Helpful Score: 5
A great ending to the trilogy. This story is magical and not all happiness and sunshine- great drama. I loved it.
Helpful Score: 4
I HIGHLY recommend this entire series (His Dark Materials), although I like the first and third more than the second. They are set in such well-thought-out, intriguing worlds, and I love Pullman's writing style. His plot lines and characters are as phenomenal and well-thought-out as his settings. Lyra is quite possibly my FAVORITE fictional character, which is saying a lot.
Cherie (CheriePie) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I liked it, though not quite as much as the second book in the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, which was my favorite of the three.
The Amber Spyglass picked up right where The Subtle Knife left off, and having been a couple months since I read that, and 15 other books in between, I kind of forgot some of the finer points of the previous story. I kind of wish I'd had that copy handy for a quick refresher before starting on this one. I was able to get back up to speed quickly enough, but there were still some references to previous minor events that happened, and I found myself having to work back through memory or hoping that they'd expand if it was really important to the story. An example that kept being referred to is how Will was arguing with his father at the time he died in book 2. Well, unfortunately, I couldn't recall the circumstances surrounding Will's father's death clearly enough in my head to know if what they were arguing about at the time was significant to the story, and I didn't even know how he'd died until that detail was eluded to in a later conversation.
I don't think this was as much of an issue between the first and second books because more of the minor plots and events were wrapped up before the end, while of course the big plot that spans the entire trilogy is left open... but you don't usually forget the major plotline anyway, just some of the details of the minor ones.
So I always like to give an objective statement or review about the book as well as my opinions on it. And that said, I thought the entire trilogy overall was very good and well written. Though I was both pleased and disappointed in the way everything was resolved. How can that be?
WARNING! SPOILER ALERT.
You must highlight the text below in order to read it.
Well, I didn't like that Lord Asriel died, and I didn't like that Lyra and Will couldn't be together after all they'd went through. I guess both those points added a note of sadness to the ending. Of course, all the events that had transpired thus far lead up to the final resolution, and I enjoyed seeing the way everything fit together nicely.
The Amber Spyglass picked up right where The Subtle Knife left off, and having been a couple months since I read that, and 15 other books in between, I kind of forgot some of the finer points of the previous story. I kind of wish I'd had that copy handy for a quick refresher before starting on this one. I was able to get back up to speed quickly enough, but there were still some references to previous minor events that happened, and I found myself having to work back through memory or hoping that they'd expand if it was really important to the story. An example that kept being referred to is how Will was arguing with his father at the time he died in book 2. Well, unfortunately, I couldn't recall the circumstances surrounding Will's father's death clearly enough in my head to know if what they were arguing about at the time was significant to the story, and I didn't even know how he'd died until that detail was eluded to in a later conversation.
I don't think this was as much of an issue between the first and second books because more of the minor plots and events were wrapped up before the end, while of course the big plot that spans the entire trilogy is left open... but you don't usually forget the major plotline anyway, just some of the details of the minor ones.
So I always like to give an objective statement or review about the book as well as my opinions on it. And that said, I thought the entire trilogy overall was very good and well written. Though I was both pleased and disappointed in the way everything was resolved. How can that be?
WARNING! SPOILER ALERT.
You must highlight the text below in order to read it.
Well, I didn't like that Lord Asriel died, and I didn't like that Lyra and Will couldn't be together after all they'd went through. I guess both those points added a note of sadness to the ending. Of course, all the events that had transpired thus far lead up to the final resolution, and I enjoyed seeing the way everything fit together nicely.
Helpful Score: 2
This brings the His Dark Materials trilogy to a grand and emotional conclusion. I loved it, and couldn't get it out of my head!
Barbara A. (barbwired) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 130 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The Amber Spyglass brings the intrigue of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife to a heart-stopping end, marking the final volume of His Dark Materials as the most powerful of the trilogy.
Along with the return of Lyra and other familiar characters from the first two books come a host of new characters: the Mulefa, mysterious wheeled creatures with the power to see Dust; Gallivespian Lord Roke, a hand-high spymaster to Lord Asriel; and Metatron, a fierce and mighty angel. So too come startling revelations: the painful price Lyra must pay to walk through the land of the dead, the haunting power of Dr. Malone's amber spyglass, and the names of who will liveand who will diefor love. And all the while, war rages with the Kingdom of Heaven, a brutal battle thatin its shocking outcomewill uncover the secret of Dust.
