I think I have the female version. (I'd check, but the shelf it's on requires a ladder.)

btw Jessica, check your comments.

The spine has a different color jewel - red or blue, I think.

I just finished The Golden Compass (hadn't read it before, have not seen the movie), and I was *riveted* for the entire last half of the book. Wow.

I disremember -- were people here saying that the next 2 aren't as good? And if they aren't, can you say why without spoiling the plot?

I feel like the plot kind of goes off the rails by the third book, and strains my credulity. I couldn't follow where Pullman went.

So it's worth reading at least the second?

I'm way too much of a completist to advise not finishing a trilogy. I think there are other people around who probably liked the series more, and might have stuff to say in its favor.

I agree with Dana. I still liked the second one, because it does more world-building and introduces some new characters, but the third one kind of lost me. At some point, I may reread it, but as I recall being utterly confused by the plot and exhausted by dodging Pullman's thematic anvils.

At some point, I may reread it, but as I recall being utterly confused by the plot and exhausted by dodging Pullman's thematic anvils.

I reread them all recently and, while I think I actually ended up liking the 2nd book better than the rest, the 3rd still left me disappointed for the reasons everyone has said.

Book 2 was great and book 3 was great up until the ending, which was disappointing. Still worth reading the whole thing, though.

Some of the character development in the second book drove me batty, so I haven't picked up the third one. I did love the first book.