Looking at this book through my Goodreads account, it seems like I’ve missed the party with this one. Better later than never.
Northern Lights, or The Golden Compass in American edition, is a cleverly crafted tale about... I would say friendship, loyalty, and destiny, but free will sounds more like it.
The story is a hero(ine)’s journey, basically, and it’s my fave narrative structure, so I enjoyed it massively. I also liked that the characters and the world of Pullman is painted in all kinds of dark hues, without a division into black and white. And I loved the views of the North! I’ve never been a fan of cold and snow, bit Northern Lights made me fascinated with it.
I have a feeling that this kids’ story disguises much deeper themes than one would expect. I’m sensing more darkness to come in the next installment.
I will also say that mid-grade books invigorated my reading life for sure. Finished this one in two days.