Recommended
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His Dark Materials is a fantastic series of books. Plenty has already been said in these reviews about the subject matter and writing brilliance. However many people have referred to these as "children's" books, which I slightly disagree with. Young children (8+) will enjoy these if they are read to them - although the subject and language is likely to require further explanation at this age. For sole readers an age of 12+ is more suitable; plus many, many adults (including myself) have enjoyed reading these too.
From my personal experience I didn't enjoy the second book in the series as much as either the first or third as I felt it wasn't as fast-paced and intricate. That said I do not mean that I `didn't enjoy it at all' just that I `preferred' the others.
Other reviews have mentioned that the religious/church bashing may offend, which is perhaps true for deeply/strictly religious folk. However for non-believers I think the books may have the opposite effect, i.e. it may open their minds to the possibility there may be more to life than what we see, in a kind of spiritual sense.
However, a word of warning. After reading this series I purchased Lyra's Oxford which was a big mistake. It adds nothing to this story and took no longer than 15 minutes to read. In fact it left me rather miffed with the author that my feel-good factor from reading the trilogy was then tainted by feeling I'd been ripped off with LO.
In short - the trilogy is a very good buy but give the subsequent books based on this same story a big miss.
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His Dark Materials Boxed Set
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What excellent books! i could not put them down. Phillip Pullman has a wonderful imagination and i would recommend this book to adults and older children as i feel children under ten year's maybe a little scared! Can't wait to read his next book.
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Brilliant
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There's nothing I can say except "absolutely brilliant". I have never read a more refreshing, thought-provoking, moving or, most importantly, entertaining children's series.
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Converted Potter Fan
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I absoluteley loved these books. I have always been a potter fan and decided try this trilogy as someone recommended them, I have to say I have been blown away. Pullmans imagination is unrivalled. His worlds draw you in immediately, as you start you won't be able to put them down. I especially loved his characters, totally believeable and engrossing. The characters are all perfectly described, and the idea of daemons works well (daemons are a persons soul in animal form that stays with them). The later books focus upon other worlds which works great. I won't give lots away but the ending is excellent, the best ending for a long time. I don't recommend the books for young children. The plot could perhaps be a little hard for them to grasp as a lot of the story is about religion and government. (That makes it sound boring but trust me - it isn't). Buy them now, you won't be disappointed.
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Fantastic books but the film ruins the 1st book
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There is only one way to describe the adaption of the book into the film they have murdered it!! I saw the film then thought I would read the books. I found the Northern Lights hard to get into and to concentrate on it due to the way the film massacred it by completely ultering the storyline, I continued to read the Subtle Knife and the Amber Spyglass and they were absouletly amazing I was absorbed into the books within seconds and couldn't put them down. Phillip Pullman transports you into a world only accessable through good literature. My only regret about these books is that I saw the film first! Read the books then if you want to see the film do it that way round otherwise the books will be spoilt for you!
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