Chatterbox: Blab About Books

I read this a few months ago, but never got around to make a thread on it. I found it again at my library and checked out Golden Compass again.

I really, really love Golden Compass. The world is so fascinating, just close enough to our world to keep it from being strange, but with those odd quirks that make it fantasy. The characters are well drawn out and the journey into the North interesting. I also like how the challenge is introduced, and yet it doesn't take over the story.

I wasn't all that impressed with Subtle Knife or Amber Spyglass, however. I didn't like Will's character. I didn't like how Lyra changed so much. I especially didn't like how their "romance" (which seemed too grown up considering they're only thirteen) was the focal point of the story--and the realization that they loved each other was so...brief? And predictable. The plot of Subtle Knife didn't tie into Golden Compass enough, it seemed, and no world was stayed in long enough to develop it.

My favorite part of Amber Spyglass, therefore, was the parts with Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel. I loved their moral ambiguity, how they were on opposite sides but eventually came together to defeat the dark angel. And how they died so dramatically! I loved that chapter and read it over and over again. I'd reread Amber Spyglass just for that chapter.

It is all and all an epic work, and I recommend it. The only pitfalls is when it stops being epic, for the small parts aren't as good as the larger scopes. But it is inspiring and imaginative, and I applaud Phillip Pullman's effort.