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I think of "His Dark Materials" series as "the Anti-Potter." Similar themes and character elements but 180 degrees on things that are important to me.
I did not like The Golden compass for almost all the very reasons I like Harry Potter - While it was rich in description and atmosphere, it was so empty. I did not like Lyra or her attitudes towards .... well everything.
She did not rise above her circumstances - rather she seemed to wallow and stagnate in them. I hated the bear - Perhaps because I interpreted him as analogous to Hagrid - but a brutal and heartless murderer.
I liked Scoresby, butthe witches were both intriguing and apalling to me.
True, there were very imaginitive situations, but as one book lead from one to the next, I felt more hopeless.
I can't go on in detail about by dislikes because they are woven into the other two books, ank I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.
I will give him credit for a very thought provoking and sometimes profound set of scenarios - but I truly disliked the outcomes of most of those scenarios.
In the end on a positive note, they did make me want to read Paradise Lost in more detail - as the inspiration, it has to be better than this book.
If the story is a reflection of Pullman - I think he must be a very sad, negative and alienated man - and while I suspect my final view will not be well received, I feel a lot of sympathy for him.
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ETNutter-Quibbler Cub Reporter
"Wotch'er Harry!"
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Mar 15 2008, 03:02 PM
The concept of alternate worlds and the war really kept me captivated throughout the whole series. Oh how I wish I could have a daemon too! 
