His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Author: Phillip Pullman


Published: 1995-2000
Novel. Trilogy.

Set in a world dominated by a theocratic international organisation, the Magisterium, which actively suppresses heresy. In this world, humans' individual souls naturally exist outside of their bodies in the form of sentient dæmons. 

Lyra is an English girl on the cusp of puberty, who has been allowed to run wild with her dæmon Pantalaimon, in the grounds of Jordan College for her entire life, under the guardianship of the college's Master. One day, Lyra sneaks into a wardrobe, in the hopes of spying on her uncle, Lord Asriel lecture to the Scholars. 

Moments before, she witnesses a bottle of wine being poisoned by the Master, she warns Asriel not to drink it. Asriel orders Lyra to return to her hiding place moments before the Scholars enter the room. The lecture has one purpose: convincing the Scholars to fund Asriel's trip. 

After Asriel leaves Jordan, Lyra begins hearing rumors of the Gobblers, a mysterious group that has been kidnapping children, allegedly for torture or experimentation. Shortly, her friend Roger Parslow goes missing. Lyra meets Mrs. Coulter, a beautiful, enchanting woman and eagerly agrees when invited by the Master to go and live with her. 

Before leaving, the Master secretly entrusts Lyra with an alethiometer, a "truth telller" wich resembles a four-handed pocket watch that will truthfully answer any possible question asked by a skilled user.

After living for several weeks with Mrs. Coulter, Lyra realizes that she is the leader of the General Oblation Board: the secret, Church-approved, child-stealing organization that kids have been calling the Gobblers.  Horrified, Lyra flees and is rescued by the Gyptians. 

Characters: 
Lyra Belacqua.
Pantalaimon.
Will Parry
Kirjava
The Authority
Lord Asriel
Marisa Coulter
The Golden Monkey
Metatron
Lord Carlo Boreal (Sir Charles Latrom)
Mary Malone
Iorek Byrnison
Lee Scoresby
Serafina Pekkala
The Master of Jordan
Roger Parslow
John Parry (Stanislaus Grumman/Jopari)
Lord Roke
Madame Oxentiel
Chevalier Tialys
Lady Salmakia
Ma Costa.
John Faa
Father Gomez
Fra Pavel Rasek
Balthamos
Tony Makarios
Mulefa