1. Student Reviewer’s Name: Jhaleel H.
2. Date of review of book: 2\28\08
3. Complete Book Title: The Golden Compass
4. Author of Book: Phillip Pullman
5. Year the book was published: 1995
6. Genre: fantasy
7. Student rating of the book (1 the highest, 5 the lowest): 2
8. Main conflict in the book: The main conflict of the book was Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon have to save their friend from the gobblers-- the ones who take daemons away from children to make them weak.
9. Setting of the book: (place and time)
The setting is the future and the place is in Oxford University and other places.
10. Main Characters and part they play in the book:
(1) Lyra: the main character who is brave and adventurous.
Panatalaimon: is Lyra’s daemon, who has to be protected by her.
Lord Asriel: who is Lyra’s uncle and who has discovered the magic dust of another universe.
11. Are the characters believable and interesting? Yes, they are interesting because the author describes them very well. I also think that the author gives each of the characters a trait that allows the reader to connect with them.
12. One excellent direct quotation from the book: (include who said it, page number, and use
quotation marks!) This quotation gives Lyra hope to continue her journey when Pantalaimon says to her: “We could, we came all this way didn’t we? We could do it” (398).
13. Good reasons to read the book: Before the movie came out, I had already read the book because my parents wanted me to read the book before I saw the movie. I enjoyed the book more than the movie because I liked Lyra’s adventure and the descriptions the author gives to the readers.
14. Any reasons not to read the book? None.
15. Did you like this book or not? And why…. I enjoyed the book because the adventures kept me at the edge of my seat.
1. Student Reviewer’s Name: Trevor K.
2. Date of review of book: February 21, 2008
3. Complete Book Title: The Golden Compass (his dark materials book 1)
4. Author of Book: Philip Pullman
5. Year the book was published: 1996
6. Genre: Science Fiction
7. Student rating of the book (1 the highest, 5 the lowest): 1
8. Main conflict in the book: Lyra and her Daemon, Pantalaimon, are normal street rats living in
9. Setting of the book: (place and time) The setting is a parallel universe in our time, but many things are different.
10. Main Characters and part they play in the book:
(1)Lyra: She is the main charcter and the focus of the book. She sets out to bolvangar.
(2)Pantalaimon: Lyra’s Daemon, he is the essence of her soul.(in short: they have the same mind, but they often argue about things, just like twins.. Also, he dies, she dies. Usually opposite genders)
11. Are the characters believable and interesting? Yes. This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read, and it deserves that title, as do the characters.
12. One excellent direct quotation from the book: (include who said it, page number, and
quotation marks!) “Do that and I shall serve in your campaign, either until I am dead or until you have a victory. The price is my armor.” Iorek Byrnison P. 182
13. Good reasons to read the book: The Golden Compass is easily the BEST book you’ll ever read. It is a writing masterpiece. They are 2 other books in the series, along with a small 50 page pamphlet that takes place 2 years after the ending of book 3.
14. Any reasons not to read the book? There are absolutely NO reasons not to read the book it’s nearly perfect.
15. Did you like this book or not? And why…. I completely LOVED this book and the rest in the series. They are the most complete and fufilling books out there.