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The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials) by: Philip Pullman

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Rating: - Lyra left behind

I don't know really where to begin, as I know that I am about to write a negative review about a book that is loved by so many. I have found both the Subtle Knife and its predecessor, Northern Lights, to be terribly hard going at times. Northern Lights took three chapters to get me even vaguely hooked, while the Subtle Knife almost lost me half way through.

It is hard to put my finger on what I don't like. The characters for one, are difficult to identify with. Lyra is wonderful in the first book, you care what happens to her. In the Subtle Knife she is a little girl, not a heroine, and it is Will who you find yourself rooting for. Other than that, the periphery characters are uninspiring or too confusing to be memorable, Mrs Coulter for example is now able to control 'Spectres', and the whole Grumman as a Shaman episode - these things are not explained properly - a 13-16 year old may not want further explanation but an adult certainly does.

Some of the writing is excellent, the battle scene involving Lee Scoresby did make me gasp aloud, but to hear Pullman repeatedly compared to Tolkein is laughable. Pullman's world does not lack a vivid imagination (Oxford's alter ego in the first book is a particular triumph) but he is clearly writing for a younger audience, so of course lacks Tolkein's depth. It is easier to compare him to CS Lewis, as they were writing for a similar age group. That is where the comparison ends, the Chronicles of Narnia eclipse His Dark Materials on every level, the characters, the worlds, the battles, the heroism.

I will read the final book, but only out of duty, as I left Lyra behind at the end of Northern Lights, and I don't think I am going to care what happens to Will for much longer.

Rating: - Another stunner from Pullman!

I love these books so much. I have read them over and over, and they never get old. The Subtle Knife, being the middle book, is a continuation of Lyra's story and a bridge to the third book, The Amber Spyglass, but it is a brilliant story alone. The character of Will is absorbing and perfect in this story. Read these books and love them!!

Rating: - A Wonderful, Compelling, Emotional Read

The Subtle Knife is a wonderful, compelling, emotional read. The superlatives in all the reviews that have been posted here should be enough to make anyone buy this book, and if they aren't, I'll add my own.

This is my favourite book in the trilogy. It brings Will into Lyra's life, and in doing that creates a pair of children whose relationship is one of the most amazing you will ever read. The pair of them bring to life so much that any reader will identify with as they go on their extraordinary quest to save the worlds they know.

In my opinion, this is the most intense and exciting of the three books. The plot moves faster than in Northern Lights, where the scene is set, and than in the Amber Spyglass, where everything is brought to a close. Of course, I don't know what you'd make of it without reading Northern Lights first, and my advice would strongly be - DON'T.

This is one of the greatest series of all time. Start at the beginning, but then get here. And when you do, you'll be so impressed.

Rating: - Loved it

I wasn't too sure about Northern Lights and didnt feel compelled to read the next book straight away. However after a couple of people recommended the Subtle Knife i decided to try it. I was very glad i did! it is a fantastic fast paced book! much better than the first. Lee Scoresby's battle was very moving and i also find myself wanting to know what happened to Moxie! such is the way that Pullman makes you love the characters and care what happens to them. I am now reading my way through the last book Amber Spyglass - its started off as good as the Subtle Knife!

Rating: - Good middle book

I loved it... It's different from the first one though. The first book concentrates mainly on Lyra, her strange world, her feelings, the things she has to go through.
The second book starts of with a new character, Will, who lives in our world and escapes to an other world, the one where Lyra also finds herself. Both start out with a different quest, but help eachother along the way.
It's the middle book in a trilogy, so you get a lot more questions then you get answers to new and old questions.
It's true that some of the wonder that was in the first book is not in this one, maybe because one of the worlds it's set in is our onw world and we thus know it already. New characters are introduced, old ones reappear, some are not mentioned again but will reappear in the third novel.
Some parts are maybe a bit difficult for children to understand and they certainly won't get all the links to history, but thiw makes them really enjoyable for adults.
All in all I really liked the book and can't wait to finish the third one !

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