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James's Reviews > The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass
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I enjoyed the premise and theme of the book. Pullman created well thought out and memorable characters. It was a little too technical for me in regard to the depths of fantasy, i.e. I had to go back and look up the meaning of some of the made up words in the book to stay focused on what was actually happening. But great imagery. I'm not sure if I will read book 2 or 3 of the series yet... thoughts?
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Reading Progress
July 9, 2012
– Shelved
January 1, 2016
–
Started Reading
January 2, 2016
–
50.13%
"I enjoy the concept of the daemon and would love to have one of my own. :)"
page
200
January 3, 2016
–
Finished Reading
September 5, 2016
– Shelved as:
3-multi-book-series
March 11, 2017
– Shelved as:
1-fiction
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
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Emma
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 10, 2017 10:16AM
The rest of the series is also excellent. Strongly recommended.
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Emma wrote: "The rest of the series is also excellent. Strongly recommended."Good to know, thank you!
Yeah. Keep on to the end. It's a rewarding read
I read "The golden compass" some time ago, but it failed to make a lasting impression or to compel me into reading the next book in the series. I may give it another try, but still wavering. :)
Jane wrote: "Yeah. Keep on to the end. It's a rewarding read"Thanks. I'll read the descriptions and see about it.
Melindam wrote: "I read "The golden compass" some time ago, but it failed to make a lasting impression or to compel me into reading the next book in the series. I may give it another try, but still wavering. :)"Isn't that frustrating... when so many love it and so many don't! How do you choose....
You just have to take risks sometimes. Reading dangerously. :D
I really liked the first book in the series, and also enjoyed the second, but I could not get into the third book. Too many story lines, too much waiting to see how they will converge. Never finished it.
Jane wrote: "I really liked the first book in the series, and also enjoyed the second, but I could not get into the third book. Too many story lines, too much waiting to see how they will converge. Never finish..."Seems like I should give the second one a chance. It's not easy to keep it going after a few good ones, I suppose.
I haven't read this. It's been on my list for a while. The movie was enjoyable but didn't do well enough to merit completing the series. I've since learned that this is a Fantasy Steam Punk genre novel. I didn't even know that existed. Apparently the trope of the genre is to go back to an era and update the technology of the day, hence the really advanced trains and zeppelins in Golden Compass. Did you choose the novel because you're a steam punk fan?
No, I'd not heard of that genre until recently. I liked the cover and the premise, and I actually bought it online without seeing any reviews. A rarity for me!
How brave! And heretical, some would say, as well. :) I understand that certain Christian churches wanted his books thrown in a bonfire. I'm looking forward to someday reading the novels, but given some of the mediocre reviews, they never seem to climb the to be read list faster than I add books above them.Thanks for the review
Peter wrote: "How brave! And heretical, some would say, as well. :) I understand that certain Christian churches wanted his books thrown in a bonfire. I'm looking forward to someday reading the novels, but given..."Thanks for commenting. I could never understand burning books. If you don't like it, don't read it. And if you have kids and don't want them to read it, that's your business. But to prevent anyone else? Yikes. OK, off the soap box.
I totally understand the mediocre review wavelength. It's a good story, and there are really strong parts, but overall, it had some oddities that held it back from being a truly great YA story. Maybe I'm just not cool enough to like all the super-fantasy... steampunk... attributes. But I will give the sub-genre a chance, as I want to see a range before I decide if I like it or not.
I'm with you James on not burning books. News flash right. Turning cannibal after the plane crashes in the Andes? Yes. A person's got to eat. Burning books to prevent kids from becoming Atheists? Nah. I'm saving this one.
Peter wrote: "I'm with you James on not burning books. News flash right. Turning cannibal after the plane crashes in the Andes? Yes. A person's got to eat. Burning books to prevent kids from becoming Atheists? N..." ha! Love it.
Deanna wrote: "great honest review!" Thank you!
The first one is definitely the best one, but if the only thing holding you back is the words and the world building, those are easier to understand in the next 2... Not sure if this helps or not! It's been awhile since I read them.
Good to know. I appreciate it. :) thx.
Craig wrote: "Hmm interesting James, I recently aquired books 1 and 2 (I already had book 3) and plan to start soon😁"I look forward to reading your review and thoughts on whether to continue the series post the first book. Thx.
William wrote: "you need to they read more like one book then 23 parts if the story" Thanks, William. I loved the style, so I definitely want to give more another chance.
