In a landmark epic of fantasy and storytelling, Philip Pullman invites readers into a world …
Review of 'Northern Lights (His Dark Materials)' on 'Storygraph'
2 stars
When I started reading, I was slightly annoyed by the main character, Lyra - but as most people who read it seemed so positive, I continued anyway. Characters can develop, after all.
I found the idea of the daemons interesting, though a bit mean. But I also found myself puzzling over the world in which the story is set a lot. (I haven't come to a conclusion, though, whether the setting is supposed to be a "Victorian" or modern version of our world because of the hints in both directions. I wonder if the "modern" hints were intended or just things which slipped in and by unnoticed.)
After a while I began to sympathize with Lyra a little, though I couldn't say she became one of my favourite characters of fantasy fiction ever. All in all, the rest of the "cast" appealed more to me, especially the witches and the panserbjorne. The idea of the Dust was very compelling and interesting, too, especially with the vague hints at string theory accompanying it.
I found the idea of the daemons interesting, though a bit mean. But I also found myself puzzling over the world in which the story is set a lot. (I haven't come to a conclusion, though, whether the setting is supposed to be a "Victorian" or modern version of our world because of the hints in both directions. I wonder if the "modern" hints were intended or just things which slipped in and by unnoticed.)
After a while I began to sympathize with Lyra a little, though I couldn't say she became one of my favourite characters of fantasy fiction ever. All in all, the rest of the "cast" appealed more to me, especially the witches and the panserbjorne. The idea of the Dust was very compelling and interesting, too, especially with the vague hints at string theory accompanying it.