Reviews

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition

4.0

This story dragged a bit more compared the second book. It confronts the sexual repression endemic to the Christian Church's take on the Adam and Eve story, providing an interesting counterpoint to the ideas of original sin and what it means to be human.

It may actually be my least favorite book of the series.

stephibabes's review against another edition

5.0

I had rather red eyes in the time I was reading this as I just (even rereading) am so emotionally bound with everything that happens! I never wanted it to end. I'm getting teary writing this!

mollywolfie's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

4.0

Still not as good as the first, but good. There is one chapter that is one of the more moving things I have read in any book of this nature. I like the way he ended to trilogy very much.

reddish's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jackpep's review against another edition

4.0

Every once in a while–probably more often than I recall–I read a book that seems to leave a hole in my chest. The last thirty or so pages of this book hit me like a rock, a train, nay, an avalanche. I realized then that I had fallen in love with these characters and with Pullman's genius world-building. Pullman's greatest strength is his ability to hide meaning, disguise truth, and nurse a bowstring-like tension that doesn't spring until he wants it to. Is it the perfect book? No. The first quarter of the book suffers without its main characters. There are alien worlds that seem a little too alien, at least from a biologist's perspective. There is an incessant and slightly ironic anti-religious sermonizing on Pullman's part which seems more appropriate in an essay than in a young adult novel. Though it's barely more noticeable than in the previous books and I found myself agreeing with every point he makes.

To conclude, I think everyone should read this series. Not just for its stunningly argued critique of organized religion but for its fully believable characters, the beauty of its prose, and the genius of its conception.

sumayyaha's review against another edition

4.0

Rating - 3.5
I feel sorry that I couldn't give this book more stars. For although the resolution wasn't entirely satisfying, I liked it. And although I still love Lyra and Will, I wish the readers were given more of their POV. And although I liked this story, I found the way it was told a bit of a drag.

For some odd reason my library shelves this series in middle-grade. Although the first book can definitely be read by children, as the story progresses in the trilogy I'm not so sure. Especially the this one, I don't know if I wouldn't have picked up on the sexual themes in middle school (in highschool now). In fact, I think it is very likely. I only say this for those who wish to know.

hanzy's review against another edition

4.0

It's the end that got me then and it's the end that gets me now :((
This was a nice revisit to a familiar world

savaging's review against another edition

5.0

Lovely. I'll be honest that I never loved Serious Little Man Will, and some of the plot devices leave me disbelieving -- but I loved this maltheist romp through the polyverse.

flyawaytinker's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0