This is the first book of a trilogy. They are meant to be children's books but the story is very complex and dark. I really enjoyed the books - I have already read them twice. I think anyone who enjoys Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings would enjoy these. The main character is Lyra - she is a bit of a wild child who lives in Oxford in an alternative universe to ours. In the first book she learns about Dust, witches, armoured bears and the true identity of her parents.

I have organized these three books into a book ring. The order is as follows:
(order updated 27/07/04)

spiderchic - UK
omly - MS, USA
mokona - MI, USA
yourotherleft - PA, USA
alanfoxboro - TN, USA
Marshian - GA, USA

then back to me - PButtercup, ON, Can

Please journal when you receive the books and when you send them on. PM the next person on the list for their address when you are ready to mail them on. Please keep the books together. If you are unable to read them when your turn comes, let me know so I can shift the order as needed. Hope everyone enjoys these!

Mailed these today - winging their way to spiderchic.

Woohoo!! These arrived in the post today can't wait to start reading them!
Thank you for the sweeties PButtercup - what a lovely idea!

14th May - have just finished Part One of the book and am enjoying it so far. Was a bit worried at first that I was going to get bogged down with the strange words and talk of different councils etc.. but am really getting into it now. Will journal again when i'm done!!
17th May - have finished this book - wow really enjoyed it am going to start straight away on the 2nd one. Thank you!!

Sent out to omly today 1st June 2004

Arrived safetly this afternoon after a particularly tough day. Yeah! Now I have something to get me through the next couple days.

I am so pleased that I got a chance to read this series. It was darker than I expected, although I don't know why given someone mentioned it in the journal entries above. Maybe dark is the wrong word; it just contrasts significantly from the Potter series to which so many people compare this novel. Although I agree that Harry Potter fans might very well like this one, "the flavor" is quite differet.

One of my favorite things about this novel was its use of destiny/fate and prophesy. Many novels attempt to incorporate prophesy into their storylines, but this is one of the few that actually pulls it off well. Although it is mentioned by a few characters that Lyra is prophesized to be important and a betrayer (no worries that isn't a spoiler you will find it among the first couple of pages) you aren't batted over the head with it forcefully over and over again. Instead it only resurfaces later and you are left with this feeling of "oh" and it all just ties together. I am not sure that I believe in fate, but if it does exist this is how I think it would be.

Received today - Yay!

Starting book one of the trilogy tonight. :)


Aug 8
Finished Book One tonight, am I am hooked. I'm really glad that all three books were traveling together, since the ending really keeps you going. I really enjoy the pace of the story, it keeps going without being tiring, or dull. Very exciting and interesting story and concepts.
Lyra is an amazing character, very bright, but still a child, and the twists of fate are just amazing how they unfold and tie together.
I am eager to start on Book Two tomorrow after work.

Released on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at Media Mail in Fellow Bookcrosser, A Book Relay Controlled Releases.

Mailing to yourotherleft today!

Received in today's mail. Thanks!

Sorry I've taken so ridiculously long to log these, my bookring joining caught up with me =/ I just finished this first book, and it's awesome! What a great and creative adventure. I really loved the characters and even though I obviously don't know what it feels like to have daemon, this book made me feel like I did and even feel the pain of being separated from it. Excellent. Will be reading the other two ASAP. Thanks for your patience.

I received this book in the mail today along with two others in the series. Thanks to PButtercup for the bookring and to yourotherleft for sending the books on to me. I will read this one and post a review ASAP.

I finished this book today, and it was great. Pullman has an extremely fertile imagination. This is probably the best series (so far) of children's fantasy since The Chronicles of Narnia, and that includes Harry Potter. These characters sparkle with real depth and emotion, unlike those in most children's books.

Thanks to PButtercup for these bookrings. I am looking forward to book 2.

This book is on its way back home to PButtercup in Canada. Thanks again for the ring.

These books made it back home again after their trip - thanks to everyone who participated in my first bookring! I think I am going to have to read them again before I give them to my niece and nephew.