Rating: 
Summary: Breathtaking Trilogy Exploring Epic Good vs.Evil Battle
Review: I've read and loved all the Harry Potter books, and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and I have to say, Pullman surpasses them all. With effortless grace and an amazing imagination, Pullman essentially re-tells the story of the fall of man through the characters of two utterly real, conflicted and all too human children, Lyra and Will. They are pitted against dark forces, but are given some astonishing helpmates and tools with which to fight a battle for nothing less than the souls of all humanity. Assisted by Daemons and Angels, Lyra and Will seek the answer to a puzzling mystery - what is "Dust", and why is it spilling out of the universe? Pursued by some very determined and evil adults, Lyra and Will meet armored bears, flying explorers, and witches in their travels through parallel worlds to find the answer and elude their persecutors. Dark, richly imagined, occasionally terrifying, Pullman is a breathtaking storyteller. Young adults will love the fantastic creatures and situations Lyra and Will must surmount, and adults will get a kick out of references to Milton's Paradise Lost, and Dante's Divine Comedy. Young or old, this is a brilliant series of books best read in one juicy gulp.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful, thought-provoking book
Review: This is a book that works on so many levels. Though some here have said that it is a book for eleven years and older, I'd say to boost that up to thirteen or so. My reason? His Dark Materials questions the world, the existence of god, the character of good and evil, the meaning of love, the essence of childhood and growing up...deep issues that can only be appreciated by those older than elementary age. I first read this book when I was eleven myself and, though I enjoyed it, I did not fully comprehend it. I am fourteen now and, through re-reading, I have garnered the full beauty of it. All prospective readers should clear a few hours from their schedule for each book, find a comfortable chair, and read with an open mind. After reading, I recommend contemplating the questions posed instead of giving in and diving into the next book. This series deserves it. They are not fantasy books, they are philosophical works! Well, that is to say they are entertaining philosophical works.
Rating: 
Summary: His Dark Materials -- A classic?
Review: Pullman's fantasy trilogy "His Dark Materials" is an entertaining, original work which is worth reading. However, it appears that all the marketing stops have pulled out in order to make this work a manufactured classic. Comparisons to "The Lord of the Rings" etc. have been trotted out, and a fancy trade three-volume set is available for the Christmas market. Enough already! These books are well-written and fun; worth the price of admission. Classics, however, they are not. Time may prove me wrong, but I don't think publishers can manufacture greatness (pace boy bands). To readers: buy them and enjoy them. To the publishers: settle down! Casey Coleman, Ed.D.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating, Thilling, Mysterious and Frightening
Review: One day. I was walking around in a bookstore. My friend and I were doing a swap read: I decided to read the book she was so mad about as she decided to read a book I was mad about. After reading that book, I thought nothing would be able to follow it up. But how I was wrong...
Strolling through the shelves, I scoured the bookshelves for a writer called Pullman, and a book called Northern Lights(in Australia the Golden Compass is called Northern Lights). Finally I found it, wedged between the fantasy books. Suspicious as ever, I decided that I would sample the first chapter because my friend doesn't always agree with my taste of books...
But this time, I was proven wrong. The first chapter alone was a pageturner, and brought up many mysterious questions. I couldn't fight my curiosity, and in the end I had no choice but to buy the book.
But once I had finished Northern Lights, I would not stop there, buying the other two books.
Had I been sure of this book, I could have saved myself a lot of money by buying the boxed set, and I beg you not to make the same mistake now. Buy His Dark Materials Trilogy, you surely won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: These are my new favorite books
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this trilogy. A friend gave me Compass, which I loved. I promptly ordered the next two books which were even better. The type that I read just a little bit each night, savoring the story, until the last part of book 3, when I just couldn't put it down anymore. This is quite a compliment, as I usually have a hard time getting my feeble mind to embrace and follow stories that are not written in first person. Follow Lyra and Pantalaimon on their journey to the North. With them, meet the many terrifically developed characters that make this story such a joy to read.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing like Potter
Review: I see a number of people comparing this series to the Harry Potter books, when in fact they are not at all alike. Where Potter falls into the 'shallow adventure' category, the Pullman books harken back to when children's literature had a great deal to say. One reader referred to it as 'a polemic against the church,' and I leave it to you to determine if this is the case - I certainly found my breath taken away as the scale and scope of the story was revealed in the third book. His Dark Materials has an awful lot to say, and certainly isn't the candy-coated drivel so much of children's literature is today. It does have larger goals, and you may not agree with what's being said, but isn't that what literature is supposed to be about?
Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius! Heartbreakingly wonderful!
Review: This is my absolute favorite trilogy ever. I love Lord of the Rings, which I read previous to 'His Dark Materials'. Of course the Rings are a classic. The basis for most fantasy books. However, there is something truly unique about this particular fantasy trilogy. It's very postmodern. A book where you can't quite distinguish whether it should be for children or adults. But, in a good way. It is a wonderful combination of a fantasy that is brillantly whimsical and childlike, but it is not condescending to a young person's understanding of life. It is a wonderful coming of age trilogy. Great for age 11 and up. It is a MUST read, whether you agree with the criticisms or not. It is something that you have just got to read for yourself. It is heartbreakingly beautiful. My husband even cried at the end. I did too, but I can't figure if it was because of the story, or because it had to end! P.S. PLEASE ignore the previous review that makes comentary on christianity. They were burning Harry Potter books in parts of the world because they though that the "magic" was satanic. If you are going to read a fantasy, understand it is a FANTASY. We need to enjoy ourselves and not read so much into whether an author meant to make a commentary on religion or not. Books are to enjoy and you certainly will enjoy this one. Let your imagination run wild! It's a great one!
Rating: 
Summary: SLOW!
Review: These books were torture to read. I got through the first one and hoped that the second might pick up and be better. Wrong! I don't even want to read the third because I'd rather spend my time doing something else like sorting my sock drawer. On the same level as Harry Potter? I think not!
Rating:
Summary: Profoundly moral
Review: ... These books have profoundly moral points... These books are among the best young adult fantasy, and fantasy generally speaking, in existance. A profoundly good story coupled with excellent characters and vibrant imagination. One of the best works of 20th century fantasy. The only simlar books which come to mind are 'the last unicorn,' The earthsea books and perhaps 'the unlikely ones.' Buy these books in the hope that more like it are made.
Rating:
Summary: the golden compass
Review: This book is the BEST book I've ever read. It is written well and is a fabulous story.
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