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caseybones's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Many reviews articulate frustration with this book and I share those sentiments. It feels like Pullman lost the subtlety of his previous storytelling, glossing over major character development and leaving the reader perplexed.
How has Malcolm Polestead essentially become this universe’s version of a Bond-like spy, dodging knife attacks, walking away from being shot and casually snapping a man’s neck with his
bare hands before heading to the bar for a casual drink?
What happened to Lyra in the eight years since the Amber Spyglass that turned her from a passionate, brave adolescent into a timid, narrow-minded young woman? She read two books and suddenlyshe and Pan hate each other so much they can barely speak to each other ?
Make it make sense.
How has Malcolm Polestead essentially become this universe’s version of a Bond-like spy, dodging knife attacks, walking away
bare hands
What happened to Lyra in the eight years since the Amber Spyglass that turned her from a passionate, brave adolescent into a timid, narrow-minded young woman? She read two books and suddenly
Make it make sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
francisfrancis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, and Murder
sunandmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
WHY PHILIP WHY do you absolutely want your 30 something man to fall in love with 21yo LYRA, why did you think it was necessary for her to be assaulted and then go about her quest almost like nothing had happened? Do you hate her and us that much?
What a disappointment after the beautiful book that was La Belle Sauvage.
What a disappointment after the beautiful book that was La Belle Sauvage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
annir's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Classism
sunny_afternoon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
alixlowe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, and Toxic friendship
asourceoffiction's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Pullman's writing and this book was no exception. Despite its length it was not difficult to read and I really enjoyed where the story is going. But I don't think it engaged me in the same way as La Belle Sauvage.
The Secret Commonwealth covers so much ground (geographically and politically, as well as in terms of self discovery). But it has the tendency to feel a little peril-adjacent. For a good chunk of the book the real threat rarely hits the protagonists themselves, and where there is drama it can resolve surprisingly quickly. This very much seems to suffer from being mid-trilogy and it sometimes edges into scene-setting over plot; albeit incredibly interesting and beautifully written scene-setting.
That said, for the last 100 pages or so I was absolutely riveted, there was tension, drama and a hell of a lot of emotion. Some revelations about people with no dæmons intrigued me and I can't wait to read the last installment. But I do feel like I'm not significantly wiser about what's going on than I was at the start, so the third book has an awful lot of gaps to fill.
The Secret Commonwealth covers so much ground (geographically and politically, as well as in terms of self discovery). But it has the tendency to feel a little peril-adjacent. For a good chunk of the book the real threat rarely hits the protagonists themselves, and where there is drama it can resolve surprisingly quickly. This very much seems to suffer from being mid-trilogy and it sometimes edges into scene-setting over plot; albeit incredibly interesting and beautifully written scene-setting.
That said, for the last 100 pages or so I was absolutely riveted, there was tension, drama and a hell of a lot of emotion. Some revelations about people with no dæmons intrigued me and I can't wait to read the last installment. But I do feel like I'm not significantly wiser about what's going on than I was at the start, so the third book has an awful lot of gaps to fill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry
amerikinz14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The main conflict between Lyra and Pan is alright but there were moments where their arguments seemed too harsh. Yes, coming from the end of “The Amber Spyglass”, their relationship is strained. In the original HDM trilogy, I enjoyed Lyra and Pan’s camaraderie and their interactions were one of my favorite aspects. While in “The Secret Commonwealth”, they spend a good portion of the book either arguing with or being separated from each other. It fits the story but it isn’t how I envisioned the characters grown up.
The characters from “La Belle Sauvage” get re-introduced (since TSC takes place when Lyra is 20 years old; years after HDM ends) and I REALLY enjoyed that aspect! Pullman blended the familiar and new characters well.
The plot itself is somewhat confusing. Since the audiobook is 20 hours long, I found myself tuning in and out (and I sped up the narration) which led to some details being lost. I got the gist of it as the book progressed but I think the author tried to cram a lot into the book (which is basically 640 pages), spending time on flushing out less important details. And knowing there will eventually be a third book is very interesting!
Still docking points for the “Unabridged” audiobook version having some vulgar language and a few triggers.
Overall, I like “The Book of Dust”. I prefer the stories of “His Dark Materials” but “The Book of Dust” fits well as a continuation!
The characters from “La Belle Sauvage” get re-introduced (since TSC takes place when Lyra is 20 years old; years after HDM ends) and I REALLY enjoyed that aspect! Pullman blended the familiar and new characters well.
The plot itself is somewhat confusing. Since the audiobook is 20 hours long, I found myself tuning in and out (and I sped up the narration) which led to some details being lost. I got the gist of it as the book progressed but I think the author tried to cram a lot into the book (which is basically 640 pages), spending time on flushing out less important details. And knowing there will eventually be a third book is very interesting!
Still docking points for the “Unabridged” audiobook version having some vulgar language and a few triggers.
Overall, I like “The Book of Dust”. I prefer the stories of “His Dark Materials” but “The Book of Dust” fits well as a continuation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and War
eilidhbear's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
alipp's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence