Reviews

The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman

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jamietherese's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

hannahfeakes's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5/5. Those last two chapters... why would you do this to me

evrythngblue's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 ⭐️
I’m not sure how this book has such a high average rating - it seemed just to be a filler book so this series could be called a trilogy. In the whole 320 pages not much happened, Lyra and Will just seemed to be running around aimlessly the whole time without a clear goal, and when they did have a goal they didn’t do anything to achieve it. There was a lot of info-dumping and build up to this final battle in which I’m not sure which side we as the reader are meant to be rooting for as both sides have been portrayed as being both good and bad?
But there were a few good things, I love Will as a character and the multiple worlds is really explored in this book, I also was a fan of the multiple POVs.

_a_r_u_'s review against another edition

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5.0

I can only say I liked it better than the first one. Like, I loved the first book, but this one (for me) is better.

laurenelise00's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

So tense and fast paced. I could not put it down. It’s unpredictable and had me crying, gasping to read on, and I’ve been recommending it to my friends so much

sherming's review against another edition

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4.0

Following on the Golden Compass, the universe is a little easier to comprehend, even if this book introduces us to a multitude of other worlds and concepts. Good vs. Evil becomes both clearer and a bit more complex. More supporting characters are developed. A good continuation.

mimosaeyes's review against another edition

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4.0

Continuing my re-read of this childhood favourite trilogy: wow. Pullman is just such a great storyteller. Unlike the first book, this one branches out into more perspectives, which works wonderfully to create that sense of so many disparate groups and individuals coming together or squaring off against each other, in a massive-scaled conflict.

I did feel like Lyra's character got subdued a bit when Will was introduced, but I believe she returns to her full glory in the final book, so I'll forgive it. Besides, she remains an adept liar (her defining trait; his is that he's a fighter, I believe?) and it's so thrilling to see her really display mastery with that alethiometer.

Besides, what's not to love? The excellent worldbuilding of the first book has morphed into excellent worlds-building here. Can't wait to start on the third book.

Can you believe I forgot that

Spoiler

Lee Scoresby (and by extension, Hester) dies

? My heart broke a little at that scene. Just when I thought she was finally getting a decent father figure...