The Golden Compass

Frustrating in that it's slow going at the onset as it works to establish the rules of this world. Elements that will no doubt figure heavily in later books are teasingly introduced, including the idea of Dust and the city in the Aurora. Bookending that is a non-ending that simply opens the door into Book 2.

It's that chewy centre where all the goodness lays. Packed with adventure and an ever growing cast of incredible characters. Loved it.

Taken as an individual book I give it a 3 (it's so incomplete!) but I suspect the trilogy will fill in the gaps and clarify the themes Pullman is striving for.