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Summary: This book Rules!
Review: I'm usually the sort-of type that just reads cause I fell obligated to and the sort that has a diffrent sort of prepective for books but When I see this book I grab it and start reading for hours. If you like books that are a tinny bit complicated and questionning then this is the book for you.
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Summary: Gripping, moving, beautiful.
Review: Some reviews have been very harsh of this book. It is easily one of the best books that I have ever read. Never have I read a book that makes you feel as if the world around you was mystical and magic. The story doesn't distinctly draw lines between good and evil, which is nice to see. It is an uncommon tale, told with exquisite beauty. I don't think it's required for all tales to extol the wonders of being "for" or "against" anything. I think, rather, that this book is a tribute to the grey areas in everything, and how mistakes can be made, and remade and not be wrong or right, simply mistakes. This book will grip you, move you, and make you cry for more.
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Summary: Comparable to The Lord of the Rings & Harry Potter
Review: Wonderfully mastered world. Exceptionally fantastic concept of the daemons, and encorporating a balance between definition of fantasty and reality. Never have I wanted to BE someplace and felt I was experiencing it through the characters' eyes. A MUST READ for all who love Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings!! You will be pleasantly surprised!
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Summary: Lyra's Golden Compass
Review: This was an excellent book. Phillip Pullman has a spellbinding way of weaving the words of the story and pulling his reader directly into the story. While I listened (okay, I listened to it on tape) I could see Lyra's world slowly form in front of me: Mrs. Coulter, Jordan College, Lord Asriel, Bolvanger, Pan. I had a very clear picture in my mind as clear as a photograph. This book truly is amazing and original.
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Summary: An thrilling adventure, but not for everyone
Review: Before reading this book, I admit I was both thrilled and frightened by the reviews given. I read it anyway, and I am glad I did. The book features Lyra Belacqua, a 12-year-old living in a parallel universe that looks like our earth around 1880-1910. Most countries have counterparts there: England is very similar as is Oxford as well as Norway (spelled Norroway) and Svalbard. Tartars apparently rule over parts of Russia and offer their services for hire. There are gypsies (spelled gyptians); witches; and intelligent, armored bears. All humans (but not bears, much to the chagrin of the bear king) have daemons: like intelligent, animal familiars, their "better half" so to speak. When Lyra hides in a wardrobe and overhears her uncle, Lord Asriel, a powerful British noble, talk to his colleagues about his adventures in the North, she can't wait to go there. He isn;t so keen on her going there, and everyone seems plotting to keep her out of the action. Her guardian, the Master of Jordan College, gives her an alethiometer, a device that read the truth and answer seemingly any question she asks it. She is let go to serve Mrs. Coulter, the head of the Church's Oblation Board, but when Lyra finds out what her employer really does, she runs away to the gyptians who protect her. With the help of the gyptians John Faa and Farder Coram, they launch an expedition to the North to both recover children that have been stolen away and find Lord Asriel. In her final quest, Lyra gains the help of Texan (Texas is apparently and independent nation) aeronaut Lee Scoresby, armored bear prince Iorek Byrnison, and witch clan Queen Serafina Pekkala. Important to the story is the concept of "dust:" elementary particles that exist inside people when they become adults (and their daemons settle on one form). The existence of daemons (in their linked forms) seems to have an effect on dust, too. What is this myserious dust and what has it to do with the Auroras and other worlds? I really did like the story. Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon, who could change shape (since her was the daemon of a child) were good characters (though not the best). Mrs. Coulter and her henchmen were properly despicable (especially that golden monkey daemon). Lord Asriel was properly mysterious (an excellent scholar; a lousy father). The geogragphy of the novel is very good -- I liked the settings and different lands. My favorite characters by far were Farder Coram and Iorek Byrnison. Lyra was OK, but that street slang grated on me (even though I know that it was just part of the setting). I have to admit that the way she tricked the bear king Raknuson into fighting Iorek was wonderful. The book is a good story, but there are problems. I really didn't sympathize too much or like the characters, except Farder Coram and Iorek Byrnison. So many people were so selfish, but I guess that is the real world for you. Also, I agree with some reviewers that Lyra's world isn't too well fleshed out. Is their history similar in the past, too. What about the rest of the world? Also, what of the Church? It's based in Geneva? A Pope was named John Calvin? We have Protestant elements but still a unified church? I agree that the "Church" in the book is very self-serving and reprehensible. If Church fathers were more like "Farder" Coram, the world would be a better place. Mrs. Coulter and the Oblation Board are so frightened of "dust." They equate it to "origianl sin" and seek to stamp it out my cutting the link between daemon and child. Lord Asriel believes the same only he seeks to step into another world where dust comes from and eliminate it there. Both are fools. People alienate themselves form God through their actions (sin). Some elementary dust is not going to do that! That attitude is just an attempt to avoid responsibility. So, Asriel is defested before he can begin. Dust is really good! Adults need to teach children and guide them to maturity, but just being an adult does not make one right. Regarding those who felt that the book is anti-Christian, I am not so sure. The "church" in the book is not the same as that in our world or in reality. Even in this world, God can still be good. That is because the Bible, though inspired by God, was written by people with their own agendas. The Oblation Board has its own agenda: its concept of "God" is affected by the preverted beliefs of its members. So the true God still exists, and He has created dust which is just another manifestation of His power and glory. Unfortunately, neither Mrs. Coulter nor Lord Asriel have this proper understanding (nor does just about anyone in the story). The most noble characters are Farder Coram and Iorek Byrnison (Serafina Pekkala is noble enough, too). We will hope that Lyra will grown into a noble person. Is this a children's book? No. It could be read by young adults, but adults would understand all the imagery better. Read the book for its story, and take the theology with a grain of salt. I know that some of Pullman's thoughts bog the story down a bit (hence a lower star rating), but his other worlds do have potential. I hope he develops them better in the sequels.
