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The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)
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His Dark Materials > TGC: Part Three (Chapters 18 - End)

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message 1: by Kat (new) - added it

Kat | 1178 comments Part 3

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Part 3 (Chapters 18 - End).

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling this for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.


Jaime | 97 comments I love this book. It has been ten years since I read it, but I still remembered quite a bit from the story and yet I still really enjoyed reading it again. It was nice to see all the things that were in the text that hinted to what would happen at the end.
I really enjoy Lyra as the main character. She is likable and has flaws that make her believable. The relationship between her and Pantalaimon is touching and allows for so much to be learned about Lyra as a character through their interaction.
I love the idea the daemons as well. I fell in love with this the first time through.
The world building was rich. I know some people find the beginning of this book slow, but I didn't have that problem. There was a lot of information given, but I felt it was done while telling the story which kept it moving for me.
All the discussion and examining of the spirituality, religion, and morals was just so well done in my opinion. I look forward to see how these ideas/themes develop in the next two books.
This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is hard to believe this is a middle grade book because of all the heavy ideas, the violence, and death of children. Though I like the fact that Pullman treats his audience with respect by not holding back. Everything in the book felt like it fit and was necessary to the plot and themes.
I am looking forward to finally reading the rest of the series.


message 3: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
I'm kind of underwhelmed. It started out good, but I starting to get bored as it went on. I want to find out more about dust and the other world though, so I'll keep reading on if other people plan to continue the group read.

It's funny that most people found the start slow. That's the part I liked best.

I've decided the moral of this story is lie often, and lie BIG! It's the answer to all of life's problems. Lyra lies a lot and it serves her well. To be fair to her, she's got awful parents though.


Suzanne | 1582 comments I'm not quite done but I was thinking today that I like that the character of Lyra really is that of a kid - not just an adult who the author says is 11 (like happens in so many books). She lies, has a short attention span, is unrealistic, etc.

I think my favorite part is the human/demon connection - and maybe that's why the first part is so fun since that's when we are really learning about it.


Suzanne | 1582 comments Oh another favorite part is the aetheometer. I love how Lyra can read it - and that somehow makes sense to me. It is an interesting item!


message 6: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
Suzanne wrote: "I think my favorite part is the human/demon connection - and maybe that's why the first part is so fun since that's when we are really learning about it."

Yeah I think you may be right Suzanne.


message 7: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
I had mixed feelings on the aethometer. It felt a bit too much like a convenient plot device at times.


Suzanne | 1582 comments I liked it because I want one :) Ha but my mind is never clear enough for it to be useful.


message 9: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
Heh.


Suzanne | 1582 comments Now that I finished the book, I totally see what you mean about the aetheometer as a plot device. But I still want one :)

I liked it, and I felt like there was a depth that doesn't often exist in children's fantasy. I was surprised that Lord Azreal seems pretty bad too - I guess I shouldn't have been, but... I was! And I've always liked the idea of parallel worlds, so seeing more of that should be interesting.


message 11: by Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rob (robzak) | 6375 comments Mod
I did appreciate that it doesn't seem to pull it's punches just because it's aimed at a younger audience. There are definitely a lot of serious ideas mixed in with the fantasy story.


Jaime | 97 comments Suzanne, The first time I read it I was surprised at Lord Asriel's actions at the end, but this time I could see how Lyra's pov distracted the reader from what was there the whole time.

I am also curious about the parallel worlds. Also I wonder if we will get to see any of the characters again.

I like this book and will continue with the series.


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