Philip Pullman deftly brings the cliffhangers and mysteries of His Dark Materials to an earth-shattering conclusion and confirms his fantasy trilogy as an undoubted and enduring classic.
Along with the return of Lyra and other familiar characters from the first two books come a host of new characters: the Mulefa, mysterious wheeled creatures with the power to see Dust; Gallivespian Lord Roke, a hand-high spymaster to Lord Asriel; and Metatron, a fierce and mighty angel. So too come startling revelations: the painful price Lyra must pay to walk through the land of the dead, the haunting power of Dr. Malone's amber spyglass, and the names of who will liveand who will diefor love. And all the while, war rages with the Kingdom of Heaven, a brutal battle thatin its shocking outcomewill uncover the secret of Dust.
Philip Pullman deftly brings the cliffhangers and mysteries of His Dark Materials to an earth-shattering conclusion and confirms his fantasy trilogy as an undoubted and enduring classic.
Helpful Score: 1
After watching the movie (which I thought was kind of dull), I tried out reading the books. The first book is better than the movie, by quite a bit, but still at times it felt like it was "work" to read. The second book was even worse and then the third book I skipped most of it. The first book is worth reading the second and third are not.
Helpful Score: 1
i really enjoyed the amber spyglass. it is exciting and romantic in its own unexpected way. i would recommend reading the golden compass and the subtle knife first however as they are imperative to understanding the plot line.
Megan L. (MeganLog) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
My most favorite book, ever. The reason I read and write.
Angela J. (KitchenWitch) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is not for the faint of heart. It actually had me tempted to filp ahead to make sure...you know so and so were going to make it past the well...read the story!
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
Ali Y. (greatdanechick) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I REALLY liked this one! The first two were good as well, but the Amber Spyglass takes the story to a much more controversial and intellegent level. A war with God, a visit to hell... this fantasy story is action packed, fun, thrilling, but also brings up some interesting ideas as far as religion goes. If you're easily offended by non-traditional stories that incorporate religion, this one isn't for you. If you like to challenge the norm and read stories that approach religion and science in a different way, this one is definitely for you!
Krista A. (magicalfire) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
While the genre of this series usually says teenager, I disagree completely. It is a great series, thoroughly absorbing, but aimed at an adult reader.
The last book of the series did not let me down. Parts of this book are dark and dreary, similar the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. A must read trilogy for those exploring love and the human spirit.
I enjoyed this series. Although it is aimed at a young audience, the character development is rich and the story has integrity. It's a quick, interesting read, good for the beach.
Sarah M. (danaewinters) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
I had mixed feeling about this series as a whole, starting with this book. On the positive side, the characters were complex and well-written - even those with the most dark and twisted natures weren't seen as entirely evil, but merely flawed in major ways, while those with the best of intentions weren't lily-white either. The religious undertones, though, struck me as less of an athiests point of view than your typical angry ex-Christian - one who was more angry at God than entirely unbelieving as one. The bitterness grew in this book, and came to a full head towards the end. Stylistically, it was extremely well done - descriptive and engaging enough in the first book to compel me to finish the series, even when I was disagreeing with it's message.
Philisophically, though, I found it overwhelmingly preachy and overly-bitter, unable to keep the writers own bias regarding religions as a whole from clouding an otherwise wonderfully crafted tale.
Philisophically, though, I found it overwhelmingly preachy and overly-bitter, unable to keep the writers own bias regarding religions as a whole from clouding an otherwise wonderfully crafted tale.
I'm not sure I liked the ending, seems to be happening a lot as of late with the books I have been reading. The concepts and ideals in this book are far from the first book, and I can understand why the last two never made it into movie form.
This is the third book in Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy.
Pretty good book.
I love this book. It was just as good as the other two books in the series. You should definately read the series - it is amazing. It is definately not just for children, however, I am going to keep my set of books and make my future children read them, because the deeper lessons within the books are intelligent and very valuable.
I LOVED the first two books in the series. The Subtle Knife (2) ends in such a way that you have to keep reading the 3rd! But I almost wish I hadn't started the series because the only way to end it was with this book. It was literally the ending (last 50 or so pages) that destroyed the whole series for me. I felt bitter and betrayed, why had I decided to get so attached to these characters if it would end like that?! If maybe you can find a way to read this and be ok with stopping once you get that feeling in your gut that it is going in a direction that you don't like, then for sure read it! The beginning is still way interesting and attention grabbing, it's just the end. Oh the end.
My 12 year old said this book was "way cool!"
This was a very disappointing conclusion to this series. He did not do a good job of explaining reasons why and how things had been happening. I expected better.
