This book is captivating, to say the least. Within the first five chapters, the author Pullman has the reader seeing the world through the eyes of the young heroine, Lyra. Lyra is a former street urchin, who, now, through a strange turn of fate, is trekking through the far north with Gyptians(gypsies)and a giant talking polar bear with armor and opposable thumbs. She is given the gift of a small compass-like instrument called the alethiometer that tells her the truth. It doesn't predict the future or tell fortunes, it tells the truth. With this "golden compass", Lyra and her friends bravely forge forward to save the world from Dust, a mysterious substance. This book combines all sorts of adventures with comedy, tragedy, and romance. It is just the beginning of a fantastic trilogy. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!