"The Golden Compass" is a fantasy novel by Philip Pullman, the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy. It follows a young girl named Lyra Belacqua who lives in a parallel universe where human souls manifest as animal companions called daemons. Lyra embarks on a journey to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a mysterious substance known as Dust. Throughout her adventure, Lyra encounters various characters, including the armored bear Iorek Byrnison and the witch Serafina Pekkala. She also learns about the oppressive organization called the Magisterium, which seeks to control knowledge and suppress free thought. The story explores themes of friendship, courage, and the quest for truth.