i hate beacause to much inappriote stuff

Even though I am older than 17, I really loved this series. At one point, I got so emotional over a section of the book that I began to cry and had to shut it for a breather. Many people claim that the book is anti-Christian, but personally I do not feel that is the case at all. It is intended to make children consider the ramifications of following anything blindly, whether it is a religion or a government. I would like to remind others that just because the author is atheist does not mean he hates Christianity. Atheism is simply not believing that there is a god. Also, the "god" killed in the series is not really a god, but rather a being falsely impersonating a god. That single point is critical to understand. I find it appalling that the majority of the people decrying the book have not even read it. If you have qualms over the book, read it before you give it to a child. The story is just as captivating for adults as it is for children.

This is a great book! I don't know anyone who wouldn't like this. The only innapropriate parts aren't used for people. When the book says, "humped", it means the colors of the sunsets were mixing. I don't see how anyone sees that innapropriate.

Why would anyone ever say this is bad? You have to really already think it is bad and nitpick it honing in on something and warping it to fit how you see the book. Please if you have something to say, say it calmly. Don't just say one word or use all capitol letters. It's rather childish.I am christian if you must know.

This is a good book for children who enjoy fantasy like Harry Potter. I did not find an anti-religious tone to the book -- it is a fantasy after all. I would say that any religious overtones are similar to those in the CS Lewis series of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. You have to have a good sense of the history of religion to pick it up. The whole series is extremely entertaining and well written, and it hangs together well in that it is consistent. The girl is a great role model for pre-teen girls -- she is strong, self-confident and self-reliant.

I loved this book. Im an Athiest and im proud but thats not the reason i loved this book. It did have a few sexual elements but if you know about that stuff about (which alot of kids at the age do) its fine. The violence is "well described" but its not so bad. It has a dark and athiestic storyline but emersive and extremely intersting. I think that parents forcing kids to follow their religon is mean. My parents let me beleive whatever i want im very happy about it.I loved this book and the sequels so i hope you read them.

gypsies, and experiments in a parallel world. there is some violence.

Its amazing. Its beautiful. Heart- breaking, etc. Go read it. This is the only book I've ever given 5 stars to. It is the first in a epic about a device, and the one child who is meant to protect it against all evil. A golden compass which can see the truth. Lyra is a determined, and loyal girl, who will stop at nothing to do the right thing. You will never read a book better than this. Its breath- taking, and I'm not trying to be cheesy here. It really is. Read it. Read it to your kids. Give it to your family, and neighbors. Let them pass it on. This book is the story of growing up, and learning from your mistakes. You will laugh, you will cry, you will stand up cheer, you will run, and save gas, to the nearest book store for the sequel; The Subtle Knife, which is shorter but it won't stop you from reading the finale story. The bad stuff: Sex: Two characters make- out , and their Daemons 'play' which each other too. (that includes dogs with birds, or cats with rabbits etc.) Violence includes blood, but don't consider it gory. Fights with guns, bows N arrows, hands or paws. If an Daemon is tortured the person feels the pain too. Language: D***, H***, son of a B. Smocking and drinking: A character smokes, and men gamble, and men drink. Two kids get drunk by sneaking wine, and they also get hangovers. Other stuff: Poison, and a death of an child. A children are tortured, thats the plot. _- SPOILER- kids daemons are cut away, leaving the kids in zombie like states, screaming for their daemon. O.K. TO READ: Just read the book. No need to past on if your a christen, it has nothing to do with religion. SO COME DOWN!!! ITS THE BEST BOOK IN THE HISTORY OF BOOKS, JUST READ IT!!!!!!!

NOTE: This series is NOT children's fiction! It has been classified as such in local libraries and bookstores, but please, please read it beforehand. I read this book because my librarian recommended it to me, seeing as I love fantasy. The story started off ok. It made me curious and I wanted to read more. Be that as it may, this book, as well as the rest of the trilogy, contains very mature themes that should NOT be written about for children. This book probably isn't as bad as the rest, but once children read this book, they will of course want to know how it all ends. The book runs along a theme of over-throwing God, the devil is exalted and apparently, we have misunderstood him. Go figure. There are severely damaging and graphic experiments made against young children including castration, female circumcision, as well as the separation of the body from it's soul, or 'daemon' in this case. The rest only gets worse, as in the third and final book, Lyra (the main character) and Will (major character) perform intercourse, being in the ages of 12-14. God is over-thrown, heaven is taken over and a republic is set up. I am not attacking freedom of speech, THIS series is. It is an attack on moral issues, even morals that secular parents who are not religious are careful about with their children. For me, this is an evil attack on God and on His followers. This author may say what he thinks, believe me, I am not attacking freedom of speech, but when he tries to wrap it up in a children's fiction novel, he crosses the line. Children should not be subject to such thinly-veiled propaganda, and such mature subject matter that should be dealt with by their parents or teachers, NOT by a story.