Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars of Jordan College, with her daemon familiar, Pantalaimon, always by her side. But the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible struggle--a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold far North, Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: she alone is destined to win, or to lose, this more-than-mortal battle. Beautifully crafted and thrillingly told, this first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has been hailed as a modern fantasy classic. Along with The Subtle Knifeand The Amber Spyglass, The Golden Compassis a masterwork of storytelling and suspense, beloved by readers and listeners of all ages around the world. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has received a host of awards and accolades, including the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world's biggest children's literary prize. The entire trilogy is available on audio from Listening Library. Philip lives in Oxford, England. Visit his website at www.philip-pullman.com. Excerpted from The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
