Rating: 
Summary: A fabulous conclusion to this wonderful trilogy...
Review: Pullman has done it - woven together all the disparate pieces of thread he laid out for us in the first two novels, "The Golden Compass" and "The Subtle Knife", into a stunning tapestry of magic and light. This conclusion to the series starts off with a shift of scene, drops us into one world after another, and ends up with a bang and a whisper (no spoilers in this review). I was not upset by the religious and theological questions posed in this novel (and series) as some other reviewers were. They were central to the plot, and not an attack on Christianity per se. I loved the ending (some of my friends did not) and felt it worked perfectly. I like books that make me think, which this one does with a vengance. I like fantasy that has depth and breadth, which this does in abundance. I like characters who mature and grow with the books, which these do, no question. All in all this book more than delivers on the promise of the first two, and like the best in fantasy it left me wanting to be able to cut a doorway there myself to go and experience it in person. Marvelous.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Pullman is...
Review: I liked The Golden Compass. I liked The Subtle Knife about half as much. I hurled The Amber Spyglass across the room and smack into a wall when I finished it. Philip Pullman is a master of suspense, and an excellent scholar, a deep thinker. He also has created a fantasy world teeming with so many imaginary creatures, cultures, and inventions that I don't know of (m)any living writers who could match his skill in this area. However, he is not a genius with language. His book could be edited much more. Some parts could be cut or related more quickly. Some loose chunks of the plot could be knocked firmly into place. Still, these aren't the reasons why I can't give this book even one star. The problem? He uses all his skills to mock the Christian church and God Himself. Can Mr. Pullman truly feel such devouring scorn, I wonder with despair. Were it possible for me to make an intercision between the Christian part of me and the other me, I could give this book a star or two. But with one whole soul, I must give it none. Please note the one star above is a lie.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite and it should be yours to!!!
Review: This was one of the best book's I've ever read. I love fantasy, and if you do to, I sugest you try authors like, Tamora pierce, or Patricia C. Wrede. This was my second favorite book, because i still think "The Golden Compass", was better. This is the third book in Philip Pullman trilagy "His Dark Materials". The first one is "The Golden Compass" (which is my favorite), the second one is "The Subtal Knife". There are a cupple of main caracters, their names are Lyra, Will, Mrs. Coulter, Lord Asriel, and Dr. Mary Malone. All these caractors don't live in the same world, but all the worlds are together, in the sense of being attached. Will poseses a knife (that was the main theme in the previous book), which can cut through anything on one side, and cut into other worlds with the other side.This is the story of all those caractors together fighting the bad guy. In this story the bad guy is thought to be God (also called the Authority), but in the end it turns out to be someone else. But you have to read the book to find out!! I hope you enjoy, it if you do read it. :)I didn't do a spell check so I'm sorry if any words are hard to read!! :)
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: If you thought The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife were great books, they pale in comparison with The Amber Spyglass. Let me go a little further..... First off, Pullman puts The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife together, with all of the puzzle pieces falling in place. Secondly, the plot was jawdropping. Again, The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife pale in comparison with this plot. Thirdly, the end is so heartbreaking and tear inducing that you have to be a nonhuman if the utmost sympathy doesn't arise in you. I don't want to give away much of the plot, so if you'll forgive me........... Oh yes, one more thing. You gotta be pretty open-minded about religion and God if you're gonna read this............
Rating:
Summary: The plot is complex and evolving
Review: Familiarity with the prior novels in 'His Dark Materials' is essential for an easy understanding of Book 3 of the series. The Amber Spyglass continues the adventures of Lyra and Will, who journey to a dark world while an amber spyglass involves the world in war and chaos. The plot is complex and evolving but counts on a background developed in the prior books.
Rating:
Summary: At the final page my one wish was to turn back to the first!
