Review: Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman

Northern Lights is a book by Phillip Pullman, first published in 1995 by Scholastic UK Ltd.

Lyra and her animal daemon live carefree in the grounds of Jordan College, Oxford. She has never known anything outside Oxford, until one day, she is taken on the journey of a lifetime.

Her destiny takes her on a dangerous and mysterious journey to the frozen North in search of her kidnapped friend.

It is a journey that will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world...

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The next picture was also taken at night, but this time without moonlight. It showed a small group of tents in the foreground, dimly outlined against the low horizon, and beside them an untidy heap of wooden boxes and a sledge. But the main interest of the picture lay in the sky. Streams and veils of light hung like curtains, looped and festooned on the invisible hooks hundreds of miles high and blowing out sideways in the stream of some unimaginable wind.
"What is that?" said the voice of the Sub-Rector.

"It's a picture of the Aurora."

"It's a very fine photogram," said the Palmerian Professor. "One of the best I've seen."

"Forgive my ignorance," said the shaky voice of the old Precentor, "but if I ever knew what the Aurora was, I have forgotten. Is it what they call the Northern Lights?"

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As you know, it took me ages to read this one. It actually feels strange to finally write another review. Sorry about that.

Anyway, the beginning of this book I found boring, but only because I'm not used to this genre. And I truly find it hard to read books that are set in 'other worlds' or with 'other worldly' suggestions. I have to say, the beginning and middle of the book I found really hard going. I didn't have any sort of desire to read. Which I know is bad, but it just didn't get me. 

But after I hit the middle, this book really made me want to carry on. It's mysterious and full of wonder, and I can easily see now exactly why this book is bestselling and award winning, it truly deserves it. 

So, from the start to the finish, I never gave up-as I want to read every single book I own. No matter what. 

And, Phillip Pullman, you are an extraordinary writer. And at the end, you made me want to read more.

I'm still not sure if I'll purchase His Dark Materials 2, but I have to say, I'm really considering it.

-Beth

Happy Reading!♥