Rating: 
Summary: His Dark Materials
Review: If you want a review on the content of these books, don't look here. You can find reviews on the content of this series all over the place if you look else where on this site. I just want to say that this is a nice edition of the His Dark Materials series (there is no way to make that sound anymore awkward). I really like the thickness of these books. The pages are nice and sturdy, and I really like the illustrations by philip Pullman that head each chapter.
Rating:
Summary: Not Ordinary Fantasy
Review: The typical stereotype of a work of fantasy is a good guy pitted against a bad guy in a magical battle to save the world.
This is certainly NOT that. These were truly some of the best books I have read. These aren't just simple fantasy books for children or teens; these will be enjoyable and thought-provoking even to parents. It is true to realistic events and real characteristics. No character is purely good or evil. The books seem so real you forget that it's fiction after a few pages. It all seems possible. Subtle debates about issues applicable to real life carry through the trilogy. It starts with us meeting Lyra, the female character that we soon grow to care about greatly. She lives in a world that is very similar to ours, but also different. There are daemons, physical embodiments of our souls. Witches, some for Lyra and some against, intelligent animals like armored bears, and more are abound. And then, there's this all-important particle nicknamed as Dust...what exactly is it? And all this is only in the first volume. As Pullman tells us before the start of TGC, "The second begins in the universe we know, and then it and the third volume will move between the universes." Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Not Ordinary Fantasy
Review: The stereotype of fantasy is a good guy pitted against a bad guy in a magical battle to save the world.
This is certainly NOT that. These were truly some of the best books I have read. These aren't just simple fantasy books for children or young adults; these will be enjoyable and thought-provoking even to the parents. It is true to realistic events and real characteristics. No character is purely good or evil. The books seem so real you forget that it's fiction after a few pages. It all seems possible. Subtle debates about issues appliable to real life carry through the trilogy. A word of caution, however: some material may be offensive to Christians, though I have seen few who were offended and would suggest reading it with an open mind. The material is open to interpretation.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This is my all time favorite book. The world rises so many questions and things I think would be cool if they were real. This book is very exciting and creates a whole second world in which most of it takes place.
This book was so great I couldn't put it down and when I finished it I HAD to read the sequel, then the next. When I learned by the third book that was it I was very disapionted. I reallly liked this book.
It's Great
Rating:
Summary: Completely different young adult fiction
Review: These novels are some of the most impressive young adult novels I have ever read. Pullman has written stories that can appeal to adolescents as well as adults. Almost as soon as beginning the The Golden Compass I was drawn into caring for the young characters and couldn't wait to find out what would happen to them. These books are definetly not for young childen, these are not Harry Potters. However that is what makes the stories so compelling. The reader does not know what is coming and how the story will end. As a devout reader on young adult fiction it was a relief to finally read novels with a decidely adult twist, stories that did not "dumb down" for their audience. All in all a thouroughly engrossing read.
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Harry Potter...
Review: His Dark Materials has the fantastical elements like the Harry Potter books but it has more young-adult themes and content. Pullman purposely turns the concept of 'good vs. evil' on its head, making it a tale that not only entertains, but helps introduce young people to adult themes. Read Harry first, then move on to these books.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing and Incredibly Original
Review: Pullman is one of the most gifted fantasy writers of the 20th century. Unlike Tolkein whose focus on creating a world causes him to neglect plot and characterization, Pullman creates an elaborate world (universe), tells an amazingly original story and develops wonderful characters (esp. Will who first appears in book 2).
As an historian whose work focuses on Calvinism, I was especially impressed by Pullman's creation---a world in which the Calvinist Reformation succeeded (what a scary place that would have been!). Many critics claim Pullman's work is anti-Christian but it is more of an attack against clerical institutions than an attack against religious belief per se (and ironically, the rebellion which Lyra, her father and Will stage and participate in establishes an alternative religion---that is a world without a God but which has an afterlife---if only b/c it claims that there is no afterlife). The details in this story are fantastic. I loved the idea of a world where one's soul is visible and takes on the attributes of the character (I esp. liked the fact that one's daemon assumes a permanent form in puberty). Lyra is a wonderful character---no, she is not likeable but frankly, her likeability is irrelevant. What is key is her mission (here Pullman seems to cheat a little---he denies the idea of Calvinist predestination but Lyra's fate is, to some degree, pre-determined). This book is not intended for young children. I would recommend it to 14 and 15 year olds---and even then you should be fairly well-read if you want to grasp all of the subtle nuances of the book. That said, I strongly recommend the book to adolescent girls. Lyra is a great role model for young girls (her bravery, her intelligence and even her conviction that she is right are characteristics which young girls need to recognize are acceptable and even valuable).
Rating:
Summary: One of the best ever
Review: I loved these books! I've never written an online review before, but I felt like I had to throw my 2 cents in. First of all, what I think makes these books great is that they are completely original. Most good fantasy is written with heavy influence from other authors, Tolkien in particular. Pullman has created something that stands alone and shouldn't have to be compared to anything else. This is not classic fantasy. It's also not typical young-adult fiction. To address some of the other reviews: no, it's not funny like Harry Potter, and no, it's not religion-friendly like CS Lewis. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. If you're very religious and easily offended, expect to be offended. I personally don't think the average under-13-year-old should read these, either. However, if what you want is an involving and heartfelt story that makes you feel and think and dream, then I've never read anything better. Also recommend: Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, Lloyd Alexander, Harry Potter.
Rating: 
Summary: BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD(s)
Review: haha... well you should DEFINITLY get this book! the best fantasy fiction thriller i've ever read! best book i've ever read, for that matter... the characters, storyline, plot, everything is just perfect! (well i didn't like the end of the third book that much, but thats just my opinion... but get them anyway! lol
Rating:
Summary: Okay get over the hang up with his stand on religion already
Review: I love this trilogy and have gotten all of my friends who read to read it to. It must say something that there are already 150 reviews on this book!! I think his opinion of religion is right on. Just look at what has happened historically. I disagree with some though I think the main protagonist is great, she is brave, thoughful, caring and tough. I wonder if she was a man if people would not like her more. I am hooked on reading all of his works right now. Interesing review this month in Vanity Fair on him, and he was covered in BBC all month. Very though provoking. With the violence on television that is prevalent I see no harm in a mature child reading this trilogy. Enjoy!!
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