Rating: 
Summary: A thought provoking set
Review: Finally, a set of children's fantasy books that goes a bit against the grain and addresses serious issues that will cause children to think. If you want to brainwash your kids into following your imperfect footsteps, by all means boycott these books. If you want your children to learn, think, and make their own path by their own free will, these books are a great compass.
Rating:
Summary: Great, epic, and absolutely extroidanary.
Review: When I first read the Golden Compass in the middle of January I was repelled by the dull begining, but quickly that changed as I was enveloped in a magical tale of a girl and her daemon, Pantalaimon. The book is full of wonder and kept me at the edge of my seat all the way through. The second book, a great sequel, had me even more, if that's possible, entranced in the continuing journey of Lyra and her new found friend, Will. The book kept rising and rising into epic heights that I haven't experienced in quite a while. The detail Pullman has used to describe ever bit and cranny of his awesome world is just a surrealistic experience. Well anyways, as the book finishes off with a mild cliff-hanger, I devoured the last book as I was once again whisked away and enchanted by Pullman's brilliant trilogy. The last book had, more then the other books, some anti-christian points, but this was appropriately interlaced in Lyra and Will's grand destiny. I don't want to spoil anything but the last book had me laughing at times, on the edge of my seat at others, and saddened as well. Overall, these books may not be for the same audience as Harry Potter, because of it's more mature themes and myriad of descriptors that children in elementary school may not have learned, but when it comes down to it, I feel that this trilogy has sent me away on a magical journey, impossible to duplicate, and something I haven't felt in a long while.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is a captivating story of a young girl who is to save the universe.
I read this book because one of my best friends was reading in on a ski trip we went together over Xmas break. Bored, I picked up the first book in the series and could not stop reading, until 4 days later I finished the triology.
I then gave the book to my ten year old sister, and though it took her 2 months to read the series, she too loved it.
Pullman does a great job of creating a fantasy world and brings it to life.
Not only is this book a great book for the story, but on a analysis level, it is deep and can be interpretted on many different levels.
I highly recommend this book, no matter what age you are, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best fantasy/fiction novels I've ever read!
Review: Ok,so these books do have dark parts.But that's life,take the good with the bad.During the first few pages of The Golden Compass,I was hooked.I love the plot and how Lyra had a tough life.She stumbles upon a door to a different world and gets taken on an adventure she'll never forget.The Golden Compass has to do with an artifact with special powers.In the Subtle Knife,Lyra meets Will,who finds a knife that can open up doors to the other worlds.The Amber Spyglass is when Will and Lyra go on a trip,I won't say where.I love all three!
Rating: 
Summary: An unenjoyable mishmash
Review: I bought this trilogy after it kept coming up in my Amazon recommendations. So many people had written rave reviews; I thought I'd really enjoy the series. Instead, I got a rambling mess, with overtones of Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series, Richard Adams' Shardik, Lord of the Flies, folklore, Stephen Jay Gould, Stephen Hawking, and every sub-par parallel worlds episode that Star Trek ever made. The characters aren't consistent from one book to the next. Plotlines are abandoned without a trace. And the writing is dull and unevocative. I'll give it two stars for a few interesting ideas and the fact that I managed to get through it, but I certainbly wouldn't recommend this to anyone. You'll be seeing my set on [website] soon.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Books
Review: I though these three books were amazing. I have read each of them several times because they are so great. Like all of his other books this has an excellent plot and story line.
This is a truly amazing book which I highly recomend.
I am an extreamly fussy reader but I thought this book was sensational.
I would have to rate it at 10/10 or maybe 9.999/10
Rating:
Summary: Sigh of pleasure
Review: Ok so maybe its not for children...BUT...it does say recomended for young adult. I read these books all through my middle school years so 13 at the oldest. I'm not warped, I didn't turn out anti-christian. Those easily offended are warned to stay away, but those who belive substance is more than a surface explination of the authors views on god read it. Its amazing. Full of plot, and characters that are so rich and deep, and alagorical yet focused and clear at the same time. It is by far one of the pioneering books of my time.
Rating:
Summary: Please - it's FICTION!
Review: Look, any book with violence and scary scenes should be look at carefully before being given you your children, but come on - it's fiction, not fact! If you can't present anything but well-worn dogma to your kids, then these books are not for you. If you are able to articulate clearly to your kids why you disagree with the premises of this story, then you might have some very deep and wonderful conversations about the meaning of your beliefs and just what it means to have God in your life. These are beautifully written books that should delight most any reader who isn't afraid to simply contemplate another point of view. Condemn it as wrong, evil, etc., if you must, but it is a wonderful, epic story that Pullman has written.
Rating:
Summary: Best Fantasy I've Ever Read
Review: I keep returning to this book over and over again. Everytime I read it, I discover something new inside of it. Pullman writes this story fantastically, and the plot develops seamlessly through all three books. I have enthusiastically recommended it to many friends.
Being Jewish, the part about The Church didn't really bother me or strike me a blasphemous. Though there are violent and rather dark themes in the book, the main point of the novel is a lovely story of the coming of age of two kids, Lyra and Will.
I strongly recommend this book for ages 11 and up. Kids younger than that won't pick up on many of the important aspects of the novel, and frankly, some kids are just too young for the cold blood murder and dark subject matter of this book.
This set of novels is a great gift, especially for a kid who is very bright or loves to read. I even got my parents to read them, and they enjoyed the trilogy as much as I did!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent trilogy...
Review: I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers here that these books have a certain anti-Christian (or anti-Catholic) slant. However, please keep in mind that this is a POINT OF VIEW of the author and as such cannot be criticized. You can agree or disagree with it, argue for or against it, but simply saying that it's wrong is unwarranted. Actually, I think the fact that these books make you contemplate your own position is what makes them worthwhile.
In general, I thought the first two books were just incredible. The third was weaker and I thought Pullman must have been in a hurry to get it out. Still I consider this trilogy a must-read...
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