Back in 2003, the BBC launched a poll to find the nation's favourite book. I have been on a very loose mission, (and by loose mission, I mean I am probably still stuck in the airport) to re-read this list of books. I'm not going to lie, it has been a bit hit and miss, but today I am ticking off the third favourite on the list, which is actually a series of 3 books. 2 of the 3 books I have already read and reviewed on the blog. Toady is the day I complete this series. woohoo!

His Dark Materials Book 1 - Northern Lights

His Dark Materials Book 2 - The Subtle Knife

There is a lot to unpack here, so let's get stuck in shall we?

Read all about my BBC Big Read Re-Read Challenge

When I first read this book way back when it was published in 2000, it took me about 3 goes to really get into it. I knew I had enjoyed the series and was perplexed at why I was struggling to engage with the story. And here we come my top tip for the novel. If you can, try and read the series in quick succession. Don't wait a year between books like I did, there are so many themes, complexities, and threads that it is hard to keep track at times. If you wait a year you won't stand a chance!

Will and Lyra, whose fates are bound together by powers beyond their own worlds, have been violently separated. But they must find each other for ahead of them lies the greatest war that has ever been - and a journey to a dark place from which no one has ever returned.

If I'm honest, dear reader I am not sure how I feel about this book. I adored Northern Lights which I found breathtaking, Subtle Knife was excellent but a little bit of a slog. The Amber Spyglass is a mix of breathtakingly beautiful writing whilst trying very hard to be very clever. At it's heart we have Will and Lyra, from two different worlds. Growing up fast, and trying to escape, or find their way home, they are guided by 2 Angels. Both are aware that they form part of a prophecy and at some point will be forced to make a terrible choice.

But there are other threads, a story of Mary Malone, researching Dust in a strange land living amongst curious creatures known as the Mulefa. We follow an assassin from the Church who is on a terrible mission to kill Lyra before she makes the choice which will have catastrophic consequences for the Church. And our favourite characters from the previous books - Lord Faa, Serafina Pekkala, Iorek the Bear all pop back into the story at different times.

Pullman seems keen to question the Church and propose his own theories, and I did find myself tuning out at these times if I am being honest.

But goodness, the writing is wonderful. Lyra and Will's journey to the land of the dead where Lyra is forced to leave her daemon Pantalaimon behind, left me with a heavy feeling in my chest, and almost sobbing - the writing conveying the feeling of leaving something behind that is intrinsically part of you.

Witches, spectres, cliff-ghasts, the wonderful Gallivespians add to this world , and do not get me started on the machiavellian Mrs Coulter and Lord Asriel.

Pullman has created a brilliant universe, clearly defined and invites us to step into this world. He challenges us with religious and philosophical theory and at times he almost breaks our hearts with the storytelling and grave sense of loss. The book is closely interwoven with the stories of Blake, Milton and Dante. It is a lot to read and understand. But is still rather exciting to read. There is nothing quite like Pullman and nor do I think there will be ever again.

I'm pleased I have completed this series, and this can be ticked off my BBC Big Read list. Oh look! there is Lord of the Rings waiting in the wings. hahaha.