Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - The Secret Commonwealth

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The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

15 reviews

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 suddenly

she and Pan hate each other so much they can barely speak to each other

?

Make it make sense.

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francisfrancis's review

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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

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annir's review against another edition

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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

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elenaluisa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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sarahbliss's review

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.25

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eilidhbear's review against another edition

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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

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balfies's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

The HBO His Dark Materials finale had got me down so bad that I purchased and read this 700 page tome in a day. I read the first of the Book of Dust trilogy a few years ago and wasn't taken by it, but this was a more compelling read.

Feels more akin to Pullman's Sally Lockhart series than the rest of His Dark Materials - it is a balancing act between a magical spy thriller and a philosophical argument for the necessity of imagination and folklore. Also they let Lyra drop the f bomb.

Altogether enjoyed it a lot more, and how it expands on the ineffable relationship we have to our souls. Also every ten pages Lyra thinks about Will and misses him and wants to be more like him and that was DEVASTATING.

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