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I had read the set before and I would equate it with the Narnia series and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It does satirize Christianity deservedly and combines the right touch of magic and imagined alternatives to our humdrum ordinary life. Bad guys lose; good guys suffer some losses, but win in the end. Best of all, this happens in the books' here and now, rather in some promised hereafter that all to often appears to be a set of empty promises. While sometimes seeming to be backing the heroes into a hopeless corner, deliverance comes in some form. The author's descriptions are done well enough to give the reader visual pictures that are plausible. This includes the talking animals. Every human owned by a pet today knows that talking animals are not so unusual, only the ability to respond in same language. I would heartily recommend this trilogy to any teen or adult, and possibly to a mature pre-teen or two. And if they cannot buy the books, then by all means, RUN, do not walk to the nearest Public Library to get the books and read them at least once!Read full review
I won't receive these books until I return to TX ni January 2023. However, I began watching parts of the televised series ...and these bits and pieces have me wanting to read the trilogy. I hadn't heard of the books before and am eager to dive in. They are aimed for young adults and older and think they have universal appeal. $6.00 and free s/h for the three slip cased books seemed great. I know I won't be disappointed.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
After reading the Lord of the Rings series, I noticed that many books of the fantasy genre simply use the series as a template for whatever story they are writing. They may change some names of specific events, places, etc or even change the setting or else they have taken what they found useful and convenient from the series. The thing I found most enjoyable about the His Dark Materials series was how unique and original it was. For the sake of not spoiling the story for future readers I will give a vague idea of the main pros and cons and use The Lord of the Rings as a comparison. Pros: 1.Character development is far superior to that of LOR. From the get-go, you are drawn to the protagonist of the story and sympathize with her all the way throughout all the books 2. The plot is very engaging although slightly and very briefly predictable at times in the first book when it comes to the protagonists 3. There are certain characteristics and assets that are unique to this story that other would scream PLAGIARISM if they saw it elsewhere (like lightsabers in Star Wars or "expecto patronum" in Harry Potter). Cons: 1. I personally loved the protagonist in the first book and felt she was somehow changed by the author in order to adapt to her fellow star in the following books 2. There is a controversial "love" story (although it lacks any sexuality) due to the ages of the participants in the last books Altogether, it is a great series. I'm not at all surprised it isn't as popular as other mainstream fantasy literature (LOR, Harry Potter, etc) mainly because those books were made into movies. The first of the His Dark Materials was made into a movie, however, (which they absolutely butchered...) but the other two had two much in them and Hollywood decided to be decent enough and leave them alone (Thank God!)Read full review
This trilogy is entertaining and imaginative, especially as children (and adults!) envision these well described worlds and creatures so like and dislike that which we know. The author keeps the reader spellbound in imaginary worlds where moral questions are asked but no answers are spoonfed, leaving an opening for great conversations. The story line and relationships of the charachters are developed fully so that you feel you know and nderstand things just as the main character learns. Sometimes you cringe as you know what could waiting around the next corner, and sometimes you are surprised. A beautiful juxtapositioning to keep the reader on their toes.
I hated the first book, hence I only got to about page 40. Can't speak for the last two. I found the first book completely non-engaging. I found myself not giving a rats hoot about any of the characters. I found myself not caring if I ever read any further. Maybe I just didn't "get it", but I found the strange juxtaposition of a fantasy world with the real world as we know it very disjointed. The blending in of the "Church", the "made up" places with bits of places that really exist, the made up groups of peoples that sort of corresponded with the real world were to me, just silly, not to mention confusing and annoying. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to take place in the past, present or future. Was it Earth, another planet, another dimension? Who knows and who cares? Certainly not I! I couldn't tell if there were bad guys, good guys, and what the bleep were these "daemons" that everyone had? And as for the plot...what plot? I couldn't dig one out of this pile with a backhoe. To compare to other authors, I have found both Tolkien and Rowling books completely engrossing from the first printed word. I understood completely who the characters were, I loved them, both the good ones and the evil ones. I couldn't wait to read the next page and the next. These Pullman books are just...I don't know...STUPID! BUT...go ahead and read them for yourself. It seems I may be the ONLY one in the UNIVERSE that HATED at least the first one enough to NEVER read any of the others. Comments, anyone?Read full review
