It's a really great book. You religious folks who are angry about it, don't ban your kids from reading it. It gives them an alternate view, so they can choose what they think, personally. It is sort of violent, but not bad enough so that a tween can't handle it. It's a must read!
The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials, Book 3
(2000, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Philip Pullman)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Conclusion of greatest fantasy trilogy since LOTR.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–14
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials, Book 3 was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that there's a fair amount of violence here, some gory, though not as much nor as graphic as the second book in the series. Though handled with great delicacy and discretion, part of the plot revolves around the sexual awakening of the two main characters. There are also themes in this one that are bound to upset some religious readers. The author manages to question just about everything about religion in this book while he sends his main characters on trips through heaven and hell. You'll also find more bad guys in the rigid religious institutions than anywhere, and one Father is sent by the church to kill a main character. However, kids caught up in the fantasy and action will probably miss most of the book's theological leanings.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the author's view of religion and whether he looks upon it in a positive or a negative light. What does he believe about organized religion, and why? What is Dust? How is Lyra like Eve? Older teens may also be interested in checking out the book upon which this series is based, poet John Milton's Paradise Lost.
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More on The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials, Book 3
Book Summary
With the help of two lesser angels, Will rescues Lyra, held a drugged captive, at the end of The Subtle Knife by her evil mother, who may or may not have discovered her maternal instinct. Once free, they make for the world of the dead, which, no matter the goodness of the soul, is Hell for everyone. There they work to free the spirits of the dead into oblivion, which is far better than the afterlife they lead.
Meanwhile the Church plots Lyra's murder, as they believe her to be a new Eve, who will bring about another Fall; Lord Asriel readies his forces for battle with Metatron, the angel who has taken over heaven from the decrepit and feeble-minded Authority; Dr. Mary Malone ends up in a world of gentle creatures who can see Dust, and begins making discoveries about the changes all the worlds are suffering; and all the worlds and all the races begin taking sides for the final climactic battle.
Is It Any Good?
It has been said that the His Dark Materials trilogy is Philip Pullman's version of Milton's Paradise Lost. But this third book in the series makes it clear that it's rather a response to Milton, one that, if the book-banners tear their eyes off Harry Potter for a while, could become the Christian Satanic Verses. If you haven't read the first two books, don't even think of trying to read this one first -- Pullman, praise be, wastes no time bringing readers up to speed. In fact, even if you have read the previous books, you may want to reread them before tackling this -- there's a lot to keep track of.
Readers who were expecting the conclusion of the trilogy to make all things clear may be disappointed; Pullman has a lot to say, but he also leaves a lot for readers to figure out themselves. Still, the author hasn't lost his touch -- it's as riveting and fast-paced as ever. His characterizations are even stronger, although his plotting is weaker here than in the first two books; there's a lot of meandering about, setups that promise more than they deliver, and plot lines that just peter out. But Pullman's point, his response to Milton, seems clear enough to perceptive and more mature readers: The only heaven is in our own world, and the best we can hope for after life is oblivion. If your faith is easily offended, stay away. If you agree with the author that Paradise is what we make of it right here and now, great. If not, it's still a feverishly exciting adventure.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Publication date: 10/10/2000
Number of pages: 518, Price: $7.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 12, Read Alone: 12
Number of pages: 518, Price: $7.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 12, Read Alone: 12
Our Members Say
See all 25 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
You'll love it when you're younger, but get it when you're older.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
an inspiring book that makes reader think
I read this book when I was around 12 and I thought it was amazing. It's brilliantly written, with lots of action and great description and an all around inspiring story. The characters are brave and strong and willing to sacrifice for the greater good. It's extremely imaginative and makes you laugh and cry and gets you excited...basically everything a good book should do! Some parts of the book are controversial (in it, there is no heaven and hell)...but I think reading this book was good for me. My parents brought me up with religion, we pray every day and believe strongly in God and heaven and hell. Reading this book just showed me that there are other possibilities. YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR KIDS LOCKED UP FOREVER! Eventually they're going to learn about atheism and sex and stuff like that. I personally feel that it's much better to learn about these things when your parents are still around so you can ask them questions. if you're, say, in college and someone asks you "Hey! How do you KNOW that there's a heaven and a hell? Hmmmm? Why do you believe this?" And it would really suck if you had no answer. When I have kids, I want them to know why I have this belief and why religion makes more sense. PEOPLE NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES!!! There are so many people and things that can influence children and make them question. LET THEM!!!!!! My parents let me question and it made my belief so much stronger. The only reason why someone might wait until they were older to read this book is so that they could better understand the themes and the message. And I guess some parents are worried about the sexual content, but seriously, when I read the book when I was little I didn't even realize that the main characters had had sex. I only noticed it when I re-read the book when I was older. So overall, this book is incredible and inspiring and A REALLY GOOD THING FOR ANYONE TO READ!!!!
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I rate this title pause for age 13 and give it
Not a children's book
This is a thought-provoking and well-written book, but it is not a children's book. There's too much violence, and part of the plot involves the sexual awakening of two twelve-year-olds. I also think the themes of the book are above a child's head. The author interweaves Biblical imagery and allegory to express his belief in atheism. For children, though, who have trouble with abstractions and symbolism, I think it's unlikely that they'd reach the author's intended conclusion that there is no God. Instead, I think they'd take the story at face value and come to the conclusion that there is a God but he is bad and we should rebel against him. Also, there is never a clear dividing line between who is good and who is evil. For example, Lyra's father is supposedly one of the good guys and all the characters are flocking to join his revolution, but in order to set things in motion, he kills an innocent child. Blurred lines between good and evil might be realistic, but it's too confusing for a young child. I think this would be a great book for a teenager, but I'd be hesitant to let a younger child read it.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Best book since the golden compass o wait same series
GOD IN THIS BOOK IS FAKE NOT REAL HE IS AN ORDINARY ANGEL AND PEOPLE ARE TOO SENSITIVE TO THAT HIM BEING KILLED iTS JUST A PERSON IN A BOOK i THINK THAT GOD COULD BE FAKE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE OBCESSED WITH HIM ARE GOING TO BE CRUSHED WHEN THEY REALISE HES FAKE SO I CHOOSE NOT TO BE IN ANY RELIGION AND RELIGION DESTROYS FREEDOM OF THOUGHT p.s. IM ATHIEST
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I rate this title pause for age 14 and give it
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