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Summary: Parental Guidance Suggested!
Review: Although touted as a new children's series in the tradition of Tolkein, Philip Pullman's enchanting read is just that, enchanting. The reader is drawn into this exciting and mystery-filled fantasy by the adventures and exploits of Lyra and her companion Will. Though a discerning adult can perceive Pullman's underlying message, children are unable to separate truth and reality from the story. The trilogy ("The Golden Compass" and "The Subtle Knife") begins innocently enough as the reader is encouraged to seek for truth, but when the truth is revealed to be a "lie," innocence is lost. "The Amber Spyglass" causes us to question the Church, her teachings and God Himself. (From the book page 445: "And I took the crucifx from around my neck and threw it into the sea. That was it. All over. Gone " - spoken by the character Mary, an adult, an authority figure.) Any parent who chooses to bring their child up in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord," should be cautioned about Pullman's trilogy. Enchanting it is. . . "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
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Summary: Misunderstood Beauty and Complexity: His Dark Materials
Review: This is not only a review of The Amber Spyglass, but a review of the whole series (Amazon.com really should have this) His Dark Materials. Philip Pullman, in this series, has given us a new view on things, a startling view, but one with truth in it, and I think that he deserves credit for that. He also deserves credit for writing the story in such a beautiful way. For me, Philip Pullman has given his view on religion and how it's impacted people and I appreciate that, unlike some people. I like seeing things a different way and if some people can't, then they are keeping their mind closed and unable to experience new things. Not only has Philip Pullman told an amazing and exciting story but he has done it with a deeper purpose than just entertainment as some writers do. I hope people can realize this.
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Summary: Earth Shattering
Review: This is the ONLY book that has ever made me cry. That says a lot. Pullman brings his earth shattering series to a spellbinding end. It is truly fantastic. This book also challenged me to think about my faith, and my morals, and my goals. Pullman brought the book to the best ending imaginable, however sad it was. To those who think that this is a sacrilege, I strongly disagree. Pullman does not attack faith, just ignorance. Those who do not question, who follow because they are told to follow, are the root of the evil in this book. Besides, this is only a book. A work of fiction. It is not the end all, and it doesn't have to change what you believe. However, I am strongly disposed to agree with many of his views. I truly adore this book. It is one of the best books I have ever read. Pullman's strongest truth; one of the strongest truths I have ever come across actually is that where we are right now is most important. Not the past or the afterlife; this is moment is the greatest of them all. You will not regret reading this book.
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Summary: Great Conclusion
Review: The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman is the great conclusion in the His Dark Materials trilogy- the trilogy that began with The Golden Compass and was continued in The Subtle Knife. Lyra and Will, the heroes from earlier books, face even greater challenges in this edition. Great discoveries about Dust are made, and we see returns of favorite characters, including Mary Malone, Serefina Pekkala, Iorek Byrnison, and "bad guys" Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel. The witches' prophecy is fulfilled, and Lyra and Will must journey into the dankest, darkest world yet- the world of the Dead. Some friends, who had died in previous books, make a reapearance. New friends and allies are met, including Balthamos, Chevalier Tialys and the Lady Salmakia. A great story of sacrifice, adventure, love, friendship, allies, and just about everything else, The Amber Spyglass is sure to thrill all who turn these pages.
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Summary: Ambitious Series Ends on a High Note
Review: Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass (the final installment in his His Dark Materials trilogy) puts the cap on a titanic achievment. Through this series he has weaved adventure, religion, fantasy, philosophy, action and many other elements to create a truly unique storyline. Some of the elements do not blend easily and it is in the second volume that everything comes together with the greatest ease and effect. This final volume is a little philosophy and exposition heavy at times and it can said that the ending for some of the characters is anti-climatic as loose ends are quickly tied up. But these are minor quibbles compared to some of the thrills in this third volume, such as the horrifying Land of the Dead and the Gallivespians. This is a book that will upset many people with inflexible, conservative religious viewpoints but it will be a joy and a challenge to anyone with an imagination. The journey is exciting and the lessons are profound. This is the birth of new children's classic.
