Tamara C. (onejump) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
When I bought these books at the bookstore I bought the entire trilogy because I knew they would be that good, and I was right! Book three has everything you could ask for as a fantasy reader-a war upon which the outcome will determine the fate of the world and the key to winning it might just depend upon two children! Great!
Helpful Score: 2
Unlike other reviewers I found this entire series to be a fun, entertaining fantasy.
I know there are those who are practically screaming about atheism and 'killing god' and what have you, but I found it to be more of an intriguing take on religion and the effect that they have on society/cultures.
My children read this series (twin boys, 12 and daughter, 9) with me and we were all holding are breath at many parts, rooting for the characters and feeling sad/teary (of course the twins didn't get teary :P) at different parts, so I would say the author did an excellent job of pulling us into the story and none of my children (nor myself) felt that it had any bearing on our relationship with God as it was 'just a story and pretend' (those are the words of my children; paraphrased from the three of them)
I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone (old or young) who is looking for an exciting, fantastical romp. It does have underlying messages about society and politics (I found it more about the politics of religion over anything else.)
Enjoy
--Aileene
I know there are those who are practically screaming about atheism and 'killing god' and what have you, but I found it to be more of an intriguing take on religion and the effect that they have on society/cultures.
My children read this series (twin boys, 12 and daughter, 9) with me and we were all holding are breath at many parts, rooting for the characters and feeling sad/teary (of course the twins didn't get teary :P) at different parts, so I would say the author did an excellent job of pulling us into the story and none of my children (nor myself) felt that it had any bearing on our relationship with God as it was 'just a story and pretend' (those are the words of my children; paraphrased from the three of them)
I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone (old or young) who is looking for an exciting, fantastical romp. It does have underlying messages about society and politics (I found it more about the politics of religion over anything else.)
Enjoy
--Aileene
Helpful Score: 2
Overall, I'm ambivalent about Philip Pullman's books. I read them on the recommendation of a couple of friends who absolutely loved them. They're well written and I did fall in love with the characters (even the bad ones), but I found the books tedious.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this series. It took me a week to read all 3 books, and then I was sad it was over.
Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 569 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A must read for those who read the first 2 books in the series "the Golden Compass" and "The Subtle Knife"
Helpful Score: 1
The conclusion of His Dark Materials. I found these books to be uneven in various ways, with characters doing whatever they wanted rather than consistent and clear motivations. Still, for kids they may be OK.
Michael C. (MSClark) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Well written characters and an interesting story line. I am having my 10 year old son read this book. Suitable for pre-teens in my opinion.
Robyn M. (artsncrafts) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 52 more book reviews
I love fantasy, and I liked this series (His Dark Materials) better than the Harry Potter series. I'm no kid - I'm almost 60!
Laura W. (yoopergirl) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 7 more book reviews
This is the third and final book in a series of books by Philip Pullman that started with the Golden Compass. It wraps up the story of Lyra and her friend Will as they travel between different worlds and try to solve the mystery of "Dust" that began in the first book and continued through the second story.
Having read the series, I can say that I was disappointed in this book and the series in general. The books are well written and the stories are complex, but I hated some of the themes and story lines - particularly the storyline in this book that portrays fallen angels as heroes and the angels that stayed in service to God (or "the authority" as it's termed in the book) as villians. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading these stories, but I found series like the Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of the Rings so much better with characters that had more admirable traits than most of the characters found in Pullman's Dark Materials series.
Having read the series, I can say that I was disappointed in this book and the series in general. The books are well written and the stories are complex, but I hated some of the themes and story lines - particularly the storyline in this book that portrays fallen angels as heroes and the angels that stayed in service to God (or "the authority" as it's termed in the book) as villians. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading these stories, but I found series like the Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of the Rings so much better with characters that had more admirable traits than most of the characters found in Pullman's Dark Materials series.
Victoria (YSB) -
Oh, the ending was so sad!! Really, I loved the story and I am glad that I finally learned what Pan ended up as - which was the whole reason I began reading this series! I was surprised by how much death it involved - and the fact that there wasn't really a happily ever after, but only a sort of a hint at it... If there is a companion novel written, I imagine I would read it.
As for the religion issue, I must admit, it did get preachy in its own way in this book... which did detract from the story overall, I felt. Pullman's philosophy became redundant and I can see why this viewpoint alienated and offended more religious people. Still, it was an exciting book to read. All in all, I think Pullman's books aren't really for young children, but they are certainly entertaining for teens and even older.
As for the religion issue, I must admit, it did get preachy in its own way in this book... which did detract from the story overall, I felt. Pullman's philosophy became redundant and I can see why this viewpoint alienated and offended more religious people. Still, it was an exciting book to read. All in all, I think Pullman's books aren't really for young children, but they are certainly entertaining for teens and even older.
Nancy M. (pinxit) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 27 more book reviews
I think this was the best one in the whole trilogy!
I thought this was a fantastic book. I must admit that I was just a tad disappointed by the ending. But, it's because I am spoiled by the "happily ever after" in romance novels. The book is still spectacular. Once I finished reading this series, I kept wondering why there were so many articles in the news about how the book was "anti-Christian." I'm an atheist, and I actually thought this third installment implied that, while the Church was corrupt, there was still "something greater" out there. I actually found the book more pro-God than not. It was just anti-false god. I suppose it's a matter of interpretation, though. Either way, this book did not disappoint. I only wish the story could continue.
