His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.
Have you read this series? What do you think?
I love His Dark Materials Trilogy. But then again I love most Pullman books. His characters are intriguing and his plot is always amazing.
If you want a series that deals with everything from armoured bears, to religion, to the relationship between a mother and a daughter I would strongly recommend this Trilogy.
Alainna
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125,006 Literary Works • 672,809 Reviews
I've read them
They were very good and exciting! My favourite was the first book 
The ending was ... :X
These books are amazing. The creativity and breadth of the story is wonderful, and his themes are powerful and important. Pullman's writing style is excellent as well.
Have you tried any other Pullman books? What about The Butterfly Tattoo? If you liked this series then you would probably like his other pieces.
Alainna
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I've read HDM and I loved them to death. Then I reread them...and I loved them even more!
I couldn't agree more!
Because they change all that stuff I didn't know Harry Potter was set in England until the movie came out. =/
YES!!
I really struggled with liking Lord Of The Rings but I love Harry Potter. And yet I also love this series which is more of a cross between the two- just more original. If you give it a go you won't get bored; trust me.
Alainna
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I would definitely read them, because they are decent books. However, you may find them a bit of a struggle, as they are more Tolkeiny than Pratchett or Rowling, mostly due to the lack of humour. Just power on through them, it took my a couple of goes to actually get into the first one, but once you're there, it's all good!
I've never read His Dark Materials but have been meaning to. Would anyone here recommend it to someone who doesn't like Lord of the Rings, likes Terry Pratchett and Harry Potter?
I have been thinking about borrowing be books, and everyone seems to be confusing me with whether I should read them or not.
Help?
Oh, sorry for confusing everyone!!
I hate the fact that the American version of books have to have different titles. What's wrong with 'Northern Lights'? They did that with 'Junk' as well......called it 'Smack' in America. Which I think is silly 'cos they're by English authors and are set in England...so they should have the English titles...
Alainna
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EDIT: Looks like I just had a bit of a rant.....oops..
That's exactly right. The proper title for the first book is 'Northern Lights' but they changed it (they seem to be getting into the habit of doing it these days) for the American version. 'The Golden Compass' is also the name for the upcoming film.
Must be a different title then, like Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone.
I have the first book under the name "The Golden Compass."
"The Book of Dust" is a companion novel to HDM, and, like I said before, concentrates on the backstories of the more minor characters, and also continues Lyra's story.
No, there isn't a fourth......it's a trilogy. 'The Golden Compass' is the film version of 'Northern Lights' that is due for release soonish.
I'm hoping that the film doesn't irritate me as much as the Harry Potters do. I just hate it when long books are made into films......it kills them. I have such vivid imagery from the books that I think the film will not be able to even get close to. As for Daniel Craig....already to me the casting just doesn't suit.
However, I did see 'Northern Lights' and 'The Subtle Knife' as a play and it worked really well. Even the Daemons looked good.
Alainna
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Zomg. There was another book? After the third and there's a further one after that due out soon?! I hadn't known... I must say I'm amazed. I usually know everything regarding these things...hmm..
Gah, I have to reread the Golden Compass before the film comes out.
His Dark Materials has to be my second favourite series (to Harry Potter). I own all three of the books and could probably recite them in my sleep. xD
Well, from the trailers I've seen so far, the film looks quite good. I personally wouldn't have had Daniel Craig as my first choice for Lord Asriel, but hey, look what they said about him doing Bond! Also, they've got Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, and Eva Green as Serafina Pekkala, who, I think, will play the parts very well.
The Oxford in the film looks very different to how I imagine it, but not bad. Fingers crossed, it's gonne be good!
Lol, my sentiments exactly! I LOVED the Golden Compass, though the last 10-20 pages threw me a bit. I got about half way through Amber Spyglass before drifting off into other books. After hearing from a friend how intollerably preachy and creepy the 3ed book was, I have no regrets about quitting the series. I cannot praise the first book enough, though, it was brillian: I just wish the others followed suit.
I saw the movie previews for The Golden Compass and knew that I had to read these books. I've been looking for copies and am about to go to a Scholastic Warehouse sale on Wednesday, so I'll look for them there. After reading these reviews, I can't wait to read the series.
Loved this series! The idea is just amazing and I wish I had a Daemon. Wasn't so fond on Lyra's Oxford I'll admit but in general the series was great and I can't wait for the film.
Heres what i think about the three books
Book one - One of the greatest books i read in my life.
Book two - Really bad
Book three - er... good
Lyra's Oxford was slightly irritating. The damn shortness, and the fact that it came to no resolution annoyed me. Grrr. The Book of Dust should be out in a year or two. That sounds good. All the background stories of the more minor characters, like Serafina Pekkala(s?) and Lee Scoresby. Yay!
I have to agree, the way that he killed off those characters with the whole pit thingy was a bit of an anticlimax.
It's true, this series does stick in your mind...
I hated the follow up book- 'Lyra's Oxford', sometimes things need to end, and not start up again.
Alainna
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First book = pure awesomeness.
Second book = Er... interesting?
Third book = OMG. STOP PREACHING ALREADY.
Of course, I read all of them, but the third book was just too preachy and then the whole STUPID DEATH SCENE just killed it. Really. Whenever my favorite character dies by falling down a bottomless pit, something is wrong. Very wrong.
But the first book = much love. The characters, idea, plot... everything is just so interesting! I wish he would write more consistantly like that, lol.
I thought it was a pretty amazing series. As far as I can remember, I read it a few years back and decided I wanted to be a writer! I guess I owe a lot to that series. I remember really liking Mrs Coulter. I have no idea why. She seemed very vivid to me, I guess. But everything was always so clear in that series. It's amazing I can remember it so well. :p Horrible memory and all. Anyways, just needed to have my say.
I have to agree with Taiven, the second book is the best.
Will is also my favourite character as he is from our world and his story is the one you can relate to the most.
I heard something about a movie being made....the one and only way to kill a book. I hate nearly every film that has been taken from a book that I have read as I have already got a very vivid image and perception of characters and settings and films nearly never reflect my views...
Alainna
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PS. Already read this series? Then check out the Sally Lockheart series or the Broken Bridge or The Butterfly Tattoo!!
I read this series a long time ago but I remember them being incredible. I loved how they were set in our world but with a few differences and tweaks. I'd have to say the second book, The Subtle Knife, was the most intriguing. Will was my favourite character.
By the way, a movie for the first book is coming out this December! You can check it out here...
http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
Yes, I've read them. They're great, but if I'm feeling lazy they can get a tad bit Tolkeiny at times, but apart from that they're brilliant. The wealth of culture, backstory and the colour and richness that is put into them is very refreshing.
The second book was the best, but I loved the Mulefa parts of Amber Spyglass, that was such a display of imagination. Great!
I cant say i have read Dark Materials. we studied Phillip Pullman at highschool though, he seems like a very interesting man!
Meevs
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