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

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Rating: - Can I give ten stars?

If you haven't read 'Northern Lights' then this book may not make much sense to you. Having read the first book in the trilogy, I couldn't wait to receive this one, to find out what happened to the characters!

I feel that this book is incredibly well written, and will appeal to a wide range of readers. I strongly recommend buying the whole trilogy!

Rating: - 5 stars by a mile

I'm normally reluctant to give 5 stars as overusage makes truly classic books difficult to differentiate, particularly when the book is part of an all-too-common trilogy. However I had no qualms about doing it here.
The Subtle Knife develops the main character Lyra from her adventures and early path to maturity in the Northern Lights and introduces her key comrade Will, as they battle together against and with forces they do not understand.

The story line is tight, well structured and flows at a remarkable pace. The way in which Pullman brings modern theories of Physics into an adventure story is quite an achievement.

A wonderful read.

Rating: - Nothing subtle about this knife

An extremely worthy follow-up to The Golden Compass, this installment begins in our world, and switches to other worlds and back. A new character is introduced, a young boy with a destiny as complex as Lyra, the child heroine from book one.

Thrown together by forces neither can comprehend, Will and Lyra search for their respective fathers, battling against deadly and cunning enemies, and having to use their wits and instinct every step of the way.

They soon learn that their destinies are interlinked, and set off on a quest involving witches, magic, the golden compass and a treasure of untold value, the subtle knife. The knife is an extremely powerful weapon that can cut through any known material, including air. It protects the bearer from peril, but the bearer pays a terrible price and carries an impossibly heavy burden.

Filled with adventure and magic, this is a must-read if you've already read the first one.

Amanda Richards

Rating: - Perfect, Second best books ever (after Harry Potter Books)

Philip Paulman has truly outdone himself once more. After reading Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) which was recommended on bloomsbury.com for readers of Harry Potter, waiting for the next book, I was completely overwhelmed. I lost no time whatsoever before heading to the nearest bookstore and buying all three books. I started reading The Subtle knife after 7 hours of finishing the previous. The second part of his dark materials is an amazingly written page turner. However, if you are highly religious (Christian) I do not even advise you to finish reading this review! The book is frightfully blasphemous; one of the major minor plots in this volume is seeking the abolishment of God, the authority, as he is referred to in the book. I find myself until now confused, upon reaching the end, should I forget how Will is now on a mission to help Put and end to God, and just think ho great the book is? Or should I hate the book? I answer myself truthfully; I would not hate the book or the author in a million years. The reality is simple; the books are shockingly provocative yet brilliantly written masterpieces, Holy Books for all I care. But the problem lies there. True, the book is well written and extremely satisfying, however take away the rebellion against The Heavens, another attempt like Lucifer's, and the book is rather boring. So all I am trying to say is that if you, like me, have no problems with being guilty after reading such literature, go ahead and buy the books. They are a must to have in every Harry Potter, or none HP, fan's library. If you fell that you will not read the third part to find out if they (will not say who incase you decide to read the book) will succeed in killing god, then do not read this novel, because it is a pity to not know the ending. Personally I found that all the Blaspheme was not offensive to me. I would not call myself religious, but still even with my Christian beliefs; I found it ok that someone would want to destruct the church and its highest authority. We see it every day. So to sum up all that long slightly boring article: READ THE BOOKS THEY ARE GREAT. The ending is so gripping that you just turn and turn the pages not believing that they have ended, you want more and more. One will not be satisfied with just one read. I have reached my third. Almost at the end of each chapter will you find your mouths open at the horrors or delights in store.
"Destined to become a classic" Detroit free press.
"...the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings, it is as intellectually thrilling as it is magnificently written" New statesman

Rating: - Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding!

This is the second book in His Dark Materials trilogy and quite frankly its outstanding. in this book Lyra (who is introduced in the first book-The Northen Lights)has traveled into a diffrent world to find her father. She finds the streets of this new world seemingly deserted so when she meets Will Parry she takes an intrest in him.
Will is not native to this world either however he is not from Lyras. Lyra promises to help Will find his father. So with the help of her beloved fortune telling tool, Will and Lyra set out on their mission.
During their travels Will falls into possesion of the Subtle Knife which has a blade that can cut any material in any of the many worlds. As the story goes on Will and Lyra grow closer and discover many hidden secrets about the universe.
The story has the whole pakage; Angels, Witches, Armoured Bears, friendship, laughs, imagination, susspense, fantasy and best of all three diffrent worlds to take your pick from!
The book is bursting with fantasies that you would find hard to dream about in a million dreams yet Pullman manages to put them on the pages of one book! And carry them on into the third book of triogy, which is equally as thrilling to read.
So the question that I ask myself is: is Philip Pullman a genius? Of corse! He would have to be to write such a magnificent story.
The only thing i would say is that this is a very complex plot so if you think you may have trouble reading it then wait for a while untill you feel confidant enough to.
I've it once before and I'll say it again this is a truley OUTSTANDING book, so please, please go out and buy it!
- Cheers, E.S.N

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