Heather B. (KiardaDelGato) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 22 more book reviews
The final book in the saga of Lyra Belaqua and her friend Will Parry against the forces of Heaven and Hell.
3rd in the Dark Materials trilogy. On a par with The Hobbit trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia
George D. (headranger) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 20 more book reviews
Masterful....This title confirms Pullman's inclusion in
the company of C. S. Lewis and Tolkien. A thrilling work and
a spellbinding read.
the company of C. S. Lewis and Tolkien. A thrilling work and
a spellbinding read.
Angela J. (KitchenWitch) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 14 more book reviews
This book is not for the faint of heart. It actually had me tempted to flip ahead to make sure...you know so and so were going to make it past the well...read the story!
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
Great young adult fiction. Deals interestingly with contemporary philosophical issues
Linda L. (angelstar) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 96 more book reviews
All the books in the series are great, according to me.
Read it yourself and come to your own conclusion.
I gave them all five stars!
Read it yourself and come to your own conclusion.
I gave them all five stars!
I will undoubtedly read this entire trilogy again.
Lisa F. (x0xbookwormx0x) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 100 more book reviews
Amazon.com
From the very start of its very first scene, The Amber Spyglass will set hearts fluttering and minds racing. All we'll say here is that we immediately discover who captured Lyra at the end of The Subtle Knife, though we've yet to discern whether this individual's intent is good, evil, or somewhere in between. We also learn that Will still possesses the blade that allows him to cut between worlds, and has been joined by two winged companions who are determined to escort him to Lord Asriel's mountain redoubt. The boy, however, has only one goal in mind--to rescue his friend and return to her the alethiometer, an instrument that has revealed so much to her and to readers of The Golden Compass and its follow-up. Within a short time, too, we get to experience the "tingle of the starlight" on Serafina Pekkala's skin as she seeks out a famished Iorek Byrnison and enlists him in Lord Asriel's crusade:
A complex web of thoughts was weaving itself in the bear king's mind, with more strands in it than hunger and satisfaction. There was the memory of the little girl Lyra, whom he had named Silvertongue, and whom he had last seen crossing the fragile snow bridge across a crevasse in his own island of Svalbard. Then there was the agitation among the witches, the rumors of pacts and alliances and war; and then there was the surpassingly strange fact of this new world itself, and the witch's insistence that there were many more such worlds, and that the fate of them all hung somehow on the fate of the child.
Meanwhile, two factions of the Church are vying to reach Lyra first. One is even prepared to give a priest "preemptive absolution" should he succeed in committing mortal sin. For these tyrants, killing this girl is no less than "a sacred task."
In the final installment of his trilogy, Philip Pullman has set himself the highest hurdles. He must match its predecessors in terms of sheer action and originality and resolve the enigmas he already created. The good news is that there is no critical bad news--not that The Amber Spyglass doesn't contain standoffs and close calls galore. (Who would have it otherwise?) But Pullman brings his audacious revision of Paradise Lost to a conclusion that is both serene and devastating. In prose that is transparent yet lyrical and 3-D, the author weaves in and out of his principals' thoughts. He also offers up several additional worlds. In one, Dr. Mary Malone is welcomed into an apparently simple society. The environment of the mulefa (again, we'll reveal nothing more) makes them rich in consciousness while their lives possess a slow and stately rhythm. These strange creatures can, however, be very fast on their feet (or on other things entirely) when necessary. Alas, they are on the verge of dying as Dust streams out of their idyllic landscape. Will the Oxford dark-matter researcher see her way to saving them, or does this require our young heroes? And while Mary is puzzling out a cure, Will and Lyra undertake a pilgrimage to a realm devoid of all light and hope, after having been forced into the cruelest of sacrifices--or betrayals.
Throughout his galvanizing epic, Pullman sustains scenes of fierce beauty and tenderness. He also allows us a moment or two of comic respite. At one point, for instance, Lyra's mother bullies a series of ecclesiastical underlings: "The man bowed helplessly and led her away. The guard behind her blew out his cheeks with relief." Needless to say, Mrs. Coulter is as intoxicating and fluid as ever. And can it be that we will come to admire her as she plays out her desperate endgame? In this respect, as in many others, The Amber Spyglass is truly a book of revelations, moving from darkness visible to radiant truth.
