OK,
I've eventually convinced one of my friends to start this trilogy! He's an massive fantasy fan (he's actually written his own novel) and I'm pleased to say he's completely hooked on the series!
So...now I have the confidence that these book are actually THAT good I'm gonna start promoting them a bit here! If you like sci-fi or fantasy in the slightest then you really should give these novels a try!
The books in the series are:
1) Northern Lights (aka The Golden Compass)
2) The Subtle Knife
3) The Amber Spyglass
The series follows the adventures of Lyra and her daemon in an alternate reality, where everything is the same, but different. It's a cliche, but true! There's a lot more too it than just normal daily life - armoured snow bears, rebel angels, transportation windows, critiques on religion and a war with god. Crazy? Yes! But in a good way! If any of that sounds familiar then you've probably read "Paradise Lost" - the series is a modern day adapation on John Miltons classic.
As Monsoon pointed out, these books are aimed at the "Young Adult" market but I wouldn't let that put you off. In fact, "The Amber Spyglass" won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award - the first time in the history of that prize that it was given to a children's book.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 776393.stm
And to top it all off the trilogy is being made into a film by New Line Cinema (Lord of the Rings)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 133846.stm
Apologies if this sounds like a sales spiel...I'm not on commission, I just wanted everybody to be informed!
Matt
ETA: If you would like to read one of the most eloquent reviews I have ever read click
here. (its the fifth review down) But if you do intend to read this series please please please don't read the second paragraph of this review - it gives away a major spoiler!