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Summary: His Dark Materials Book 1: The Golden Compass
Review: This book is the best book in the world!! It is a must-read for all ages. It's got drama, action, fantasy, and science fiction. After you read it you'll be craving for more! If you have not read this book, read it now!! Heck, I think it's even better than Harry Potter!!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: ugh
Review: ... . It was slow-going and had too many made-up things that screw with your head, for example, the golden compass. It's called an alethiometer or something like it but you think the author could give it a shorter name like sod or poul. You could tell he/she had trouble explaining everything like the dæmons and the Dust. If it wasn't for the ending I could've given this book a 3 but that was just plain weird! I don't recommend it, especially since it's a long book.
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Summary: Atheism and hatred in a Young Adult package
Review: I find it difficult to believe that any comparison to Tolkien could be made in conjunction with this author. Tolkien was a highly literate, intelligent writer who wrote of good conquering evil and of ideals. Mr. Pullman is not and does not. It can be realized in the beginning of this book that Mr. Pullman does not hold the Church (whether Catholic or Calvinistic) in very high regard. That's understandable. I am a Christian and do not hold to either dogma. But that's neither here nor there. What is relevant is that this book is no more than an attack, of Christianity in particular and on organized religion in general, hidden in the disguise of a Young Adult novel. Mr. Pullman has every right to express his opinions about religion. He has every right to hate religion as well. I can not deny him that. However, I call into question his right to present his views not to his peers and equals in knowledge and experience but to disseminate this fodder to those whose worldviews are not as mature or as stable as his own. I do not know Mr. Pullman's religious background. I could hazard a guess but won't. I do know that the theology put forth in this series is weak and ungrounded. The first sighting of this is later in the book when Lord Asriel (which means oddly enough for this story, 'Help of God') quotes from an oddly familiar story about Adam and Eve though including daemons and then states that the text is corrupt. It was at this point that I knew that the author was not just using the Church as a backdrop for that story but as a target. Mr. Pullman does however see some good in the world. Witchcraft, Shamanism, Animism, and other pseudo-religious belief systems are very powerful and obviously better for humankind than God and Christianity could ever be. The hatred that is put forth in this book is disturbing and in the second book it only accumulates. I can not recommend this book, not for young adults and especially not for children. For adults it is entirely up to you. But do not be fooled by the wrappings. This is not a happy tale of adventure and fantasy. It is a deliberate attack on Christianity. At the Random House website there is an author Q&A for Philip Pullman (http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pullman/philippullman/qanda.html) where he responses to the question:
'What stance do the books take? 'Underlying the trilogy there is a myth of creation and rebellion, of development and strife, and so on. I don't make this myth explicit anywhere, but it was important for me to have it clear in my mind. It depicts a struggle: the old forces of control and ritual and authority, the forces which have been embodied throughout human history in such phenomena as the Inquisition, the witch-trials, the burning of heretics, and which are still strong today in the regions of the world where religious zealots of any faith have power, are on one side; and the forces that fight against them have as their guiding principle an idea which is summed up in the words The Republic of Heaven. It's the Kingdom against the Republic. 'And everything follows from that. So, for instance, the book depicts the Temptation and Fall not as the source of all woe and misery, as in traditional Christian teaching, but as the beginning of true human freedom something to be celebrated, not lamented. And the Tempter is not an evil being like Satan, prompted by malice and envy, but a figure who might stand for Wisdom. 'The myth has allowed me to link together many aspects of the story in a sort of invisible way which might not be apparent to the reader, but which I have found helpful. For example, it explains where dæmons come from, and what happens when we die, and why there are many universes. 'And if certain Christian critics are confused by this, and imagine I'm denying the difference between good and evil, then all I can say is that I shall pray for them. My question then is, to whom? To whom do you pray, Mr. Pullman?
Rating:
Summary: Try it, you wont be disapointed.
Review: I must say I started to read this book with the awareness the the last book before it was Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. At first it seemed to me it was yet ANOTHER story about magic, and alternate universes and kids. Well, yes... and no. The book does have those elements, alas, it also has a terrific narrative style, a wonderful mixture of diverse cultures and a strong character lead. I was surprised to keep reading it with more and more interest as I advanced through the pages. Delight and amusement came to me, with this fast paced and trilogy written epic. It has witty mistery and serious action all along it. I longed for a daemon myself, by page six! Just remember, it is a trilogy, so, don't do what I did myself, and buy the three books alltogheter, or at least the first two at the same time.
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Summary: Witches, Bears and Dust, Oh my!
Review: I was really, really impressed with this book! I was amazed by the plot and the descriptions. I also loved the twists and turns featured in this book, which made it a pleasure to read. I have to say this is one of the most inventive children's novels that I have ever read.
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