lack of real atmosphere on Lyra's exhaustion. I lost count of the time she just keeps nodding off, in corners, under snow-drifts... like some narcoleptic cypher.
I know I'll get all those "I did NOT find this review helpful" votes from the fanboys and girls out there... but seriously people, wise up. There is so much better in this genre of fiction to be read, that doesn't get the plaudits and exposure that this inferior dross seems to acquire. Go read Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow & Thorn Trilogy... or his Otherland Quadrilogy for that matter. It is leagues better, and will absorb you in a rich and detailed world for days.
I'll keep plodding on with the rest of His Dark Materials. Maybe it will improve. I hope so.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
By Alex aged 10


This book is suspense-ridden and has loads and loads of fantastic descriptions. The way Pullman uses metaphors and describes the scenery is utterly stunning. The characters are very well thought out and have several layers of personality. Lyra, at the start lives wild and carefree at Jordan college (most of the time spent on the roofs) having loads of fun spoiled only occasionally by a boring visit by her Uncle. The way he sets the scene makes your imagination go crazy. I like the way he has chopped and changed our world and added bits of that world. I think daemons are a fantastic idea and wouldn't mind having one myself. I think Lord Asriel is an absolutely fantastic character. One moment kind and gentle the next rough and demanding. Mrs.Coulter is so evil she's almost serpent like, the way she actually enjoyed watching the children in pure agony, amongst other things. The Gyptians are supposed to be gypsies I found out after some research, and the word he used was derived from the Egyptian word. The armoured bears were so remarkably un human-like even though they can talk and have opposable thumbs. The descriptions of the aurora are so in-depth I think he Philip Pullman must have gone and seen them himself, here is just one of descriptions, Lyra watched as the aurora grew more intense. The first veils of translucent colour trembled and raced to one side, and jagged curtains folded and unfolded above, increasing in size and brilliance every minute; arcs and loops swirled across from horizon to horizon and touched the very zenith with bows of radiance. If that description doesn't tell you that Philip Pullman is an absolutely fantabbywhatsadooda author then you don't like books, as plain as that. The thing I admire the most about his writing is his choice of words and his way of setting the scenes. His words are so adept you almost see through Lyra's eyes. This book is one of the best children's books ever written (In my opinion) and as you read through the trilogy they get better.