Lyra Belacqua shines brightly in this the diamond in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” Trilogy. Lyra is one of the most amazing and feisty female characters in children’s fiction. “The Subtle Knife” and “The Amber Spyglass” are dimmed by its brilliance.
The trilogy is based on “Paradise Lost“, Milton’s epic English poem written in blank verse and Lyra’s quest, her universe, and the eternal themes of love, loyalty and ambition all swirl together in a heady mix.
It was a real shame the Americans changed the title to “The Golden Compass“.
If you read “Northern Lights” you’ll ultimately have to read the rest of the trilogy. The other two books aren’t bad by any means, but if there was one laser beam to outshine them all then it was this one.
Happy reading.
ZHZ.
