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A review by r_lumbrix
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
5.0
(This review is for the whole His Dark Materials series, because I read them back-to-back without pausing and can’t really separate them in my mind.)
The level of world building is absolutely phenomenal! To create not just one, but 4+ worlds, each with their own people, animals, landscapes, culture, and language—and then to have those worlds interact with each other, depend on each other—is astounding. Not only that, but each world is populated with fully-realized characters who grow and change throughout the series. And not only that, but the plot is incredibly complex, with a history spanning hundreds of years, and I couldn’t find a single plot hole. I’m not going to summarize, only praise. As fantasy series go, this has surpassed Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia, and LOTR for me.
The level of world building is absolutely phenomenal! To create not just one, but 4+ worlds, each with their own people, animals, landscapes, culture, and language—and then to have those worlds interact with each other, depend on each other—is astounding. Not only that, but each world is populated with fully-realized characters who grow and change throughout the series. And not only that, but the plot is incredibly complex, with a history spanning hundreds of years, and I couldn’t find a single plot hole. I’m not going to summarize, only praise. As fantasy series go, this has surpassed Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia, and LOTR for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Religious bigotry and Blood