Once Upon a Time in the North

Texas aeronaut Lee Scoresby becomes embroiled in local politics when he lands his balloon in the Arctic town of Novy Odense in this prequel to THE GOLDEN COMPASS. The audiobook will, of course, be more resonant for listeners who have heard the His Dark Materials series--and who will recognize returning characters--but it's an entertaining, well-produced adventure regardless. Nigel Whitmey and Liza Ross are a perfect, often hilariously comic team as Lee and his daemon, the jackrabbit (or is she?) Hester. Author Pullman gives a skilled, poised reading of the narrative, and the rest of the cast is equally good, with Sean Barrett's booming armored bear, Iorek Byrnison, a standout. The tense, violent shoot-out at the end will keep listeners glued to their earphones. J.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

February 18, 2008
Fans of the His Dark Materials trilogy will get a kick from this wisp of a novel, which immediately introduces “a lean young man with a large hat, a laconic disposition, and a thin mustache”: Pullman offers up the backstory about that legendary Texan, the aeronaut Lee Scoresby, his jackrabbit daemon, Hester, and their first encounter with that other series favorite, the armored bear Iorek Byrnison. But this story reads as a stand alone, too, accessible to those unfamiliar with The Golden Compass
and the rest. Bringing in his signature talents for rich scenic description and dramatic action, the story begins as Lee arrives on the island of Novy Odense, looking for work, and instead finds adventure. Notably, Pullman tells the story from Lee's perspective, trading in trilogy heroine Lyra's point of view for that of an adult man. Lee and Iorek team up to help a sea captain save his ship's cargo—unfairly embargoed by a corrupt local politician (he harbors a deep prejudice against armored bears)—and square off against the politician's bodyguard, a hired killer. Readers will appreciate this story's larger-than-life tenor, so fitting for the heroic Lee Scoresby. Kids will enjoy the extras, such as the pull-out board game Peril of the Pole (“for four to six players and their daemons”) and “newspaper” clippings. Illustrated throughout with small engravings; final art not seen by PW
. Ages 12-up.