As others who've actually read the books state, it is religious authority, organization and orthodoxy that truly get the short shrift, and it's done very well, especially for a YA novel, but even taken out of that context, the story has a cohesive thematic structure.

The main character is played by Dafne Keene, who was great in Logan, and whose role in Logan kind of fit parts of Lyra's personality well. Perplexingly, they've toned that down a bit.

The main antagonist in the books, Mrs. Coulter, is memorable. And the show seems to have really done a fantastic job casting her, watching her somewhat expanded role has been a true highlight.

They also moved some elements from the second novel up, and some major reveals come fairly early, but all in ways that make sense, for now. The show is also visually quite well done, so I'd recommend it, as well as the books.