solvoid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did not hate it but there are certain moments that almost took me out of the story entirely for the worse.
I will probably read the sequel cause I need to know how it ends but we're still waiting on that.
But yeah it is a bit orientalist and writing a romantic subplot for malcom and lyra in this day and age is quite a choice. He held lyra as a baby ffs.
But luckily there wasn't that much of that so I was able to just ignore that was a thing happening on the side.
So I really hope it isn't actually pursued into an actual relationship, I mean lyra hasn't expressed those sort of feelings at all.
I loved the whole thing with the daemons and separation and exploring lyra and her conflicting feelings and pantalaimon. And the pursuit of truth and imagination. That's why I kept going.
But yeah this is quite dark and I expected so and really makes you think.
It's just a shame, malcolm was such a lovable character in the first volume and the author chose to turn him into a creep.
I will probably read the sequel cause I need to know how it ends but we're still waiting on that.
But yeah it is a bit orientalist and writing a romantic subplot for malcom and lyra in this day and age is quite a choice. He held lyra as a baby ffs.
But luckily there wasn't that much of that so I was able to just ignore that was a thing happening on the side.
So I really hope it isn't actually pursued into an actual relationship, I mean lyra hasn't expressed those sort of feelings at all.
I loved the whole thing with the daemons and separation and exploring lyra and her conflicting feelings and pantalaimon. And the pursuit of truth and imagination. That's why I kept going.
But yeah this is quite dark and I expected so and really makes you think.
It's just a shame, malcolm was such a lovable character in the first volume and the author chose to turn him into a creep.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
msmith892's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, Trafficking, and Medical trauma
elenaluisa's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
carcinokattastic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Another fantastic book by Phillip Pulman in a world I truly love. My only gripe is about half way through some the chapters focus on the politics of the world (which is normally very good world building) and it feels like it drags a bit sadly.
But all in all I’m excited for the next one :)
But all in all I’m excited for the next one :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
saturdayslaughter's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
2.75
Eh. Im not deeply slighted at this turn for Lyra, I just think the whole thing was pretty messy. It just made me wonder what Mr. Pullman was thinking a lot. But there was plenty of compelling things going on I guess.
The thesis it is that people need more wonder at the world and less cold detachment, and sure that works, it just felt weirdly aggressive sometimes. It was so interesting watching that thread. He also made some really weird tonal choices I think, like (vague minor spoilers) What compelled him to write this? It’s just so meandering, I feel like he loves this world and didn’t streamline the story enough in favor of exploring everything he can.
I want to know if the coming romance between is popular with fans, I think it adds basically nothing and is kind of uncomfortable.
I want to go read an essay dissecting this novel, there’s so much disconnected stuff going on. Was interested in the development of some of the plot and characters, for the most part I was just kind of along for the ride, feeling out how I felt about a story that largely hit me with mixed feelings— especially in the second half.
Also, the whole treatment of the the niqab Lyra briefly wears was just really uncomfortable. Plenty of imagery throughout had a lot of orientalism vibes, I think he probably fumbled plenty of other stuff that was less obvious to me. I’d also like to read dissections of that.
The thesis it is that people need more wonder at the world and less cold detachment, and sure that works, it just felt weirdly aggressive sometimes. It was so interesting watching that thread. He also made some really weird tonal choices I think, like (vague minor spoilers)
Spoiler
there’s a random horrific naval tragedy and later an unnecessary attempted rape.I want to know if the coming romance between
Spoiler
Malcom and LyraI want to go read an essay dissecting this novel, there’s so much disconnected stuff going on. Was interested in the development of some of the plot and characters, for the most part I was just kind of along for the ride, feeling out how I felt about a story that largely hit me with mixed feelings— especially in the second half.
Also, the whole treatment of the the niqab Lyra briefly wears was just really uncomfortable. Plenty of imagery throughout had a lot of orientalism vibes, I think he probably fumbled plenty of other stuff that was less obvious to me. I’d also like to read dissections of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
fictionalsarah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
zaidzu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
His Dark Materials is one of my absolute favorite book series. That being said, I was really disappointed in this book. Book of Dust 1 was enjoyable enough, different from HDM but still had enough of the mysterious adventurous feeling I’ve come to associate with these works. However, book 2 just plummets into so much unnecessary territory, while accomplishing very little plot-wise. I know this trilogy was originally one giant book, so in that context the second book would have maybe worked better if you could just continue reading right away, but it’s still too drawn out. I didn’t really get a sense of that “Lyra on an adventure” feeling I love until literally the very end of the book. Also, and that completely ruined any shred of hope I had for this book/series. Completely unnecessary and felt like a weak attempt to write something more “adult”. Not to mention the Icky. Curious to see how Will is going to be squeezed into the story (if at all at this point). Maybe the third book will be better, but this one really bummed me out.
Spoiler
there a scene where Lyra is rapedSpoiler
weird situation of Malcom having feelings for Lyra when he is 10 years older than her and she is still rather young.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
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: Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
alipp's review against another edition
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: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, and Sexual violence
kathrines_bogrum's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Alt for lang. Ikke rigtigt noget plot der giver mening. Mange tilfældige ting der ikke passe sammen. Forholdet mellem Lyra og Pan er irriterende og virker ikke ret troværdigt.
Jeg forventede en afsluttet historie - og det var måske min fejl at jeg ikke havde undersøgt at der kommer en bog mere. Men slutningen er meget utilfredsstillende. Jeg synes ikke jeg fik svar på ret meget.
Jeg forventede en afsluttet historie - og det var måske min fejl at jeg ikke havde undersøgt at der kommer en bog mere. Men slutningen er meget utilfredsstillende. Jeg synes ikke jeg fik svar på ret meget.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape