Moonset Dreams

Readers and writers of fantasy often get asked what was the book that got them into fantasy? What was the book that made them want to write? For me, there is a clear answer.

Hence my first book review.

The Golden Compass holds a special place in my heart – it is the story that really hooked me into fantasy. I first read it when I was about ten years old.

 Let me say first of all, that Pullman’s world is so fascinating. It is an alternate version of our world, but with stark differences – notably magic, souls as animal companions (called daemons), and talking animals. There are certain fantasy tropes that I absolutely love, and The Golden Compass has several of them – magical objects, a quest, dead or absent parents, and the “chosen one”. Each one of these tropes is done extremely well, in my opinion.

The protagonist, Lyra Belacqua, is such a badass. She has grown up as Oxford University (although it looks much different in this world), with her daemon Pantalaimon and her best friend, Roger Parslow. She’s a bit of a sneak and a troublemaker, so when her uncle, Lord Asriel comes to the college, naturally she’s spying, and she watches the Master poison Lord Asriel’s wine. She is able to warn him and saves his life. She spies again of course, as he presents his scientific findings to the Oxford Scholars about a material he has discovered in the far north called “Dust”, which she soon figures it is the reason the Master attempted to poison him.

Lyra, curious about Dust and eager for an adventure, tries to convince Lord Asriel to take him with her, but he refuses, and leaves her behind at the university. At the same time, rumors have been circulating that children have been disappearing from the village, snatched by what people call “Gobblers”.

When Roger is taken by the Gobblers, Lyra is determined to get him back. Then she meets the enchanting Mrs. Coulter, a woman who comes to take Lyra from Oxford to her beautiful home in London. Mrs. Coulter promises Lyra she will help her find Roger, and Lyra accompanies her and her monkey daemon to London.

Before she leaves, the Master gives her a mysterious object called an alethiometer – a golden compass. But instead of pointing north, this compass points to the truth. Lyra, like most others, does not understand how it works, but under strict instructions to keep this object secret, especially from Mrs. Coulter, Lyra and Pan attempt to figure it out while staying in Mrs. Coulter’s house.

While staying with Mrs. Coulter, Lyra and Pan discover that the woman is much more sinister than she seems, and that she, and the church, are connected to the missing children. They escape with the compass and embark on a quest to uncover the truth and save Roger. During her journey, Lyra allies with Gypsies, an armored bear, witches, and others.  

The imagery in this book is well done, and I love the dark, sinister atmosphere throughout, which is punctured only by Lyra’s determination and hope. I won’t give too much away, but I love the connection between magic, science, and the northern lights, which have always fascinated me.

If you haven’t read this, you need to read this. Especially in these trying times.