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Summary: Very well written;but hard to deal with in places.
Review: Well,I have read the series(and they should be read in order in this case) because it kept coming up as a classic.It is not necessarily a recommendation to me - it usually would involve a lot of thinking :).I have not read this as a religious view - I read it as a fantasy using familiar symbols.I think some parts in it are not going to be correctly understood by younger readers;I do not think I would have understood it.It is very well written,and the ending was unexpected until the last few pages.Well,what can I say - it's a classic!
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Summary: where's the ending??????????
Review: This is one of the best books out there and a satisfing ending to the series and will have you gasping the whole way.... But still a must have for a fan of the series.
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Summary: Intellectually challenging, thrilling, but a weak conclusion
Review: This tightly written series keeps you glued to every page. It is an intellectual and spiritual challenge for both the adolescent and the adult, raising intriguing issues about the natures of: the soul, God, religious institutions, death, angels, the universe, love, sexual morality, and the nature of parenting. Unfortunately, the ending of the series, found in this book, is disappointing. By choosing one view of God and of death, the author fails to conserve the essential beauty and mystery of these things. It would have been better to leave certain questions unanswered. I am hoping that, despite this being a trilogy, there will be a fourth book. The opening is definitely there for it. I am also hoping that, in a later book, the author will find some way of mitigating the simplistic views of certain spiritual issues presented in The Amber Spyglass.
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Summary: A Thrilling conclusion
Review: What started out as a simple journey for a little girl in The Golden Compass grew to a more complex plot and theme in The Subtle Knife and finally in this book, expands to a universal crisis resting in the hands of a few main characters. Each character is so complex, that the terms "evil" and "good" cannot be assigned, the thoughts and emotions are realistic and the motives are expressed well. Perhaps the most amazing element of this book is Pullman's ability to intertwine at first seemingly unrelated ideas and plot developments. For example, Lyra's destiny at first glance does not seem to make any sense, but as the prophecy reveals it self truthful, the reader is awed at the author's ability. Definately a keeper.
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Summary: Playing with religion can be dangerous, but still...
Review: Interesting reviews everyone gave. It isn't you either love it or hate it: some people are caught in the middle. I read that one reviewer even burned the copy. Okay so you're offended and you don't like it...but what a waste. People like being dramatic and hasty like that. Oh well. Anyway, I can understand how some people can be offended by this (it is saying that God is a liar and isn't the creator), but it's only Philip Pullman's view. You don't have to agree with it. This also means that you don't have to burn the book or throw it across the room or stomp on it or cut it to little pieces or flush it down the toilet. Okay, I've given you people too many ideas. I'll stop. The point is you shouldn't be so affected by a piece of fiction if you don't want to be. Now, some other reviewers said that there were some pointless parts of the book (particularily the Mary Malone and Mulefa parts and the whole assination thing). I somewhat agree. But those scenes were also crucial. Mary discovered stuff about Dust that Lyra and Will couldn't have since they were on their little journey to the Land of the Dead. The Mulefa were strange but interesting. Yes, we could've done without some scenes, but not all. The assination thing I could've definately could've done without because it went nowhere. My view on this is: If it's not going to do something important to the plot, then don't put it in. If Mary was killed or at least there was something bigger done with it, then I would've been satisfied. Some people also didn't like the end of the book or thought the beginning was slow. The beginning was slow but very descriptive and beautiful. People called the end the easy way out or not at all wrapping things up at all. I think Philip Pullman wanted to leave things open. That's a theme of the trilogy. Everything is open to new possibilities and new starts and hope for something better. As for the easy way out thought, I half-agree. It's hard to end a huge series like this, though, and end it well. I wished that Philip Pullman had fully closed up Will's and Mary Malone's problems in their world as I'm sure some people did. But it's Philip Pullman's story and he did it the way he wanted to. Everyone can go destroy the book in any number of ways they want or write the conclusion in their own way, but this is the story. No changing it.
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