The Golden Compass

Philip Pullman

This book was an amazingly fast read, and very enjoyable. I was particularly enthralled with the book's depiction of various types of "souls". Will probably pick up the rest of the series just to see this line of fictional philosophy run its course. The book was also a nice balance of introduction to a series and self contained adventure. I expected a cliff hanger at the end, but was satisfied that I had read a complete book. If you like fantasy novels, if you like child protagonists, and unless you are rigidly enamored of the church I recommend this book.