I had a hard time getting settled into the final volume of the trilogy, as the multi-layered cast was flung across the far reaches of the universe(s). It was even dry at certain intervals,but I'm so glad I stayed with it. The ending. Oh the ending. Have a box of tissues handy. As I look back at the themes, I'm sure many would accuse Pullman of blasphemy. Since I'm not a member of any church, I could look at his views with a more open mind. I wasn't offended...quite the contrary. What I found in those pages was nothing short of story that focuses on what it truly means to be human, to have the capability to love with all the aspects of our being.