The Amber Spyglass

This book has the awkward task, like so many fantasy epics, of tying up all of the loose ends generated by all the books before it. LOTR did it, HP did it, and this one does it as well. However, these moments of awkwardness do not take away from the brilliance of the series in any way. The book and the series are amazing, thought-provoking, and well worth the time. English majors, fans of...more

This book has the awkward task, like so many fantasy epics, of tying up all of the loose ends generated by all the books before it. LOTR did it, HP did it, and this one does it as well. However, these moments of awkwardness do not take away from the brilliance of the series in any way. The book and the series are amazing, thought-provoking, and well worth the time. English majors, fans of "Paradise Lost" and William Blake buffs are going to love reading this, putting together what Pullman has done, and comparing what he has changed from the "established" story and what he hasn't. Never thought I'd say this, but growing up Catholic broadened my reading of the books as well :). Who knew. An interesting point, speaking of Catholicism -- Nicole Kidman, a devout Catholic (wonder what she did married all those years to Tom Cruise) says that she could not be a part of the upcoming movies if she thought the books were in any way anti-Catholic. I don't think the books are anti-Catholic at all, at least not in the way I conceive of Catholicism, but if you're on my friends list and you're reading this I'd be interested to hear what you think! All thoughts aside, this is an incredible book and a much better written series than HP.   hide

A complete disappointment. His Dark Materials are entirely a waste of time. The characters have almost no development. The plot is annoying and many parts of the books just don't make sense. This is the worst of the trilogy. It has a ridiculous ending where the main characters kill 'god' (or at least the most important angel who called himself god).

Great story comes with wonderful ending. I can't wait to see "lyra's oxford" coming.

A story exploring profound spiritual ideas and the beauty of the human person. For those who think this book supports immoral themes, please read it before you generalize and take a side. The beloved protagonists, Lyra and Will, transform into multifaceted characters, young adults who see the truth and fight for it. Their quest made more and more complicated as they mature and expose themselves...more

A story exploring profound spiritual ideas and the beauty of the human person. For those who think this book supports immoral themes, please read it before you generalize and take a side. The beloved protagonists, Lyra and Will, transform into multifaceted characters, young adults who see the truth and fight for it. Their quest made more and more complicated as they mature and expose themselves to sin. Eloquent writing, breathtaking imagery - not just a book not to miss, but a must for every deep thinker.   hide

There is not a better young adult novel/series available for love nor money. Pullman's masterwork, and completely absorbing. I could not, would not put it down, and consider all the fuss from those who feel the book foments sedition and criticism against formal power, organized religion, and the narrow pursuit of power regardless of ethical consequences to be absolutely correct. Pullman does...more

There is not a better young adult novel/series available for love nor money. Pullman's masterwork, and completely absorbing. I could not, would not put it down, and consider all the fuss from those who feel the book foments sedition and criticism against formal power, organized religion, and the narrow pursuit of power regardless of ethical consequences to be absolutely correct. Pullman does intend to question authority, and encourage young people to question authority, and faith, and belief. Get over it. That's what we're here to do.   hide

This series was exciting at the beginning, good in the middle and ended disappointingly. This last book of the trilogy jumps around to too many different people, which makes it hard to follow. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't give too many details; however, not only was the whole story with Mary Malone and the mulefa boring but the end was anti-climactic. And great characters...more

This series was exciting at the beginning, good in the middle and ended disappointingly. This last book of the trilogy jumps around to too many different people, which makes it hard to follow. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't give too many details; however, not only was the whole story with Mary Malone and the mulefa boring but the end was anti-climactic. And great characters that I grew to love like Iorek Byrnison and Serafina Pekkala only made brief appearances in this book. Overall, I do not recommend this book if you're looking for a conclusion to what could have been an amazing series.   hide

The Amber Spyglass is the thrid and last novel in Pullman’s trilogy His Dark Materials and is the contination of the adventure from the previous two books. It is the perfect ending, even if it is a sad at times, and as I have been reading Pullman’s books (especially his Sally Lockhart novels) since about 6th grade, I can give his trilogy nothing but praise. The characters are so...more

The Amber Spyglass is the thrid and last novel in Pullman’s trilogy His Dark Materials and is the contination of the adventure from the previous two books. It is the perfect ending, even if it is a sad at times, and as I have been reading Pullman’s books (especially his Sally Lockhart novels) since about 6th grade, I can give his trilogy nothing but praise. The characters are so vivid that you really feel for them; you share their sorroy and pain as well as their triumph and success. For me, this was definetly evident when Lyra and Will travelled to the world of the dead and also later when they went back to their respective worlds and had to leave eachother. I seriously do not see how anyone could not like this trilogy. I really recommend it to everyone for so many reasons!   hide

I don't know what the fanatical christian right's problem with these books is, but I enjoyed the hell out of them (no pun intended). His Dark Materials trilogy was a fantastic ride through FICTION and FANTASY/ADVENTURE. Yes, this is an antithesis to The Chronicles of Narnia (which are also some of my favorite books), but look past that to a wonderful tale of two worlds...more

I don't know what the fanatical christian right's problem with these books is, but I enjoyed the hell out of them (no pun intended). His Dark Materials trilogy was a fantastic ride through FICTION and FANTASY/ADVENTURE. Yes, this is an antithesis to The Chronicles of Narnia (which are also some of my favorite books), but look past that to a wonderful tale of two worlds at war with the forces of heaven and nature. It is a really wonderful ride through a worlds sometimes similar some times different than our own.   hide

A great fantasy, but is no match for the likes of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. Pullman is a mastermind at using a story to communicate his ideas. He warns against the perils of extremist religion, yet in doing so, is an extremist himself. He totally ignores the good, mercy, love and hope that decent and honest faith brings, and hones in on the injustices...more

A great fantasy, but is no match for the likes of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. Pullman is a mastermind at using a story to communicate his ideas. He warns against the perils of extremist religion, yet in doing so, is an extremist himself. He totally ignores the good, mercy, love and hope that decent and honest faith brings, and hones in on the injustices caused by religion - that is, extremist religion, which is actually human politics under the guise of religion. The quality of a book is undergirded by the character of the author. It is a pity that such a brilliant story has been undermined by the agenda of the author. Pullman exposes his own shortcomings in his attempt to annihilate religion.   hide