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The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3)
The Amber Spyglass - His Dark Materials, Book 3
Author: Philip Pullman
In the astonishing finale to the His Dark Materials trilogy, Lyra and Will are in unspeakable danger. With help from Iorek Byrnison the armored bear and two tiny Gallivespian spies, they must journey to a dank and gray-lit world where no living soul has ever gone. All the while, Dr. Mary Malone builds a magnificent Amber Spyglass. An assassin hu...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780440238157
ISBN-10: 0440238153
Publication Date: 9/9/2003
Pages: 480
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 357

3.9 stars, based on 357 ratings
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
When I bought these books at the bookstore I bought the entire trilogy because I knew they would be that good, and I was right! Book three has everything you could ask for as a fantasy reader-a war upon which the outcome will determine the fate of the world and the key to winning it might just depend upon two children! Great!
Aileene avatar reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Unlike other reviewers I found this entire series to be a fun, entertaining fantasy.

I know there are those who are practically screaming about atheism and 'killing god' and what have you, but I found it to be more of an intriguing take on religion and the effect that they have on society/cultures.

My children read this series (twin boys, 12 and daughter, 9) with me and we were all holding are breath at many parts, rooting for the characters and feeling sad/teary (of course the twins didn't get teary :P) at different parts, so I would say the author did an excellent job of pulling us into the story and none of my children (nor myself) felt that it had any bearing on our relationship with God as it was 'just a story and pretend' (those are the words of my children; paraphrased from the three of them)

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone (old or young) who is looking for an exciting, fantastical romp. It does have underlying messages about society and politics (I found it more about the politics of religion over anything else.)

Enjoy
--Aileene
CarlaJ avatar reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Overall, I'm ambivalent about Philip Pullman's books. I read them on the recommendation of a couple of friends who absolutely loved them. They're well written and I did fall in love with the characters (even the bad ones), but I found the books tedious.
reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this series. It took me a week to read all 3 books, and then I was sad it was over.
nccorthu avatar reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 569 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A must read for those who read the first 2 books in the series "the Golden Compass" and "The Subtle Knife"
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reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 636 more book reviews
Oh, the ending was so sad!! Really, I loved the story and I am glad that I finally learned what Pan ended up as - which was the whole reason I began reading this series! I was surprised by how much death it involved - and the fact that there wasn't really a happily ever after, but only a sort of a hint at it... If there is a companion novel written, I imagine I would read it.

As for the religion issue, I must admit, it did get preachy in its own way in this book... which did detract from the story overall, I felt. Pullman's philosophy became redundant and I can see why this viewpoint alienated and offended more religious people. Still, it was an exciting book to read. All in all, I think Pullman's books aren't really for young children, but they are certainly entertaining for teens and even older.
artsncrafts avatar reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 52 more book reviews
I love fantasy, and I liked this series (His Dark Materials) better than the Harry Potter series. I'm no kid - I'm almost 60!
pinxit avatar reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 27 more book reviews
I think this was the best one in the whole trilogy!
reviewed The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) on + 168 more book reviews
I thought this was a fantastic book. I must admit that I was just a tad disappointed by the ending. But, it's because I am spoiled by the "happily ever after" in romance novels. The book is still spectacular. Once I finished reading this series, I kept wondering why there were so many articles in the news about how the book was "anti-Christian." I'm an atheist, and I actually thought this third installment implied that, while the Church was corrupt, there was still "something greater" out there. I actually found the book more pro-God than not. It was just anti-false god. I suppose it's a matter of interpretation, though. Either way, this book did not disappoint. I only wish the story could continue.


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