The Golden Compass

This book was left by my brother last time he was at my house and figuring it would be a good vacation read I took it on my recent trip to Mexico. I was right The Golden Compass is the perfect easy reading fantasy book that doubles as a conversation piece as a lot of people have some opinion about the movie. The first half of the book which focuses on Lyra's childhood days in Oxford sets out the world of humans and daemons. The reader gets completely drawn in as Lyra learns more about the powers and politics going on outside the college where she lives. However the story starts to become more fantastical and less interesting once Lyra starts her adventures in the world at large. The book gets more predictable, less suspenseful and you almost wish the tale could have stayed in Oxford and learned more about the scholars and less about the wanderings of a child. On the whole, if you like fantasy The Golden Compass is worth reading as it creates an interesting humanity and I'm sure it's much better than the movie.