Rating: 
Summary: This is NO NARNIA!
Review: OK, first of all, these books are extraordinarily well written. Wow. Powerful, effective, imaginative imagery with plot twists and turns that just don't let you put the books down. HOWEVER ... as you read further and further into the books, you come to find that though the Smithsonian Magazine (as quoted in the book's praise section) compares author Pullman to C.S. Lewis and Tolkein, his theology is about as far from those two geniuses as it can get. The third book is particularly disturbing, with one of the characters, a former nun, telling two just-barely adolescents, "I used to be a nun, you see. I though physics could be done to the glory of God, till I saw there wasn't any God at all and that physics was more interesting anyway. The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that's all." But in my view, these books would disturb anyone from any religion that leaves room for a god and/or heaven and hell. So many other themes in the book act as a slap in the face to those who believe in religion -- particularly Christians. I could go on, but I'll end by saying I would discourage any young person from reading these books, and I wouldn't even recommend them to adults. It's too bad; the story lines are phenomenal, but the themes are so disturbing that when I finally broke out of my denial (surely this is going to turn around at some point, and we'll find out all these characters are wrong), I was just plain disappointed and at times taken aback and disturbed.
Rating:
Summary: horrible
Review: So God is the bad guy. Not man. Not Satan. God's the bad guy. He needs to be overthrown so mankind can experience "pleasure" and "freedom" (without guilt I guess). And our buddies, The Fallen Angels, are really the good guys. See, they've been looking out for us all these millenia. Every bit of pleasure and self-will has had to be wrestled away from God by the denizens of hell. Because they care so much about us. Whew...I wish I was joking. So let's see...God CREATED the universe but if we disgruntled ingrates collect a few magic goodies we can overthrow Him and do things the way we like? In what universe does that even sound like a plausible storyline??? At first I tried to ignore the ridiculous premise behind these books because Pullman weaves an intriguing tale. But after 2 books I just couldn't stand how absurd and offensive this premise is. Maybe Pullman "pulls" something out of the air at the end to try to staunch the bleeding, but I wasn't about to hang around to find out. And the thought of children reading this anti-religious propaganda made me cringe. These books are not for children. I could not believe I found them in the Juvenile section of the library. Not even young adult...juvenile. Much of the subject matter is definitely not appropriate for children. I guess the publishers knew this would never fly as an adult fantasy. And it's a shame, because Mr. Pullman really is very talented. Absurd, offensive and not for kids.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is easily the best series I have ever read. It contains battles between god and mankind, and many other elements. When I put down the third book I was sad because there was no more. A girl named Lyra is given a compass type gadget which she learns to use, it is very usefull. A Boy named Will discovers a knife which might be the coolest thing ever made in a book. This series has an amazing plot, having twist and turns and blindsiding you with the unexpected. The series has action, love, passion, and the true desire to fix the unfixable. The connection the reader has with the characters is a huge bond. This book may be a little dark for some people, so if you want to laugh all day go read Dave Barry (A very funny guy). I could not put these down, and everyone I know says the could not either. Read these, love these, and you will agree, the best book ever written can be bought on Amazon. It's definatley HIS DARK MATERIALS.
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly interesting and engaging...real magic.
Review: i don't read sci-fi. i don't read lord of the rings, nor have i finished the first harry potter book. i first picked up 'the golden compass' with strong reccommendations from a good friend of mine. i was reluctant at first, but within the first fifteen pages i was swept up and intrigued by this psuedo-historical fantasy setting. it's not fantasy. it's as if one took reality and moved it an inch to the right. perfect and beautiful. never before have i so eagerly anticipated the release of a trilogy. am forever a devoted fan of the 'his dark materials' trilogy. gorgeous, romantic, and nostalgic somehow. good god.
Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi? Fantasy? Or just a great trilogy?
