Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7477 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Customer Reviews

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
By Alex aged 10


This book is suspense-ridden and has loads and loads of fantastic descriptions. The way Pullman uses metaphors and describes the scenery is utterly stunning. The characters are very well thought out and have several layers of personality. Lyra, at the start lives wild and carefree at Jordan college (most of the time spent on the roofs) having loads of fun spoiled only occasionally by a boring visit by her Uncle. The way he sets the scene makes your imagination go crazy. I like the way he has chopped and changed our world and added bits of that world. I think daemons are a fantastic idea and wouldn't mind having one myself. I think Lord Asriel is an absolutely fantastic character. One moment kind and gentle the next rough and demanding. Mrs.Coulter is so evil she's almost serpent like, the way she actually enjoyed watching the children in pure agony, amongst other things. The Gyptians are supposed to be gypsies I found out after some research, and the word he used was derived from the Egyptian word. The armoured bears were so remarkably un human-like even though they can talk and have opposable thumbs. The descriptions of the aurora are so in-depth I think he Philip Pullman must have gone and seen them himself, here is just one of descriptions, Lyra watched as the aurora grew more intense. The first veils of translucent colour trembled and raced to one side, and jagged curtains folded and unfolded above, increasing in size and brilliance every minute; arcs and loops swirled across from horizon to horizon and touched the very zenith with bows of radiance. If that description doesn't tell you that Philip Pullman is an absolutely fantabbywhatsadooda author then you don't like books, as plain as that. The thing I admire the most about his writing is his choice of words and his way of setting the scenes. His words are so adept you almost see through Lyra's eyes. This book is one of the best children's books ever written (In my opinion) and as you read through the trilogy they get better.

Good start but poor overall
This book starts with potential and promise but the initial rush gets dragged back by long list of problems. Poor writing (point of view violations, "telling" not "showing" too often), near zero characterisation (Lyre meets Iorek and within pages they form a bond), a meandering plot (reads like a checklist), inconsistencies (characters not using the alethiometer for arbitrary reasons), and a predictable back-story (the protagonists parentage), are just a few of the nuisances that made me roll my eyes with despair at this book.

The author certainly had some good ideas at the start, but I couldn't help but feel I was reading a first draft. Perhaps the series improves, but quite frankly I can't be bothered to find out when there are far superior alternatives in the world of speculative fiction.

Brilliant
I had seen this book previously in shops but had never really payed attention to it, I finally picked it up and read the blurb realising it sounded quite good.
In the beginning it describes the meaning and involvement with "Dust" as I am not an adult (No offence to anyone my age!) I found it quite confusing but still read on. The book suddenly captured me and became an instant page-turner it seemed to make you feel as if you were actually there. I have to say tha Phillip Pullman has done an excellant job on this book and it has got to be a must read for everyone. I definately reccomend this fabulous book to all confident readers.