Reviews

*Spoilers* "Even if it means oblivion friends I'll welcome it because it won't be nothing. We'll be alive again in the grass and a million leaves, we'll be falling in raindrops and blowing in the fresh breeze, we'll be glittering in the dew drops under the stars and the moon out there in the physical world which is our true home."

Delightful adventure about creating a heaven on Earth though curiosity and compassion.

becky_mercer93's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

katyab's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a wonderful end to the trilogy, and probably my favourite installment. Where I'd been a little underwhelmed by Subtle Knife, this really blew my socks off. All the time I was really aware of Lyra and Will being two children caught up in an adult's war (that I'd argue even the adults didn't understand).
What I loved most of all was this book's exploration of death and what it means. My idea of death, I think, has been forever changed by this book; it's so hopeful and beautiful and comforting. There are parts that are absolutely devastating where I near enough bawled my eyes out. Pullman's writing also does this extraordinary thing every now and then, where it seems to drift away and lapse into gorgeous prose. Sometimes it goes on for paragraphs, sometimes just a sentence. Not too much, but just enough and done well.

Spoiler

"The bright moonlight , reflected off the white sand, lit up her face with a radiance that seemed to draw out some other radiance from inside her; her eyes glittered, and her expression was so serious and absorbed that Will could have fallen in love with her again if love didn't already possess every fibre of his being."

Wow, Phil, did you have to hit me right in the soul? Good grief...

I'm so glad I've read these books now, and (strangely) I'm glad that I read them in my twenties. Something tells me that I might not have "got" them when I was younger, but then again, I wasn't sure I would "get" them now -- and I surprised myself. Big, endlessly imaginative words, complex characters, and importantly, never treating the reader like an idiot. Amazing.

connymm's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

dinnerandamovii's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

bookishgenerations's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

4.0

slflorence99's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this series mostly because my husband is such a big fan (and I'm always on board for a good follow up TV series). His wounds from cultural Christianity rang very true within the context of these books, so I understand why he was so drawn to them. While I still maintain my faith, I found that this story line is not one that should be feared by believers. Asking questions, growing in knowledge, and living a life of love, humility, and kindness are all great ideals to live by (and it's my opinion that they align with the teachings of the God I believe in).

These are well written and thoughtful books that lead to excellent conversation regardless of your belief system (or lack there of).

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