Twelve-year-old Lyra Belacqua lives in a parallel world where every human has a dæmon—a shape-shifting animal companion bound to their soul. When children begin disappearing, including her best friend Roger, Lyra journeys to the frozen Arctic to rescue them. Armed with the golden compass, an extraordinary device that reveals hidden truths, she uncovers a sinister plot involving mysterious particles called Dust, the ruthless Magisterium, and cruel experiments that sever children from their dæmons. Accompanied by armored bears, flying witches, and a Texan aeronaut, Lyra discovers her destiny is entwined with a cosmic struggle spanning multiple universes.
