Description The final volume in the award-winning His Dark Materials fantasy series joins returning characters with new ones and reveals startling revelations while the battle for the Kingdom of Heaven rages on and ultimately unlocks the secret of Dust.
Reviews Customer Booksource Brandi Meineke, Collection Development Specialist Star Star Star Star Star 9/6/2011 4:19:08 PMIn this final installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy much time is taken to explore the variety of worlds introduced in earlier novels. This book is a great addition to the first two books in the series, The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, but those who have not read these books will be rather lost. This is one of those series that is best read in order. Lyra spends many of the opening chapters in an unnatural coma. She is being cared for and drugged by her mother, Mrs. Coulter. It seems like Mrs. Coulter is genuine in her new found love for her daughter, but is completely clueless how to best help her child. During her unconsciousness Lyra has a vision that she is speaking with several of her friends who have died. She promises them that she will find them and help them. Her guilt over leading Roger to his death is something that Lyra will carry with her forever. After a daring rescue from Mrs. Coulter by Will, Lyra decided to keep her promise to the deceased she was connected to while she was in a coma. This is a step towards fulfilling a prophecy unbeknownst to Lyra. It has been predicted that Lyra will bring an end to destiny at the expense of a great betrayal. There are many ways to interpret this statement, but the theocracy she lives in continues to take no chances. Determined to stay in power, they will go to endless lengths to make sure that nothing challenges their position. As the novel progresses their assassin moves closer and closer to the children. The mysterious substance known as Dust is further explained in this book. It is something akin to life. The dust flows and forms life, then when life is lost that part of dust becomes trapped in the underworld. It is the disappearance of Dust that has caused troubles and catastrophes that are prevalent in all of the worlds. As Lyra leads the souls of the dead out of the underworld there is Dust in abundance again. But the windows carved between the worlds are tiny portals through which the Dust will continue to escape. Because of this every window must be closed, including the one between Will and Lyra’s worlds. This thought provoking series will not disappoint fans of the fantasy genre. Many adult topics are briefly discussed. Religion is often criticized severely, so many teachers many not want to read and discuss it as an entire class. But this is a great series to keep on hand for students to enjoy during independent reading. Icon Post Your Review