Review: Much like the classic "A Wrinkle in Time," this three-part adventure is an exotic blend of both genres. It's sci-fi because of the main themes (traveling between universes), but it's fantasy in supporting themes (the dæmons, talking animals, etc. are all fantasy related things.) But just because these amazing books cannot be fairly placed into a category doesn't rule them as bad books. In fact, this is one of my favorite series I have ever read, and to me they compete strongly with the Harry Potter series. There are so many lessons taught in this book that it makes me realize why they had always been destined for young adults. These ages (between 11-14) are ages of extreme importance in life, where you are not yet a teenager but not a kid, either. You are stuck in this middle-place where you have to learn your own lessons, develop your own views, devise right from wrong, and ultamitely find out "who you are." Which is why these books helped me so much. You've got it all here: you learn about guilt and its effects, about risk-taking, about loyalties, about betrayal, about anger, and vengeance, and love, and friendship, and trust, and decison-making, and family. On our adventures with Lyra Belacqua through the tundra of the North, we watch her lose her naïveness of childhood and watch her gain some adult attributes. Every mistake she makes, every blunder, we see: we are there to see her try to fix it and watch her pay the price. Book One was a fun-filled, enthralling ride that couldn't be put down. More and more mysteries and answers begged to be answered so the reader has no choice but to read. Book Two is much the same. It's very thrilling, and exciting, and we watch Lyra develop and mature and grow even more. It is in this book where she loses her "the world is so cruel, I have to conquer it and find my father" attitude, and instead has a more determined but smart view on life, basically realizing she must end the craziness in her life but also realizes that there are other important aspects of living. She learns about companionship when the outspoken Will Parry crosses her path, and he, too, is a young and eager human who also is seeking something. Book Three is my personal favorite, only because of the evolvment of the caracters and the quality of the writing. Will and Lyra are determined as ever to finish what they started. More characters enter; loyalties strengthen; Lyra is almost an adult. She is intelligent and brave and is fighting a hard battle and is constantly forced to make hard decisions. Pullman's skills are at its greatest here; never before had the characters seemed so real, never before had I felt so much for them, never before had each and every question been answered. Everything, from the strange Dust to Lyra's past, is revealed. The suspense dies down. In a strange way, the evil characters don't seem so evil and the good characters don't seem so good, but it seems now that Pullman is done explaining, done identifying, done describing his world. By book Three, the world is complete and vivid with its "realness" that his work is done and no more books need to be written. The story is told and is finished. Lyra and Will's lives, post the Amber Spyglass, are left unknown. don't want to reveal everything, since the books are so good and the ending is so touching that I'd ruin it by revealing any more details. Botom line, a unique story, great character development, and great plot. Pullman's dæmons are simply the most intersting and lovely things every created (I wanted one quite badly after Book One.) This series is one that will appeal to nearly everyone and even adults can appreciate the great story Philip Pullman writes.
Rating:
Summary: A trilogy that deserves a place next to "Lord of the Rings"
Review: These books left me breathless. Rarely can you read something with as well-realised world (even worlds) as this one. We start in a kind of Victorian Oxford in a world were people have damons - which, while being separate, are a part of human being (it's too hard to explain this in several words, but it's not very comlicated, really). Our heroine is Lyra - a small girl, who will soon go on a great journey. Though it may sound like a kiddie book it is NOT. The book is mature in tone (espesially in later volumes) and may be not suitable for younger kids. For example, there is a scene where a bear catches and eats a seal. While not graphic, it's not something you'll often find in a book for children. One of the strongest points of the trilogy is that it doesn't follow standard structure. For example, we won't meet some of the main characters untill the second book, and the third volume also holds enough surprises and new characters. The books not only give us a wonderful universe, but also raise some questions, including religion and church which make some of the readers brand the books as anti-christian. In my opinion, this is not the case. Then again, if you consider books about Inqusition or "DaVinci Code" a threat to your fate, then you won't like this one. But, really, you should try to change your viewpoint, 'cause you will be missing a lot!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful series, not an attack on religion
Review: This series presents a number of serious and deep issues, but does so in a fantastic, thrilling, and engrossing way. I would recommend theses books to anyone who has an open mind and will not narrowly confuse a beautiful fantasy story with an attack on religion. I think it raises some interesting points about religion, that's for sure. As a Catholic I was impressed at the way some of the topics were presented but I never once thought it was an attack on religion. It may have presented some criticims, but that is no reason to dismiss the book. Rather it is a reason to read it and see if you agree or disagree, it will make you think.
Rating:
Summary: Not an attack on Christianity
Review: To all the Christians who believe that this is a heretic book, I would ask you to please look a little closer and realize that the God in the story does not model the God of our religion. Rather, like Plato's Republic, it is a demonstration of the weakness of an idea. This book shows us that deities are in no way physically alike or connected to mortal beings and, in fact, shows us God's transcendence of our reality. Phillip Pullman is an intellectual person who takes time to think about his beliefs rather than going along with everyone else.
Rating:
Summary: Wow.
Review: This is my favorite fantasy series of all time. Incredibly engrossing and inventive, it's an easy read while still having very deep ideas and valuable meaning.
Rating:
Summary: This is one badger of a book.
Review: This is one top banana book, yes, at the end there is romance, but it is so well fitted into the story, you are conviced it is real. it is so well written you drawn into a world of daemons, spectres, witches. Oh, this is pure masterpice.i'm 13.
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