An interesting story, but from a strongly atheistic worldview and with poor morality.
Plot
In another world, Lyra Belacqua's father, Lord Asriel, has broken the universe apart using the mystical energy that comes when one is separated from one's dæmons. Chasing after her father and seeking to avenge her friend, Lyra continues to find answers about her destiny and the mysterious particle known as Dust. With Pantalaimon, her dæmon, she enters a world that has been made accessible by a bridge blown into being from the Northern Lights.
Meanwhile, in our own world, a twelve year old boy named Will Parry places his mother, who suffers from a mental disorder, in the caring hands of his former piano teacher and sets out on a quest to search for his missing father. But some men are also interested in finding his father... After accidentally killing one of the men, Will is now on the run from the law.
After falling into a mysterious window in the air, Will finds himself in another world and collides with Lyra Belacqua. The two of them form an alliance and try to help one another on their quest. But it won't be easy. Hunted down by the people who are searching for Lyra and Will, they must set out into Will's world in order to learn the unexpected destiny that binds them together.
Morality
This book was written by an agnostic/atheist, and therefore morality in this story is very complex. Both Will and Lyra lie in order to keep their identities a secret, and they also steal items from the shops and stores of one of the abandoned cities in the world of Cittàgazze. Neither of them gets in trouble for their wrong actions. Both good guys and bad guys act wrongly and it is hard for the children to know whom to trust. Their allies also lie in order to help them. A child is forced to do something and given no choice.
Spiritual Content
Christianity is frowned upon in this story, as is all religion in general. The whole theme of the series is militantly anti-God. The Magistrium, the force that seeks to stop Lyra from fulfilling the prophecy as the "Second Eve," is an overly-controlling version of the Catholic church. It seeks to dominate all worlds in the name of the Authority, also known as God in our world.
The rebellious angels are portrayed as good guys and become allies to Lyra's father, who seeks to destroy the Authority once and for all. In addition the Magistrium seeks to separate people from their dæmons, which is like our soul, but on the outside. Separating dæmons from people will destroy free will, and make it easier to manipulate people.
One of the friends Lyra makes in our world, Dr. Mary Malone, was a nun for the Catholic church in our world, but has been an atheist for a number of years and now works as a particle physicist. There are elements of voodoo in order to separate people from souls. Witches also practice magic, and it goes into detail about it in this book when they try to heal Will's wounded hand. The spells fail, however, and it is suggested that there are no mystical powers in this world.
Whenever a person dies, their dæmon vanishes and its particles return to the universe. The mysterious knife that Will comes to bear is known by many names, but its most complex name is Æsahættr, which in English means 'God killer.' There are also Specters, strange creatures that go around and hunt for the souls of adults to feast on.
Violence
Lots of it, and it is described pretty well by the author. Battles and fights are full of description, as is the pain of a witch who tries to kill Mrs. Coulter, but whose dæmon falls prey to a Specter. Will accidentally kills a man in the beginning of the novel when they break into his home; he also loses two of his fingers in a fight over the Subtle Knife. A witch kills someone, then takes her own life when she learns the truth.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Lee Scoresby smokes and there is wine and other alcoholic beverages that are drunk by various characters.
Sexual Content
Lyra's evil mother, Mrs. Coulter, does flirt with her lover Lord Boreal, also known as Sir Charles Latrom in our world. Witches also take on lovers. It is suggested that Lyra and Will start to develop a crush on one another, but it's nothing major. Will's father chooses to remain loyal to his wife even though a witch seeks to be his lover.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
Lots of crude language. Other content mentioned is vulgar practices of the Magistrium. Among these is the removal of pubertal organs of boys so they can sing higher notes during choir.
Conclusion
While a fascinating read, it is not written from a Christian point of view - and it shows. Philip Pullman is not only an atheist, but a militant one, and the theme of this series reflects that. The morality is also extremely faulty, and there is also the other bad content listed above.
