The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Well, I've finished it. In about four days I have completed the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, with the final book being read today. And I have enjoyed it. There were a number of strands of the story going on all the time, but I managed to just about follow them. Many people have spoken against this trilogy, because it seems to be against the Church, and the main enemy in the book is an organised religion that has many trappings of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church; however, writers have always used different ideas and institutions as inspiration, and the story of friendship and love triumphing (although over what is never entirely clear) and people from different races working together is a positive and encouraging one. Even if the ideas of the Almighty and the Metatron being overcome are slightly absurd and comical in the telling ... It's been a good journey, and journeying is what this book is all about.

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

I managed to read this book within the day ... and I have sought out the final book, The Amber Spyglass, from amongst the books on the bookshelf, this morning. Pullman introduces Will, from our own universe, who clambers through a window to another world, where he meets Lyra, also out of her world. In this world, spectres suck the concentration from adults leaving them listless, but they leave children alone. The two children are still interested in Dust, and Lyra meets with Dr Malone in WIll's world, who may be able to help them - in the final book. There are a few incidents which begin in this book but are not mentioned again - many threads to be tied up in the final book. Right, must go - I've a book to read!

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

I had not really fancied reading this first book in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. I think perhaps because of the width of some of the books, which looked quite long, because of the controversy, the comments that it is anti-Christian, because of the fact that it is fantasy, with daemons, witches, and other such creatures.

However, facing a long tube journey, I decided that now was the opportunity. I would have nothing else to do for 20 minutes - perhaps I could make a start.

And start it I did - that was noon yesterday, and by around 10am this morning I had finished it.

I really enjoyed hearing about Lyra and Pan's travels and adventures, with her alethiometer, the gyptians, a bear clad in sky-metal, trying to rescue Roger and the other children that had been kidnapped by the Gobblers, who were facing the horrors of intercision, and trying to escape from her mother while trying to reach her father. A story of betrayals and heroic actions.

I have now started on "The Subtle Knife", in which Lyra is joined, a few days after "Northern Lights" finishes, by Will, from our universe. More later ...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

It has been done! In about ten hours, I have finished the 600+ page book. I know the fates of Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest. I managed (mainly) without seeing spoilers (I vaguely saw one, a really bad one as it turned out, but fortunately I closed it down quickly so managed to not see all the words clearly and got some of the ideas muddled up, which was good).

The writing itself is not important - in places it is a pedestrian and overwrought, a but cliched, but overall it is gripping, because of the importance of this story. What will happen? Why did the things that have happened in the past happen that way? Towards the end there are some (almost deus ex machina like) revelations, which I enjoyed because I wanted to know them, but perhaps too simply shared! But we are talking about wizards, so these types of revelations are not that unusual - I mean the manner in which they are revealed, not necessarily the revelations themselves!

To be honest, there is not a lot of character development here - we do get to know more about many of the characters, and they do get to know more about themselves, but in the main the characters are by now developed.

(Sorry, this is quite hard to review without giving away any details!)

The best bit was obviously when Snape marries McGonagall. Nice touch, Dumbledore giving them away.

(Would I do that to you? Really?!)

Don't Tell Mummy by Toni Maguire

Why read this book? Well, if you want to read shocking and fairly graphic tales of incestuous rape, then I guess this is the book for you. Not for me, I have to say. Felt I ought to finish it, but I felt it was really lacking in any sort of hope or positive message. The reactions of people who learnt about the situation was appalling, and hopefully police, doctors, social services etc don't react in the same way now, but other than that, I wouldn't really recomment it. It's a strange, morbid fascination sort of book.