The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Yes, it is taking me forever to read, but that is the fault of my life not the book. The title of this book does not reveal itself as quickly as the first two, but when you realize what it is I think it makes a nice parallel. The plots and conflicts become even more confused, but not in a bad way just in a realistic way of things not being black and white. There is also some interesting religious commentary that does not necessarily have to be read into. It may be my second time reading these books, but that does not mean that I remember what happens. We call it the Wyatt Earp syndrome because of my father, but hey sometimes it makes life more interesting to not remember everything.I cried at the end, but if that intimidates you from reading these books then blame it on how tired I was. Yes, I made the classic mistake of being like I’m just going to read one chapter, which we all know is impossible that close to the end. Pullman draws you into his tale so well that you will occassionally forget to breath. Recently I was talking to someone about the upcoming movie on the first book and there was a statement they read to me about how it includes our own world. I am not sure if this is the intention or not, but it could definitely get you thinking. Either way you are completely sure in the fact that these characters are real people, you want to meet them, but you also want to comfort them and help them. These books are not about a fairy tale where it all ends happy, they are about worlds like ours where no matter how fantastic things get, life is still life.

(This is the third book of His Dark Materials trilogy.)

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

This one was even more heart wrenching and dynamic than the first. Secrets are revealed, new alliances are made. And in the end you are left on the edge of your seat filled with questions and fears. Lyra’s character grows not necessarily in maturity but in dimension… as Shrek would say her onion grows more layers. Will is both beloved and feared, the epitome of humanity. The lines between sides are almost indistinguishable. I think every person finds themselves craving a companion such as a daemon. Pullman creates a world filled with beauties and terrors.

(This is the second book of His Dark Materials trilogy.)

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Yes, I am reading it because of the movie. I am both excited and afraid. This is one of my favorites. I read it back in ’99 for what I think was the first time. It was during the period when mom and I would write in the front of the book when we finished it. It is hard for me to believe that was 8 years ago and I was twelve. I’m reading a chapter here and there whenever I get the chance. I had forgotten so much of it. Pullman’s world is beautifully crafted: a mix of the comfortably familiar and the entrancingly fantastic. Even though Lyra is a child she is easy to relate to because she is passionate and intelligent as well as wild. The story is engrossing and the more I fall in love with it all over again the more nervous I get about the movie but I am still determined to see it for it’s own merits. So I finished it… why are so many of the books I love full of cliff hanger endings? Though it is not near as bad as Mr. George R. R. Martin waiting for his books to come out. I already have a chapter of The Subtle Knife read. Immersion like this makes me want to create a world just as believable.And of course as you transition into The Subtle Knife, you realize Pullman will not be stopping with just one or even two amazing worlds. It is a book within the reading capabilities of children, but it is not a children’s book. There are harsh realities that the child characters face, the lines of good and evil are constantly being blurred. The story is both powerful and intriguing.

(This is the first book of His Dark Materials trilogy.)