In chapter 17-2 (I think) I can't defeat the Golden Monkey, any help would..

To defeat the mokey you will need those stunning blocks Lyra provides you the first time. These are located under the snow between the first to poles(right to left the way you came). You will neeed to dig them up each time (Y button in rodent form) pick it up (Y button in bird form) (note:you only get one block at a time and have to dig each time)and drop them on the monkey (y button in bird form) then turn into a feline and attack(A button)after the mokey has been stuned by your block.

You will have to dig and drop several times.

Hope this helps.

This techinque also works for The Balloon Escape 14-3 when Lyra and Pantelamon ( Pan ) has to retrieve the Alethiometer

It doesn't work!! You can't dig up blocks!! There are these spy flies that kill you really quick but other than that it's just you and the monkey!! Help someone!!

You need to change into feline form and hit the spy fly. This will stun them. Then change into bird form and pick them up. Fly upwards using B and drop them on the monkey. Do this repeatedly.

On 17-2 what you need to do is attack the spy flies. Next turn pan into the bird form and drop the flies on the monkey. Last quickly turn pan into the feline form and attack the monkey.