Fantasy · Young adult
The Golden Compass
In a world where every person has an animal companion that embodies their soul, a feisty girl sets off for the far north to rescue a friend taken by a mysterious organisation. Along the way she meets armoured bears, witches and aeronauts.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1995
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 399
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in His Dark Materials
Read this if you want a vivid, fast children's fantasy with big ideas and a very memorable heroine.
Skip this if you want a purely comforting read, as the book includes cruelty to children and questions faith.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Golden Compass
- What is The Golden Compass about?
- In a world where every person has an animal companion that embodies their soul, a feisty girl sets off for the far north to rescue a friend taken by a mysterious organisation. Along the way she meets armoured bears, witches and aeronauts.
- Who should read The Golden Compass?
- Read it if you want a vivid, fast children's fantasy with big ideas and a very memorable heroine. Skip it if you want a purely comforting read, as the book includes cruelty to children and questions faith.
- How long and how fast is The Golden Compass?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 399 pages, first published in 1995.
- Does The Golden Compass have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Child abuse, Kidnapping.
- Can I borrow The Golden Compass for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Golden Compass; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Golden Compass?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Subtle Knife.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Golden Compass
-
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The gentler, older cousin in tone, which many readers treat as the opposite worldview.
-
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Another children's fantasy that gradually grows into something larger and more serious.
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The Subtle Knife The next book in the series, which widens the story to other worlds.
Fantasy
