[Vroomfondel]

Anyone here fans of Philip Pullman's DARK MATERIALS Trilogy?

[Alucard]

It's fantastic. There are so many original and thought provoking concepts in these books that it's a wonder it hasn't gotten more recognition. If you havent read them, go and do that now. You won't be sorry.

[Cadfael]

So...? Tell us the books to get http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Alucard]

Get the golden compass. That's where it all starts. Best book I've read in a while.

Then it goes on to the subtle knife and the amber spyglass.

[Rob B]

This is a magnificent series. There were some discussions here when The Amber Spyglass first came out.

Pullman creates a believable world, much like our own. The setting is Oxford Universty, where the Church pretty much runs everything. One character, Lord Raziel takes on the Authority (GOD) by asking the question Why? The main story is of his niece, Lyra and how she tries to follow him as he crosses the barrier.

The tale follows Lyra to our world and a few others. One of my favorite characters, the Polar Bear Warrior Iorek Bjornsen (sp?) is a companion of Lyras.

It was one of the better trilogies I've read in the past few years.

DennizM, don't be shy of this because of the crossover aspect, fellow Ur-Lord and White Gold Wielder!

Alucard--The Amber Spyglass was nominated for the World Fantasy Award.

[Alucard]

Really? I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the tid-bit.

And yes, Iorek does kick arse.

[Vroomfondel]

Iroek is probably one of my favorite characters from any and all fantasy. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[BoxingGriffin]

I had somehow gotten the idea in my head that Dark Materials was more of a young adult type series. Is that totally off base? Not that this would keep me from reading it - I have read the Harry Potter series (to see what my students were getting into) and really enjoyed it.

BG

[Alucard]

It's not young adult, it's more of a universal title. But then again, I think the same thing about harry potter(which I thought were fantastic). I don't consider harry potter childish, the lack of sex and extreme violence doesn't make it a children's book to me. Simply for the fact that harry potter stumped me more than once, and had a number of plot twists that caught me off guard, I don't consider it "Kids stuff". To me, these kind of books are written so that most anyone could enjoy them, and depending on your age, on different levels. Though, the dark materials series is a little more "adult" than potter, I must add. It still has a very young protagonist, but don't let that fool you. These books are actually very heavy on some particular concepts, many that wouldn't make a great deal of sense to someone very young. Just try out the first book and I'm pretty sure that you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[Cadfael]

Tnhis is no word of a lie...

My son mark have just brought this book back from the library... it is called Northern Lights, he has had for 3 days... and I had no idea... so I will give it a goo when he has done with it....


... I shall now go and stand over him to make sure he reads it.... FAST!!!