Debbie E. (debbieae) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 18 more book reviews
Third in a series, be sure to read the others first or it will not make much sense.
This is the most blatant anti-religious of the three books. Oddly the argument against religion seems to be against some religion's supression of sexuality. We have a former nun who left the church after her first encounter with desire. (really, seriously? someone devotes their life to God and the Church only because they never felt sexual desire until it was a done deal? I like her as a character, but think the church was well rid of such a weak spiritual leader.)
Oddly for a series that tears down religion on the basis of supressing sexuality, the book simultaneously shows the dangers of sexuality without restraint. Lyra's parents cause havoc with their unrestrained desire that leads to her conception. Lyra herself is forced to choose between the safety of the world and access to the boy she has fallen in love with. Making the unselfish choice is the moment Lyra makes her "Eve" descision. It is a rather flat ending in my opinion, and rather unravels the whole argument against supressing sexual desire that half permeates the book. I guess the author is going for an approach to sex that involves restraint without denial, but truthfully must religions teach that. Only a few preach complete denial, and the largest, the Catholic church only prescribes it for their spiritual leaders. One can be a good Catholic and have a healthy sex life, so I am not sure where the author is going here.
As I put in another review, the only other anti-religious arguments involve buying into the author's fantasy as reality. God is a senile figurehead who proclaimed himself greatest in the distant past. All dead souls are tormented and must be released into nothingness. All purely unsupported fantasy, I beleive in Unicorns a little more.
This is the most blatant anti-religious of the three books. Oddly the argument against religion seems to be against some religion's supression of sexuality. We have a former nun who left the church after her first encounter with desire. (really, seriously? someone devotes their life to God and the Church only because they never felt sexual desire until it was a done deal? I like her as a character, but think the church was well rid of such a weak spiritual leader.)
Oddly for a series that tears down religion on the basis of supressing sexuality, the book simultaneously shows the dangers of sexuality without restraint. Lyra's parents cause havoc with their unrestrained desire that leads to her conception. Lyra herself is forced to choose between the safety of the world and access to the boy she has fallen in love with. Making the unselfish choice is the moment Lyra makes her "Eve" descision. It is a rather flat ending in my opinion, and rather unravels the whole argument against supressing sexual desire that half permeates the book. I guess the author is going for an approach to sex that involves restraint without denial, but truthfully must religions teach that. Only a few preach complete denial, and the largest, the Catholic church only prescribes it for their spiritual leaders. One can be a good Catholic and have a healthy sex life, so I am not sure where the author is going here.
As I put in another review, the only other anti-religious arguments involve buying into the author's fantasy as reality. God is a senile figurehead who proclaimed himself greatest in the distant past. All dead souls are tormented and must be released into nothingness. All purely unsupported fantasy, I beleive in Unicorns a little more.
Melva S. (TropicAtHeart) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 32 more book reviews
Ok, so the Golden Compass was good. The Subtle Knife was pretty much pointless, and this book . . . well, let's just say that after all the hype these books got, I was very, very disappointed. The best part about these books is the Mulefa (A new species that Pullman introduces into the storyline). The male characters are arrogant, the female characters are deceptive, and without giving the ending of the book away I can safely summarize the moral of the story - if we are all "good and happy and wise and kind" and generally wonderful people, the world will be a better place to live. Well, no duh. Any four-year-old can tell you that.
Nicole Z. (majorphilosopher) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 20 more book reviews
This book is extremely well-written, wildly imaginative and full of wonderful imagery. The imagery in this whole series makes me think "wow!" as well as long to see the action with my own eyes.
I've read people saying these books are "god-hating" and with that I disagree. These books are fantasy and a spin on familiar ideas. Pullman doesn't seem to hate God; if anything, he hates oppression from the church, which, in his books, is wrong because it doesn't coincide with what God really is and what really happens when you die, etc.
I've read people saying these books are "god-hating" and with that I disagree. These books are fantasy and a spin on familiar ideas. Pullman doesn't seem to hate God; if anything, he hates oppression from the church, which, in his books, is wrong because it doesn't coincide with what God really is and what really happens when you die, etc.
Jason C. (mister-jeckel) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 4 more book reviews
I was captivated by this book.
Melva S. (TropicAtHeart) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 32 more book reviews
Ok, so the Golden Compass was good. The Subtle Knife was pretty much pointless, and this book . . . well, let's just say that after all the hype these books got, I was very, very disappointed. The best part about these books is the Mulefa (A new species that Pullman introduces into the storyline). The male characters are arrogant, the female characters are deceptive, and without giving the ending of the book away I can safely summarize the moral of the story - if we are all "good and happy and wise and kind" and generally wonderful people, the world will be a better place to live. Well, no duh. Any four-year-old can tell you that.
DO NOT BE FOOLED! Our family listened to the audio of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife - enjoying the action, while still having an uncomfortable feeling in the gut. When we got to the third book in the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass - we stopped listening. For the Christian - this is NOTHING SHORT OF BLASPHEMY. The entire series is about "killing God" in the author's own words. The third book in the worst - but all are bad....trying to set the trap to ensnare kids into the fantasy world of believing all this stuff. No, the demons, witches, spectors and talking animals didn't freak us out. It was the out-and-out lies of an athiest author that turned us off. So, IF YOU ARE CHRISTIAN....DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS SERIES.
