The second book in the "Dark Materials" trilogy. Will is 12 years old and he's just killed a man. Determined to discover the truth about his father's disappearance, he steps through a window into another world. There, he meets a girl called Lyra who, like himself, is on a mission.
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At the end of The Northern Lights, Lyra Silvertongue watched in fear and fascination as her father, Lord Asriel, created a bridge between worlds. Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are now lost in an alternate universe where they meet Will Parry, a fugitive from a third universe. Will has found a small window between Cittagazze (a place where children roam unchecked but invisible Specters suck the spirit out of adults) and his Oxford, which, with its Burger Kings and cars, is frighteningly different from the Oxford Lyra knows.
Will's father, an explorer, disappeared years ago, but recently some odd characters have started asking questions about him, and now, having accidentally killed one of them, Will is wanted by the police. Armed with the Subtle Knife, a tool that cuts any material (including that which separates universes) and Lyra's alethiometer, the children set out to find John Parry, with adults of various stripes in desperate pursuit.
Lyra's finest qualities, her courage and quick mind, are stretched to the limit as she has to lie, cheat and steal to keep herself and Will out of danger. However, she must also learn when to tell the truth and when to trust, for, though she does not yet know it, she has a huge part to play in the upcoming battle between Good and Evil.
Review
'The most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings... as intellectually thrilling as it is magnificently written' - New Statesman 'Quite outstanding' - The Scotsman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By I. D. Miller
Format:Hardcover
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 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.
91 of 97 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Let's just get this clear - I will read anything. I am never not in the middle of reading a book. Whenever I know I'm nearly at the end of one book, I go out and buy another. I can't stand not having a book to read. Let's get another thing clear - I'm only thirteen, so adults reading this might not want to read my opinion - that's fine by me. Ok.
I have all the Harry Potter books, and my friend recommended Northern Lights to me because she said it was like a girl power equivalent to Harry Potter. I thought that sounded pretty cool, so I gave it a go. I realised that it is nothing like Harry Potter at all! Harry Potter is a *normal* boy in *our* world doing *normal* stuff with a twist of magic. The "His Dark Materials" trilogy is set mainly in *fantasy* worlds, but I suppose that you could say Lyra is kind of normal. Apart from the fact that she has a little Daemon called Pantalaimon. In fact, to her a daemon is normal - apparently seeing somebody without a daemon is like seeing somebody without a head - that's the kind of thing that makes this trilogy good.
This particular book is better than Northern Lights, in my opinion. There's a boy and a girl (Lyra and Will). They both come from different worlds - but they're kind of like parallel universes - there is an Oxford in Lyra's world, but it has certain features that are different, such as the aforementioned daemons and a certain Jordan College, which is not at the *real* Oxford Uni. Then there's ANOTHER world which is totally different. Things called spectres haunt and drown the souls of the adults, but the kids are unaffected. How creepy? And you can hear angels - and there are witches... It's all very creepy, which is v. cool.
I would recommend this to anybody who enjoyed Harry Potter, but thinks they are growing out of him. There are some really clever twists, and it deals with emotions and tragedy a lot more than Harry Potter does. I don't know why Philip Pullman isn't getting the coverage that J. K. Rowling is. In my opinion he's a much much better writer. It amazes me how he can know exactly how a little girl actually feels - and the books are so imaginative, you'd think he comes from Lyra's world!
And one more thing - look out for some seriously wicked names - Lyra Belacqua (or Silvertongue as she has now been christened) is a lot more exciting than Harry Potter, or Cornelius Fudge.
Ok, I hope you read it, cos I can't begin to tell you how good it is - you really need to see it to believe it!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By anon-london
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I can say without any doubt, that Northern Lights, together with the other two books in the trilogy (The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass)are the best books I have ever read. (And I have read quite a lot!)
Each day, I couldn't wait to get on the tube and read the continuing adventure of Lyra et al.
It is enchanting from start to finish. And for my mind makes anything else you read afterwards seem highly inferior.
You are taken completely out of yourself. Yet you are also able to ponder the wider meanings of it all. And with so many twists and turns, Pullman as a writer is always several steps ahead of where you think things are going.
From the moment I finished the last page of the last book in the trilogy, (yesterday) I wanted to pick up Northern lights and read them all again. I cannot imagine anyone not liking these books. Even for those who have not read fantasy novels before. They are original, profound, gripping and simply breathtaking in places.
Frankly I envy anyone reading this trilogy for the first time!
Each day, I couldn't wait to get on the tube and read the continuing adventure of Lyra et al.
It is enchanting from start to finish. And for my mind makes anything else you read afterwards seem highly inferior.
You are taken completely out of yourself. Yet you are also able to ponder the wider meanings of it all. And with so many twists and turns, Pullman as a writer is always several steps ahead of where you think things are going.
From the moment I finished the last page of the last book in the trilogy, (yesterday) I wanted to pick up Northern lights and read them all again. I cannot imagine anyone not liking these books. Even for those who have not read fantasy novels before. They are original, profound, gripping and simply breathtaking in places.
Frankly I envy anyone reading this trilogy for the first time!
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deserves more than 5 stars
So this is the second book in the His Dark Materials Trilogy and it certainly didn't disappoint. The book is action packed from the start, and there's never a dull moment. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Rebecca
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good finish
A great end to the trilogy could not put the book down. A smashing read. I really enjoyed the book.
Published 2 months ago by Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Return of Lyra
This is the second in Philip Pullman's anti-religion opus His Dark Materials. It is even better than the first, and introduces a new character, Will Parry, whilst keeping... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. E. Bambridge-sutton
2.0 out of 5 stars
A real disappointment after Northern Lights
After finding the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy an interesting read, I was keen to follow the rest of the story, as I felt book one was somewhat incomplete. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. R. Johnson-Rollings
4.0 out of 5 stars
Part of the trilogy
I enjoyed this book although it does take some concentration to follow but once you get into it it's enjoyable. I did read them in order - you do need to
Published 3 months ago by A P Stockwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
This follows on from The Golden Compass, and is a very good read, if you enjoyed the first in the trilogy
Published 5 months ago by C. Metairie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay
The summary as written on line prepared one for this book. No great surprises. Enjoyable to read if this is your taste in literature
Published 6 months ago by pat neale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast delivery
This is a great book and the sequel to The Golden Compass (Northern Lights). I've read it before and decided I wanted to read it again but then remembered I'd given my old book... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant brilliant brilliant
A fantastic read that holds your attention right up to the last word. Love the characters and did not want it to end.
Published 12 months ago by Corr44
5.0 out of 5 stars
Subtle Knife
Great item and as decribed and quick delivery. My daughter was very pleased with it.Fair price. Thank you very much. Would use again.
Published 13 months ago by Caroline J
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