Oh dear - Rated 
If there was a zero star I would have to put that. The worst thing is reading a book where an author obviously has strange, misguided and warped opinions and hang-ups regarding society, sexuality and religious faiths and puts them into the mouths of his or her little invented characters (which all reveal a little part of the writer). Even the characters themselves are weird and un-likable and get up to revolting and unsavoury things. If you take the entire conception of this trilogy as a possible reality and to it's obvious conclusion you would go mad with no hope. I read these books out of interest and was very disappointed. What strange ideas throughout the whole vein of these stories. I would definately recommend Narnia instead where the characters are likable and the pleasant good overcoming bad concludes the adventure nicely. As the author said he loathes the Narnia series, this is a very poor attempt at the opposite side to Aslan and Narnia. I recently read 'The pied piper of atheism' which shows all the creepy, warped and sad thoughts behind the motive and intention of these fictional books. Surely fiction is a little retreat into a nice adventure rather than popping into the mind of a bit of a strange person with obvious bitterness and anger than needs to be reconcilled.
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC - Rated 
By Alex aged 10
This book is suspense-ridden and has loads and loads of fantastic descriptions. The way Pullman uses metaphors and describes the scenery is utterly stunning. The characters are very well thought out and have several layers of personality. Lyra, at the start lives wild and carefree at Jordan college (most of the time spent on the roofs) having loads of fun spoiled only occasionally by a boring visit by her Uncle. The way he sets the scene makes your imagination go crazy. I like the way he has chopped and changed our world and added bits of that world. I think daemons are a fantastic idea and wouldn't mind having one myself. I think Lord Asriel is an absolutely fantastic character. One moment kind and gentle the next rough and demanding. Mrs.Coulter is so evil she's almost serpent like, the way she actually enjoyed watching the children in pure agony, amongst other things. The Gyptians are supposed to be gypsies I found out after some research, and the word he used was derived from the Egyptian word. The armoured bears were so remarkably un human-like even though they can talk and have opposable thumbs. The descriptions of the aurora are so in-depth I think he Philip Pullman must have gone and seen them himself, here is just one of descriptions, Lyra watched as the aurora grew more intense. The first veils of translucent colour trembled and raced to one side, and jagged curtains folded and unfolded above, increasing in size and brilliance every minute; arcs and loops swirled across from horizon to horizon and touched the very zenith with bows of radiance. If that description doesn't tell you that Philip Pullman is an absolutely fantabbywhatsadooda author then you don't like books, as plain as that. The thing I admire the most about his writing is his choice of words and his way of setting the scenes. His words are so adept you almost see through Lyra's eyes. This book is one of the best children's books ever written (In my opinion) and as you read through the trilogy they get better.
Good start but poor overall - Rated 
This book starts with potential and promise but the initial rush gets dragged back by long list of problems. Poor writing (point of view violations, "telling" not "showing" too often), near zero characterisation (Lyre meets Iorek and within pages they form a bond), a meandering plot (reads like a checklist), inconsistencies (characters not using the alethiometer for arbitrary reasons), and a predictable back-story (the protagonists parentage), are just a few of the nuisances that made me roll my eyes with despair at this book.
The author certainly had some good ideas at the start, but I couldn't help but feel I was reading a first draft. Perhaps the series improves, but quite frankly I can't be bothered to find out when there are far superior alternatives in the world of speculative fiction.
Brilliant - Rated
I had seen this book previously in shops but had never really payed attention to it, I finally picked it up and read the blurb realising it sounded quite good.
In the beginning it describes the meaning and involvement with "Dust" as I am not an adult (No offence to anyone my age!) I found it quite confusing but still read on. The book suddenly captured me and became an instant page-turner it seemed to make you feel as if you were actually there. I have to say tha Phillip Pullman has done an excellant job on this book and it has got to be a must read for everyone. I definately reccomend this fabulous book to all confident readers.
Brilliantly Imaginative - Rated 
This was my second reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The good things about the book are mainly ideas which seem to me to be original and these include:
* Locating the story in a parallel universe, very similar to our own but with fascinating differences;
* The concept of the daemons which each person has and the understanding of human loneliness;
* The meeting with another rational species (the bears) and the recognition of differences and similarities.
The weaknesses of the book in my view include:
* It becomes unbelievable - Lyra has too much success too easily;
* The other characters are under developed and in some cases weak and wishy-washy. Prime example of this is Roger.
There has been some fuss that the book(s) are anti Christian. To my mind this is not the case. Any evil power (what ever name it is given) should be opposed and the fact that in this book the evil power is called the church (or Magisterium) does not make the book anti Christian. Indeed in my opinion there is much that will stimulate the mind to consider religious ideas (for example: the mystery of dust; the battle between good and evil; the partial (humble) knowledge of the witches; the abuse of power; the importance of protecting the weak and vulnerable).
Of course there is a danger that the Church today (in our world) will act in a similar way (as it may have done in the past). So the book comes as a powerful warning to the Church that it must never use and abuse power in pursuit of its goals. Christians should welcome this book!
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