The Golden Compass

This was my second time reading The Golden Compass and I was surprised to find that it didn't quite live up to my memory of it. I think that much of the magic and wonder that I had associated with it was actually contained in its sequel, The Subtle Knife, but bled into my mental image of this book since I read them in such quick succession.

The plot of this novel is pretty straightforward, and much of it is dedicated to establishing the universe of the trilogy and the mysteries that are to be solved in the subsequent installments.

Although it's not my favorite, The Golden Compass will no doubt remain a staple of the YA fantasy canon for years to come. I'm looking forward to seeing the upcoming HBO show, as this series is extremely deserving of a good adaptation.