The Subtle Knife By Philip Pullman.

Author: Philip Pullman
ISBN: 978-0-439951-79-1
Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction.
Pages: 325
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic

"What is he? A Friend, Or an Enemy?" "He's a Murderer"

"Will has just killed a man. He's on the run. His escape will take him far beyond his own world, to the eerie disquiet of a deserted city, and to a girl, Lyra. Her fate is strangely linked to his own, and together they must find the most powerful weapon in all the worlds."

This is the second in the 'His Dark Materials' series. Having enjoyed the first 'Northern Lights' I was looking forward to following the story about Lyra and how it all turns out. From the first page I was hooked, and I very quickly became attached to Will. In fact I prefer Will to Lyra.
Having read two of the books, although I enjoy them I don't really connect with Lyra. But I like her Daemon. I don't know why? I just don't feel enough from her in the book, may be that will change in the third book for me? I loved The Witches, The Shaman and the different world in this book, in fact I loved a lot of things.
I did see some similarities in this book compared to J K Rowling Harry Potter series. The Spectres in this book, seem no different to the Dementors in Harry Potter.

In The Subtle Knife, how the different worlds are explained, is actually similar to something I believe in. But I won't go into all that stuff lol.

Anyhow, the story is about how Will after making sure his mum is safe, goes on the run in search of his father. He finds himself in a different world to his own where he meets Lyra. This worls is very different from his own. There they begin to help each other and a new journey begins in Lyra's quest.

In my opinion this book is better than Northern Lights, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was quickly drawn into the book, was able to visualize the scenery the people and the adventures that took place. A very good read and so far a brilliant series!

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.

Author: Philip Pullman
ISBN: 978-0-439951-78-4
Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction.
Pages: 397
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic


""Without this child, we shall all die."

Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witch-clans reign and ice-bears fight. Her extraordinary journey will have immeasurable consequences far beyond her own world..."

It was last year that I first heard about Philip Pullman. After J K Rowling had released her last installment of the HP series. I saw a lot of people on the internet recommending Philip Pullman. My sister in-law also recommended the 'His Dark Materials' but I never got around to getting them until, the release of 'The Golden Compass' on the Cinema (which I haven't watched).
I was a little put off by all the hype with this book (due to the Cinema release) but I decided to try it. I am pleased I did.

I really did enjoy this book, I liked Lyra, and I loved the whole thing about having Daemonds, and not being able to live without the other, and the search for Dust.
Lyra was a likeable character and a strong willed one who won't let anything stop her. I also liked her Bear friend, Iorek Byrinson, he was a strong character and I am hoping we'll see him in the next book (not sure about that though considering....)
This book was fast paced and easy to get into, there was barely a boring moment and I was gripped all the way through. It was easy to visualize the scenery described, and feel the emotions that were expressed, and to also have a good vision of the characters throughout. Both children and adults will enjoy this book. I just wish my son would sit down and read, as he'd love it!

There's two characters I didn't like in the book and yes of course it's Mrs Coulter and Lord Asriel. Nasty nasty people!!!! :)


Definitely worth reading, and I am really looking forward to reading the next installment which I shall start today. I am hoping to see Lyra grow more as a person and to find out more about what it is she must do. She seems a very lonely person, with only the love of her daemon to comfort her. But I'd better shut up or I'll end up giving some of the story away to those who haven't read it.

Oh yes and, I'm not even going to compare this to J K Rowling's HP series, as I loved her books too.