What readers think of The Amber Spyglass, plus links to write your own review.

His Dark Materials is an absorbing, suspenseful, and well-paced trilogy that will take you on an emotional roller coast ride--fabulous! I've given The Amber Spyglass a "3" not because it fails to excite and engage, but rather because I feel it to be the weakest story in this amazing trilogy. Pullman's enthusiasm for provocation reaches its apex here: be warned, those of conservative mores.



The frenetic pace and exorbitant body count was slightly off-putting, and I admit to having needed a full week to recover from the emotional drain inflicted by Mr. Pullman's steady yank on the heart strings, but I wouldn't have traded my journey through Lyra's world for anything.



This trilogy is certain to become classic children's literature!



Signed, A Writer

To me, The Amber Spyglass was a great book to start out with, but slowly turned bad, until I kinda was disgusted by the end. I think that Pullman is hostile towards religion, escpecially towards the Christian religion. I still love the first two books, but to me, the Amber Spyglass was a little bit troubling.



Age 12

I am a big fan of well-written fantasy books, such as the Narnia books, the Inheritance trilogy, and the Harry Potter books, but this book crossed a morel line it never should have crossed. I think it is disgraceful how a nation that claims to be Christian can be so easily swayed by some pretty words, when those words demean and debase the Creator. Not regarding religion, the plot does get quite frantic and the focus becomes scattered. The battle towards the end of the book that is meant to determine the fate of the world and the "death" of God was rushed and not deep at all. Also, the romantic involvement between Lyra and Will also seemed odd, since they were only 12 years old, and even if they can have feelings for each other, how could 12 year old children have feelings so deep and mature? Morally, I was outraged, and intellectually, I was not impressed. This book is NOT a winner.

This is a review from a children's librarian. So many parents allow their children to check these books out, and then when they talk to the child about the book, they are outraged and come storming into the library. I read hundreds of books every year, and this is definitely one of the darkest. This series, if you are religious or even just believe in God, will shock you. It is the story of Armageddon, except God is now old and feeble and doesn't help the world, and Satan is a much more benevolent being and if he ruled the world, the world would be a much better place. The plot gets worse from there. Many will say these books are beautifully written, but the vindictiveness behind the philosophy of this book (written by a confirmed atheist) is quite ugly. What amazes me is that since 85% of the population professes belief in God that these books have become so popular. Most of the world's religions - Christians, Jews, Muslims - would not agree with the philosophies of these books. I deal with hundred of children every day, and I promise you these books will impact a child a lot more than they would impact an adult. Adults discern philosophies and manage to get past them while still maintaining their basic belief system. Children and teens do not have this luxury. The books they read and the movies they watch form their foundation of beliefs and philosophies. As their guardian, parents are responsible for helping form these beliefs and philosophies toward life, moral values, and religion. Please be careful with these books.

Pullman's magical text, accompanied by a thrilling story, is one of the best (and saddest) books I have ever read. I was heartbroken and confused when I first finished the book, but now I recognize it as a spectacular novel.

Watching Lyra's innocence disappear was almost as exciting as everything else. Pullman has certainly got himself a space on the shelf next to Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings. The book was thrilling and powerful. I do think, however, that the end was exceedingly heartbreaking. But, the book all in all was great! I finished The Amber Spyglass within 5 days, I could hardly put it down.

Mrs. Coulter's purpose, I think, was to provide a confusing and dark character. Her goodness and love of Lyra was fierce as her previous hate of children. I still can't figure out if Lord Asriel was truly good or bad. Pullman is a master of personality changes. Almost everyone changed in the book. Rowdy and crude Lyra changed to a serious adolescent. The characters that didn't change, in my opinion, are Pantalaimon and Mary Malone. The Mulefa, in my opinion, were VERY strange. What I love about this book is that every character has a purpose. Not many of the characters were likable. Will and Lyra were the only true likable characters. Balthamos and Baruch were also strange. The part with Father Gomez was unnecesary. And the end was depressing. But otherwise, I love this book. I wish i had a daemon!! What shape would yours take???

Killiston Bree
I found the end to be satisfying, yet troubling. To think of Lyra and Will falling in love, then parting never to see each other again.