The Amber Spyglass

This is the final volume of Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and it is utterly spellbinding. Here is an epic, kaleidoscopic story that stretches the boundaries of the reader's imagination on a fascinating flight of fantasy. Will is on a quest to find the beloved and blessed Lyra, the girl-Eve whom many are seeking, some to destroy. He is armed with the all-powerful subtle knife which enables him to move freely between worlds. Ultimately he knows he must deliver the knife to Lord Asriel - as he promised his dead father. Lyra has a terrifying debt to pay in the land of the dead and Will's love for her takes him into the depths of that desperate place. There is spine-tingling suspense and real horror in these chapters, which make the light, when it comes, even more satisfying. Pullman's prose is rich and evocative, his characters are a mixture of the peculiar, the terrifying and the repulsive; all are multi-dimensional, like the tale itself. The story travels across continents and landscapes, peoples and cultures. Spectres and ghosts, witches and creatures from nightmares populate this colourful tale. This is an action-packed thriller; an exciting adventure story; and much more besides. It is a story of the ever-changing nature of spiritual growth. Every character, in every form, undergoes this growth in their journey to the end of the story. And the journey is the ultimate one - the quest for wisdom and true understanding. Pullman's exquisite attention to detail and formidable imagination are awe-inspiring. This is a complex, compelling and multi-faceted tale. The story moves along at a gripping pace but retains a depth that constantly challenges the reader's perceptions. It builds on understanding, layer by subtle layer, until it reaches the intriguing but satisfying conclusion. This is a book that can be read and enjoyed on many levels and will continue to fascinate. It is a story of the many layers of existence, of worlds which 'lie over each other... like transparent images on two sheets of film being moved closer and closer'. It is about seeing beyond normal sight and ahead of accepted reality. A stunning book that should not be missed. (Kirkus UK)