From the very start of its very first scene, The Amber Spyglass will set hearts fluttering and minds racing. All we'll say here is that we immediately discover who captured Lyra at the end of The Subtle Knife, though we've yet to discern whether this individual's intent is good, evil, or somewhere in between. We also learn that Will still possesses the blade that allows him to cut between worlds, and has been joined by two winged companions who are determined to escort him to Lord Asriel's mountain redoubt. The boy, however, has only one goal in mind--to rescue his friend and return to her the alethiometer, an instrument that has revealed so much to her and to readers of The Golden Compass and its follow-up. Within a short time, too, we get to experience the "tingle of the starlight" on Serafina Pekkala's skin as she seeks out a famished Iorek Byrnison and enlists him in Lord Asriel's crusade:
A complex web of thoughts was weaving itself in the bear king's mind, with more strands in it than hunger and satisfaction. There was the memory of the little girl Lyra, whom he had named Silvertongue, and whom he had last seen crossing the fragile snow bridge across a crevasse in his own island of Svalbard. Then there was the agitation among the witches, the rumors of pacts and alliances and war; and then there was the surpassingly strange fact of this new world itself, and the witch's insistence that there were many more such worlds, and that the fate of them all hung somehow on the fate of the child.
Meanwhile, two factions of the Church are vying to reach Lyra first. One is even prepared to give a priest "preemptive absolution" should he succeed in committing mortal sin. For these tyrants, killing this girl is no less than "a sacred task."
In the final installment of his trilogy, Philip Pullman has set himself the highest hurdles. He must match its predecessors in terms of sheer action and originality and resolve the enigmas he already created. The good news is that there is no critical bad news--not that The Amber Spyglass doesn't contain standoffs and close calls galore. (Who would have it otherwise?) But Pullman brings his audacious revision of Paradise Lost to a conclusion that is both serene and devastating. In prose that is transparent yet lyrical and 3-D, the author weaves in and out of his principals' thoughts. He also offers up several additional worlds. In one, Dr. Mary Malone is welcomed into an apparently simple society. The environment of the mulefa (again, we'll reveal nothing more) makes them rich in consciousness while their lives possess a slow and stately rhythm. These strange creatures can, however, be very fast on their feet (or on other things entirely) when necessary. Alas, they are on the verge of dying as Dust streams out of their idyllic landscape. Will the Oxford dark-matter researcher see her way to saving them, or does this require our young heroes? And while Mary is puzzling out a cure, Will and Lyra undertake a pilgrimage to a realm devoid of all light and hope, after having been forced into the cruelest of sacrifices--or betrayals.
Throughout his galvanizing epic, Pullman sustains scenes of fierce beauty and tenderness. He also allows us a moment or two of comic respite. At one point, for instance, Lyra's mother bullies a series of ecclesiastical underlings: "The man bowed helplessly and led her away. The guard behind her blew out his cheeks with relief." Needless to say, Mrs. Coulter is as intoxicating and fluid as ever. And can it be that we will come to admire her as she plays out her desperate endgame? In this respect, as in many others, The Amber Spyglass is truly a book of revelations, moving from darkness visible to radiant truth.
Book III of Pullman's 'Dark Materials' trilogy.
Third in a great fantasy series.
I think this one got a little weird, but it's part of the big story so I let it slide, I thought the ending was pretty lame though. Not as good as the others in the trilogy.
Kathleen T. (keska) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 204 more book reviews
This series got a little strange at the end.
Books in this series are wonderful!
Melva S. (TropicAtHeart) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 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.
Smokey M. (kwenamget) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
The third book of His Dark Materials. The first will be a movie in December 2007.
Angela J. (KitchenWitch) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 14 more book reviews
This book is not for the faint of heart. It actually had me tempted to flip ahead to make sure...you know so and so were going to make it past the well...read the story!
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
It is thoroughly engrossing, and will keep you turning the pages. But it is Dark, just as the title describes, but it is of course being the climax to the series the darkest by far.
Lyra and Wills adventures take them on journeys that will break your heart right along with the childrens. It again is brilliant writing and you feel, hear and see everything. It is J.K. Rowling's magic meets Stephen King gripping scares, in a child's (preteen/teenager's) story. Yes, it will ruffle a few Christian feathers but the entire story is wonderful!! You could even say it might make some people think.
Final installment in Pullman's excellent fantasy trilogy.
Reagan H. (horselover419) reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Bk 3) on + 33 more book reviews
This trilogy was interesting. Not as good as the first book, or even the second, but it does tie up all the lose ends.
Awefull, God hating, filled with sorcery, and completely unlike the movie.
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.
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.
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.