Review: It was with a mind and a heart bursting with love, remorse, and perhaps respect that I finally completd Pullman's stunning conclusion to the epic he began six long years ago. My spine still tingles from the images of beauty and sadness projected by this collection of stunning concepts. It is the firm belief of this reader that the purpose of this trilogy is best expressed by the the notion, "We must build the Republic of Heaven for ourselves." This is truly a masterpiece of hope for mankind in general. I could scarecely hope for a better ending to this story (although my heart cannot contain its pleas that somehow Lyra and Will should remain together!). I am awed by Pullman's masterful capability of pulling minute details of the first and second stories that, at the time, made little sense, and revealing to the reader the importance of these little hints and murmurings. It is a beautiful, yet terribly tragic truth that in the end the one open window should remain as a gateway to the world of the dead. However, all is for the best (as I must constantly remind my wailing soul) for in the final end Lyra and Will shall be together in the most complete and inseperable way possible. And yet, we must remember, this blessed release that comes with leaving the world of the dead can only be achieved if we live a full life -- an introspective, individual, inquiring life. I marvel at Pullman's hardly concelaed charge to fellow conscious beings to search out the truth with our minds and live by wisdom, not foolishness. The absolute sense of rightness that comes with the messages in the final passages of our story is nearly overwhelming to me. I wish so very much that all the world could read this book and be affected by it in much the same way. Doubtless, the earth would be a better place afterwards, and man would feel a little more complete -- a little more filled up. It is rarely found, amongst all the books out there, a story that can have such a profound effect on a person. I can hardly describe the strength it left me with -- the power that comes with the knowldge when one knows they are pretty close to how they want to devote their lives. Such a feeling of optimism abounded in my heart upon completion of this book, that I felt prepared to live an even fuller, faster-paced, more meaningful life than the one I already possess. 'Cos its like the book says, grace can only be achieved through wisdom -- but the kind of wisdom that comes with experience. I want to live it all. And who knows if maybe there isn't a world out here already where a young girl is running about the dense, shadowed streets of an Oxford very much like our own? . . .
Rating:
Summary: immense pleasure
Review: I have had the immense pleasure of reading Pullman's trilogy to my young son. I don't know if I would have gotten into it if I had known how rich and complex it was to become, but I am glad I did. Reading it with him has enriched my pleasure because it has led to countless discussions--not only about the ideas of religion, authority, love, loyalty, the soul, death, and friendship, but also about the craft of fiction. We expect to finish the book tonight and we will both be sad--not only about the pain inherent in the ending but also because we will lose the pleasure of the books. I don't know if I could have found the time to read this for myself, but I am glad I did. It rewards you for your attention, and for what you have read in the past. I am currently teaching a course on William Blake, and Pullman has done wonders with Blake's beautiful, disturbing and challenging poetry. Read Blake's prophetic works if you were moved by Pullman's fiction. If Blake were rolling over in his grave, it was only to get in a more comfortable position to read His Dark Materials for a longer time. I think His Dark Materials is far superior to Tolkein for this reason: Tolkein may have been the superior world builder, but Pullman's trilogy is intellectually richer and more deeply moving. Tolkein's universe was black and white: good hobbits and bad Orcs (a Blakean figure for revolutionary energy). In Pullman's world, Mrs. Coulter is able to save the world because she is so corrupt--which only convinces us of her goodness. Pullman's generosity to his characters (except for figures like Metatron, who seemed like a video game character to me) is worthy of one inspired by Blake. I was sad when we said good-bye to Frodo and company, but I will be haunted by Lyra, Will, Lee Scoresby, Balthamos, Iorek, Serafina, Lord Asriel, Pantalaimon (ah!).
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, poignant
Review: Easily one of the best books I've ever read. Pullman puts just about every other author to shame. Just be prepared for the end, I'll say no more.
Rating:
Summary: It deserves more than five stars
Review: In each of the first two excellent books in this excellent trilogy, the title objects were exquisitely crafted tools containing great power. In the Amber Spyglass, the title object is much cruder and less powerful. Its only function (or intention) is to allow a person to truly see. The same could be said of the entire novel. I will not list the details of the plot, but I will say that this book has changed my own way of seeing. The bravery and the sacrifices of Lyra and Will affected me as not much else ever has. Please buy these books and read them! If you are an adult and think you're too old for them; you're not! Or if you are a believer in the Christian faith and think you'll be offended--Read them and look beyond the depiction of the Christian Church. Please See the trilogy's real meaning--Enjoy life, Embrace knowledge and experience, and Cherish love.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful stuff
Review: this book was amazing! i just couldn't put it down, even though it was sad in some places it was the best material i've read in a long time. his dark materials completly equals the harry potter series, if not more so. and it is good reading for adults too. phillip pullman was really able to create a whole world with his writing and i think that if anyone is capable of that then their books deserve to be read.
|
