Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful end to Lyra's adventures
Review: It was so sad. .. i must admit. I was moved to tears at the last scenes of this book. It was a thrilling read but I thought that the series was getting a little boring towards the end. Perhaps I was out of the mood because it had been such a long time since I had read the previous two books. Neverhteless, it was a good read. Some parts seemed to drag on forever. But hey if you have read the first two books... definately definately finish off the series and find out the conclusion. Well written.
Rating: 
Summary: stunning
Review: Although both of the first two books in this series are good, it is in the third and final book that you begin to realise just what it is Philip Pullman has achieved. No simple tale is this, instead charting the history and destiny of a thousand worlds, all locked together by the events of Northern Lights and The Subtle Knife.
Taken at it's simplest level, this tells the story of two children growing up, and the titanic events that surround them are simply an incidental, albeit compelling, element. But this is too straightforward.
On another level, that story is a retelling of the book of Genesis, complete with the fall of man, and his possible salvation. In this way of looking at the story, it becomes more all embracing, and no less powerfull.
But even this description fails to fully justify the breadth of the book, as it can be perceived on so many levels. Who is God in the book? Is it the angels? The all covering Dust? Then again, who plays the role of Adam? Is it the impenetrable and capable Will? The uncontrollable Lyra? Possibly her father? Or, once again, is it the Dust?
The book leaves you filled with these kind of questions, and yet absolutely sure that it is one of the most complete stories you will ever read, telling a tale so incredible, and at times moving, that to miss it would be to loose out on one of the best books ever written, and I defy you to tell me different.
Go on. Buy it and see...
Rating:
Summary: Nothing can ever describe this captivating story...
Review: From the very first page I was hooked. I had recently read the other two in the series as a recomendation from my Language Arts teacher, and there are no words that could ever describe this book. Now, I am a magnificent reader well beyond my years (not to brag or anything(, but I can say I have never read any book quite like this. The book brings back some old mysteries, like Dust from the other books, so if you have not read the others than this one might confuse you. The closest thing to this book would probably be Harry Potter, so If you've read those, GET THIS BOOK NOW!!!
Rating:
Summary: fitting conclusion to an excellent fantasy trilogy
Review: There are two kinds of great stories -- those that fit seamlessly into the body of thought and make you wonder why no one thought of it before, and those that are remarkably imaginative and compelling and make you wonder how the author thought it up at all. Pullman's trilogy fits into the latter category. He is a fine writer -- balancing multiple story lines that interconnect and support each other; each character is well drawn, complex and believable; situations are dramatic and interesting.This final installment of Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is not disappointing. It lives up to the preceding volumes, which is a rarity in serial publications (even Tolkien fell down a bit with Return of the King). I was prepared for a rotten ending after reading many criticisms of it in the reviews here, but I liked the ending -- bittersweet, tragic and hopeful all at once. I would say that the only thing I didn't like was that Lyra slept through one-third of the book! Without giving any spoilers I will say that there are several scenes that are as emotionally packed as anything I've read. Two notes: (1) People who DO put spoilers into their reviews should warn or label them as such beforehand. (2) Frankly, zealotry is tiresome, and it would be nice if commentaries did not have to include reviewers' belief systems. Can't you just relax and read for enjoyment? This book is in the *fantasy* genre. Get it? Open your mind a little bit and don't be so threatened by ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story
Review: I have enjoyed the entire series of 'His Dark Materials'. The story is intriguing and thought-provoking. The characters have amazing depth and are so easy to relate to. I gave this series to my husband, who has turned down all the kids' books I've given him before and even he has greatly enjoyed this series. The story encourages readers of all ages to think for themselves, but most importantly to think about life and its meaning and importance. The most amazing part is that the book was able to encourage a spiritual perspective on life without isolating the story to one particular religious sect's experience. It's more about the human religious experience, which starts at a very young age, but so few kids books approach it. I cannot sing this author's praises enough.
Rating:
Summary: Okay, so now ppl are BURNING it?! IT'S A BOOK, NOT A LOG!
Review: (...) This book's views have had a great impact on me because they are concrete versions of what I have believed in for the last several years. No one can say that the Church-- ANY Church-- is not corrupt or hypocritical to SOME extent. I personally have problems with established religion because so many people have been trying to cram it down my throat since before I understood what a church was. Perhaps you can see how this revolutionary, thought-provoking, rebellious, totally unique novel can affect so many of us so dearly-- because in a semi-fundamentalist Christian world, some of us just *need* a breath of fresh, radically different air. (...)
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book, whoever doesn't like it, listen to this
Review: For whoever thinks this book is sacreligous nonsnse, shame on you. Phillip Pullman is trying to express his ideas on what God is and what angels are and things like that. whoever said Pullman is sacreligious should be more open about religion and other beliefs.
Rarley has a book ever made me cry. in fact this is the only book. when Lyra left pan, i was in tears. when she and will parted, i was devastated. for anyone who thinks Will jumped Lyra and was rude, well, it was a mutual decision, and they both realized that they loved each other. what did you expect him to do? say, "I want to kiss you now. may i?"
This book is definitley my favorite in the series. it kept me captivated to the point when i couln't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: This is the dramatic end to the great series.
Review: If you're anything like me, a fantasy fanatic, then you'll know just how good 'His Dark Materials' Book I and II were.
This however is mindblowing. From the start, where it takes off from where 'The Subtle Knife' (Book II) left off, it is adrenaline pumping. In the middle of the book, it IS a big book (600 and something pages.) It does give one or two chapters on some people from the church that plot to kill Lyra, although those chapters are short, they are incredibaly DULL. Anyway, this book gets very exciting. I did find the bits with Mary and the mulefa quite tedious, but thats my opinion. Now I shouldn't keep dissing this book when i've given it four stars!!!!!
So the good bits. The way it's written is superb. When Lyra must travel into the world of the dead and has to leave her daemon behind, well, I was in tears! It's so heartwrenching, I was crying through the whole chapter, the pain Lyra had to go through is so real. Phillip Pullman is a VERY talented writer. Lets hope further books from him are just as excellent. Buy this book. But read the first two first!;-)
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: It's rare that an author can pull a series together in the end, and have a happy ending, yet, not one that is not fairy tale, everything as perfect as can be. Pullman managed to do this, and I respect and enjoyed this conclusion to The His Dark Materials Collection even more because of it. This series had me hooked from the very start, Pullman never writing a word that would not be crucial to the plot at a later point, and drawing it to a conclusion that made me cry, but left me satisfied in the end. This is not a series for the easily offended, because as you can see, some feel it is a bash on Christiany, (I didn't feel that at all however) but if you do read it with an open mind, you will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I read the Golden Compass....and then a while after, came across the Subtle Knife....which made me go back to The Compass, and then on to the Amber Spyglass. I am definitely going to re-read this book, because in my opinion, there is a whole lot going on which is hard to grasp the first time. I have to say, that at this point, the first two books grabbed me more, but I enjoyed the Spyglass, and will read it again. In any case, I truly believe that this trilogy stands out among all the bland sci-fi-fantasy books out there, which drag on and on. In fact, I think it would make a great movie, too!
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