Rating: 
Summary: Controversially Great
Review: This is one of the best series I have ever read. It's got adventure, action, romance, and it's also VERY deep. What more can you ask for? Yes, it's a little on the dark side and its contents can be controversial as it questions the existence of the God most people associate with. But just because that some people will not agree with the beliefs presented in the story does not mean it's low trash. Sometimes controversy is a sign of something great. Pullman's writing just pulls you into this other universe and it's just impossible to forget the characters and what happens to them. It's definitely something more people should read and keep. This is not a library book that you can check out, read, and return... You'll want to keep this for as long as you live. Amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular, filled with power and beauty
Review: Absolutely three of the best books I have ever read. They are filled with love, sorrow, justice, courage, wisdom, and strength. I can relate to these outstanding books on so many levels. The love story is so breath taking and the whole scientific outlook is fascinating. The world that Pullman creates is so convincing that you are drawn into it like it is a reality. His messages are so powerful and the images are dazzling. I am not one big on religion and you defiantly have to have a very, VERY open mind on religion to read these books. They have touched me very deeply. They have given me much to think about and I feel they are filled with much wisdom. Though I feel these books are for more mature children. Due to some violence and matured theories. I recommend 12 & up.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Read, Messy Philosophy
Review: I really enjoyed Pullman's imagination-- love the idea of daemons (animal others that represent your soul), loved the armored bears and the rich worlds he created. I found the books utterly engrossing and difficult to put down.I don't know whether the books will offend Christians, but as a Jewish person, I found the association of "Religion" with what is essentially Christian philosophy (emphasis on Authority, the afterlife etc.) to be muddy and ultimately a bit preachy. Not unlike Ayn Rand and the way she uses fiction to disguise her propaganda. Just be warned; if your kids read this they may become anti-religion bores! :) I also found the "good guys" to be questionable (not the kids, but Asriel and his forces) That said, I did enjoy them as stories.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a little TOO dark for kids
Review: This book does appear to offer an enchanting world to read about, but be warned. The world is a lot darker than what readers of Harry Potter are accustomed to. In fact, the feeling I get from the writing is that the author is a disturbed and creepy man. I can't bear the thought of this writer "speaking" to children through his writing. I loved Harry Potter, but this book is not in the same area. Readers beware.
Rating:
Summary: I am lost for words....
Review: Never has their been such a series-
spell-binding and magnificiant. A dark and thought-provoking tale that will have you begging for more. Some may argue that Pullman is an Athiest, but I feel that he is exposing teens to the harshness of the world. Rediculing the Church and suggesting that God is not the Creator can only broaden one's mind; in this way Pullman proposes thoughts and questions that very few dare to speak. People of all ages can enjoy these books, but since it is partly a coming of age series I would highly recommend these novels to pre-teens and teens. After I finished the last book, I felt so profoundly effected by Pullman's words I just couldn't stop thinking about them, and I still haven't. Do yourself a favor, and buy this amazing series, which rivals that of Harry Potter!
Rating:
Summary: Same old mistakes
Review: After I finished the last book I was annoyed at best. What a waste of time, both Pullman's writing of them and my reading them. How was I to know that the whole series would be based on the same old mistake that uninformed people have been making for nearly 2000 years. They think that Catholics are Christians. Sorry to disturb your atheist fantasies, but Catholicism has ALWAYS been anti-Christian. Pullman is right about Catholicism. He doesn't know anything about the Truth contained in the Bible.Oh yeah, neither do Catholics.
As for comparisons to Tolkien...get serious!!!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful fable
Review: I recently received the boxed set as a gift and quickly devoured it. An amazing little triad about two youngsters stuck in an epic battle between the good of wisdom and the evil of willful ignorance. And if you ever wanted an answer for the problem of evil, here it is in a nutshell. In fact, Pullman's god is probably more consistent with reality than any pseudo-god of the Bible. Christians will be left wondering: but if there's no "God," what's there to hope for, how can I live my life, how can I make sense of anything? And that's exactly the point of the books: reality is big and complicated, and the only thing we have to count on is reality itself. For parents, these books will provide many hours of stimulating conversation about religion, ethics, and so much more. They will prove valuable, too, in tying in the horrors of the mythical church in its pages to the long, sordid history of Christian destruction in this real world (and current day scandals). So too can the books lead to an appreciation of the good some believers have done in this world in things like art and literature (Milton is, after all, the source of the series title!). For children, it will be a wonderful fantasy full of magical creatures and powers and cool adventures. It will make Narnia seem like a drab Saturday morning cartoon (sorry Mr. Tumnus). One warning though: the books are more suited for teenagers and precocious pre-teens. Some of the writing and vocabulary can become dense and there's plenty of violence.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Series
Review: This Series is absolutely incredible. It's unlike any other fantasy/science fiction books that i've read. I devoured the final book in about twelve continuous hours.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking, captivating read
Review: This is the closest thing to a "Rowling meets Tolkien" epic I have found. Pullman takes us on a thrilling ride, seen through the eyes and world(s) of young Lyra. Her quest to find out the truth about her parents and to help her father quickly turns into a life-and-death encounter with countless "baddies" and many new friends. Her far-reaching adventures are sure to please readers fascinated by intertwined worlds, witches, magical gadgets, pseudo-science, and retro-tech visions of zeppeliners in combat with talking bears. Pullman's concept of daemons - basically souls incarnate as animal companions - is brilliantly executed and plays a central role in the story. But thankfully, Pullman wants to do more than just entertain with some fancy antics in a fantasy world. The underlying plot is about budding adolescense and the ensuing loss of innonence (and beginning of responsibility), the fundamental conflicts between good and evil, faith and facts, sin and free will, and as he moves towards the conclusion of the trilogy, Pullmans's rooting in classic english literature as well as his courageous ambition to make a controversial point becomes clear. The series quite successfully raises questions about authority, power and destiny, and the fact that the story sheds light on the hypocrisy and dubious morals of the church and questions the value of dogmatic religion may well rattle some parents and unprepared readers alike. Beware, people get maimed and die, children are orphaned and scared, the good turn out bad and it's all quite a bit more realistic (for want of a better word) and nuanced than in the world of Harry Potter. On the other hand, there is less of Tolkien's (in some people's opinion) long-winded poetry, and the resulting balance is sure to please many.
Rating:
Summary: Beaultiful. Simply beautiful.
Review: THE WHOLE SERIES is full of colorful characters, comming of age, action, romance, and a BRILLIANT storyline.
WARNING!!! This trilogy may offend christians. But trust me, its not too bad. The author's main goal was NOT to put down christianity, but to express how life should be lived honorably and to the fullest. The main character Lyra is a caring, trustworthy, stong, and loving girl who's actions are very "christian" in value. Only the most gullible of christians would be influenced to abandon their religion after reading this story. I dont recommend this trilogy to the close-minded! This trilogy has and will continue to make a great impact on readers (IN A POSTITIVE WAY). The story of young love may jerk a few tears (as it did mine). Besides "Of Mice and Men" (when george has to shoot lenny) this was the only book that made me cry. This story makes ou ponder abot life also. i first read this book during some "dark times". it made me realize that life is to be lived to the fullest and cherished. we only have a short time to live, so we might as well make it memorable.
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