Extremely disappointing. "Northern Lights" is a very poor read, with lame characters, poor world construction and worrying ideology that does little to entice the reader with its simple plot and unnecessary violence.
The story is your typical book for children that are not so children anymore: the chosen child, with a big adventure, a big mystery, big stuff all around. But if in Harry Potter, Rowling, for all the shortcomings of the series, did great in developing relatable characters and creating a world worth living in (in part playing to the 'I wish my school days were like that' tune), Pullman fails miserable all the time. The writing style is simplistic, the plot non-existent, with so many Deux Ex Machina moments you feel his obvious distaste for the church is actually a disguise, silly over-the-top violence, and a heavy handed treatment of many topics, for starters with the 'a bear must be a bear', a worrisome message if there was one (it is not the only time Pullman pulls a 'you should just be what you are, never try to challenge the status quo' message in the story). For so much about a child fighting against adults, it is curious his obsession with sending messages about 'your right place' in society.
Not good.
The best: some ideas in the world creation
The worst: unnecessary violence, too many Deux Ex Machina moments, the attack on the church is just silly and out of nowhere (please, develop, Pullman, develop), the messages about knowing your place and never challenge what you are are worrisome
Alternatives: Jonathan Stroud's "Bartimaeus" (really funny), Terry Pratchett's for younger readers (whatever that means), "Beyond the Deepwoods"... If you are older... (or the one you are going to give a book to is older) "Harry Potter", "Hunger Games", "Lord of the Rings"...
3.5/10
(Original English)
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