[Ex Deo]

The Golden Compass (or Northern Lights in the UK)

I finished it last evening and was not surprised in the least that I enjoyed it as much as I did, considering all the praise the trilogy has received since it was released. I intend to start The Subtle Knife this afternoon and will most likely complete it in one sitting. I can't wait to dive back into the story.

I am a bit torn as to whether or not the trilogy ought to be considered "children's literature" because despite containing many elements of other children's fantasy, particularly The Chronicles of Narnia (child protagonist, talking animals) unlike the Narnia series, or even Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, and from what I've read, it's sequels, are much darker and deal in a much more mature way with its themes and situations its characters find themselves in.

As well, the writing for both Narnia and Harry Potter is very whimsical and innocently humorous, and while this isn't a complaint, the same can't be said about The Golden Compass.

I'll try and expand on this when I finish the trilogy and post my comments in here.