Rating: 
Summary: Not just for kids!
Review: I read about 60-70 Sf and Fantasy books per year, and these books blew my mind. Mr. Pullman has created one of the first new fantasy concepts that I have come across in the last 10 years. While these are technically children's books, they are definitely not as "cutesy" as Harry Potter or other, similar, works. These books are a truly engrossing read.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read but should be rated PG.
Review: As a teacher and a lover of good books, I have conflicting opinions of "His Dark Materials." For pure "good read" value, I would consider this series on par with the Harry Potter series: not great literature, but well-crafted and compelling. Unlike the Potter series, which borrows heavily from many different existing characters and works, "His Dark Materials" is pure and original in its imaginative scope. Characters are very realistic, each possessing the same mixture of good and bad qualites we all possess. The plot twists and turns in a manner that is completely unpredictable. For these and many other reasons, the series is remarkably realistic for a fantasy piece, but this is where my problem with the series begins.Like Judy Blume before him, Mr. Pullman and his publishers have decided to market very controversial material to minors without providing warning to parents as to just what the books contain. While Blume's books contain realistic and often graphic depictions of teen and pre-teen sexuality and other controversial topics of interest to young people, Mr. Pullman has decided to use this blending of realistic and fantasy elements to take on religion. I am not a religious person myself, but even I was shocked by the lack of respect and even contempt for anything resembling organized religion that Mr. Pullman displays in this trilogy (except Shamanism, with which he doesn't seem to have a problem). Ironically, the knife Mr. Pullman uses to skewer religion is anything but subtle. I could cite multiple instances of his treatment, but to do so would ruin a good story for those interested in reading it. Let it suffice to say that anti-religious sentiments pervade the series to the point that religion itself is the "dark force in the universe." I found this premise fascinating, but then I am a thirty-something year old man who can enjoy a story without automatically accepting its underlying premise. I worry that many of the young people who read and enjoy "His Dark Materials" will find this literary Trojan horse so compelling that they actually rush to embrace the Trojans as they appear from within. Parents struggling to provide religious and moral training for their children are done a disservice when authors like Mr. Pullman write a book the purpose of which is to undermine those very efforts. For the record, I am not assuming Mr. Pullman's intent with regards to the intentions of his trilogy. I actually saw an interview with him on television in which he spelled out the anti-religious underpinnings of "His Dark Materials." To sum it all up, I'm not for censoring anything. The story is a good one. I really enjoyed it. I just don't think it should be marketed to young people. It should, instead, be marketed to adults who bring some additional wisdom and perspective to the work. I understand that a movie version of "His Dark Materials" is already in the works. If you think the protests of the super-conservative religious types were loud when the Potter craze began, wait until the vast numbers of religious moderates join the fray when they find out what their children have been learning about God and religion in Mr. Pullman's wildly popular books. Let's hope the film industry is responsible enough not to market this film adaptation directly to children. Okay, I know I'm not being realistic. It won't be long before we see the assassin priest, decrepit God, and gay angel couple action figures in our local stores along with the picket signs of many good people whom Mr. Pullman purposely intended to insult and offend. They, of course, will look like narrow-minded, intolerant idiots and Mr. Pullman will become the media's latest downtrodden first amendment crusader. He will also be a multi-millionaire. Well played, Mr. Pullman.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Trilogy
Review: I usually dislike science fiction books, but a friend referred me to this book and I changed my mind quickly. Pullman creates new worlds that are unique and clearly written. I started reading this book and I could tell right off it was going to be good. Pullman introduces you to Daemons, animals that follow you around all you life, early on in the book and it was this unique idea that locked me into the plot. The symbolism in the book is priceless. Pullman really outdid himself with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This trilogy is definitely one to read. All the books are very fast-paced and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: I grade it with all the stars in the sky
Review: From the beginning Philip Pulmen was astonishing. From when Lyra met Will and became friends till their sad separation. I find that it is a simple charming book and should be kept reading forever and years to come. I wished there was a fourth book, that could continue on with more of their thrilling and fun stories.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book!
Review: Just wanted to say that my copy of this trilogy is all but falling apart because I have read it so many times. If you havent read this book get it today it is the best.
Rating:
Summary: if you have an imagination.....
Review: This is absolutely one of my favorite book series. The descriptions are so incredibly beautiful and complex, all of it really makes you think. I was in an entirely different world the entire time I was absorbing these books. I highly reccomend this to anyone who has any kind of imagination at all!
Rating:
Summary: BY FAR THE BEST BOOKS EVER!!!!!!!!
Review: To describe this book in less than the 1,000 words (the maximum for reviews) would be impossible. These books are perfect. They have everything that a good book should have only 20 times better. Mystery, sci-fi, fantasty, love, all of it. Pullman takes you into other worlds and on great adventures. Lyra is the main character and as you read on you see not only her, but all the characters change and you will grow to love them. Each time that I finished a chapter I couldn't stop reading. The books went by so fast I was horribly sad when I was done. The reason I am not telling you much about the story line or the plot is because there is to much to it, and like i said before, I can't describe it in 1,000 words. I'll leave you with that. READ IT!!! YOU WON'T REGRET!
Rating: 
Summary: Should have stopped with two books
Review: Read the first two books and throw the third away. In The Golden Compass, the first book of the Dark materials trilogy, Philip Pullman proves that he can tell a great story. The characters are engaging, the plot is interesting, the action exciting. The second book, The Subtle Knife, is only fair. The action continues, but the plot is obviously just keeping time until the third book, and the (too) numerous new characters are flat. The third book, The Amber Spyglass, reads like a rough draft, one that should have been thrown away. It is worse than not worth the paper it's printed on. In the third book, the plot is building toward two related climaxes: a battle between the forces of good and evil on the scale of Milton's Paradise Lost; and a more personal, individual quest to preserve "Dust," the cause of consciousness in the universe. After a buildup of nearly three books, the best Pullman can do with his epic battle is to have a couple of humans drag the leader of the evil angels into a hole. Then, the universe is saved from a total loss of consciousness when the 2 13-year-old protagonists realize they are in love and--it is implied--have sex. Writing doesn't get any worse than that.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Awesome
Review: While Christian zealots have unfairly condemned Philip Pullman as an athesist from this series, I find that Philip Pullman have created a book of the millenium. Not only capturing and nuturing the interest and passion of young readers and adults, he also addressed some problems that'll never be accepted in children's book, but should be discussed with children.
Note ***** If you are only looking for a quick review, skip the following paragraph **********
Take his view on christianity for example, while god has always been "the father of all", the "savior of mankind", and the church been the holy sacred temple for him, we always see Chrisitianity as 'good', 'pure'. But how often have we seen the bad side of Chrisitianity (especially children) ? The oppression of women, the burning of witches, the tortures they used, the lid they shut on science (Galelio)....and countless more. Children, especially those of Christian familes are drilled with the so called 'goodness' of the church, but never seemed to learn the 'not so good' side of it. Shouldn't they be able to know the good/bad side of Christianity, to take a pick?? That's why this series is so good, it does not directly insults Christianity, but instead holds an open and philosophical view of Christianity.
In conclusion, the series was written very very very well, with a touching and powerful ending. For young readers, children for example, this is a good story book, one which nurtures their imagination; For young adults, this book is something to think about, to discuss the view on Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden, and Sin. By the way, I'm a 14 year old student who is writing this book, so my view of this book is a view of a YOUNG ADULT, not a mom's or dad's.
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