His Dark Materials: The Subtle Knife (Book 2): His Dark Materials, Book 2

The second book of a fantasy trilogy can be by far the slowest. Surprises about the new world have largely been told. We've met most of the characters, and they've left their world of comfort behind for a more dangerous quest. The third book is the final, ultimate confrontation. But the second is often a kind of travelogue with a few obstacles thrown in to hold our interest while the characters get from here to there.Not so with The Subtle Knife. While The Golden Compass introduced us to a fascinating alternate world with many imaginative characters, Mr. Pullman's bag of tricks is by no means exhausted. In this second book, we learn there are an infinite number of parallel worlds, including our own. He introduces us to many more creative characters, like the spectral beings that eat people's souls and the various levels of good and bad angels. And all of these are connected by a common thread, though known by different names in each world--the mysterious dust, dark matter etc., the source of what makes us who we are.In addition to the flawed but charming Lyra, we get a second protagonist, Will, a troubled boy from our own world. Together they go on a more complex quest, during which their relationship is deepened by their shared trials and personal tragedies.This book is richer in plot than the first, more multi-layered and probably better written.(I'm still not a fan of his omniscient, head hopping style, but he has some beautiful turns of a phrase).All and all, it's a better book than the first, which tended to be more of a children's fantasy (Gyptians and armored bears and witches, oh my!). It is, however, much darker, moving further from what anyone would call a children's book. Yes, it can be read on multiple levels, but The Wizard of OZ, it ain't.It's difficult to review this trilogy without commenting on the often discussed controversy about Mr. Pullman's anti-religious views. I was led to expect the opposite of C.S. Lewis' Space trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Peralandra, That Hideous Strength), which devolved from a darn good space travel story to an outright religious diatribe. I keep looking for that aspect to rear its ugly head. Though I take no position on his point of view, I'm deeply offended by a writer who is so self-righteous that he spoils a good story by sticking a soap box smack in the middle, climbing upon it and preaching. I have to say there was no sign of this in The Subtle Knife.The Subtle Knife is an ambitious, imaginative and refreshingly original story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

In the second volume of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, "The Subtle Knife", we are introduced to Will Parry, a young boy from our own world. Will is only 12, but he is wise beyond his years, having lost his explorer father when he was a baby, and caring for his mentally ill mother for several years already. When we meet him, Will is on the run from sinister men who have harassed his family and even broken into his house in search of letters his mysterious father wrote during his last expedition.Seeking a place to hide, Will discovers an open window to another universe, and steps through. There, in a city abandoned by adults and populated by children and Specters, he meets Lyra. The two of them recognize each other as kindred souls, even as they realize that the men chasing Will are tied to Mrs. Coulter and the people pursuing Lyra. News comes that Lord Asriel has torn asunder the barriers between worlds, and that both Lyra and Will have crucial roles to play in the coming conflict with The Church and The Authority."The Subtle Knife" is clearly a bridge book between the first and third volumes of the trilogy. There is plenty of action and much is revealed about the inner workings of the plot that propels the story. Not quite as thrillingly original as the book it follows, "The Subtle Knife" also seems to be written to favor Will a bit more than Lyra, who was headstrong but smart in "The Golden Compass" but now somewhat more stubborn and foolhardy in this volume. It remains, however, a compelling read.

I have been collecting and treasuring children's books since the moment I realized I wasn't a child anymore, so I've been around the block with authors that target a young adult audience. I stumbled across The Golden Compass when a friend of a friend pushed it at me one day saying "You really and truly will not be able to put it down." She was right.Pullman will probably appeal to a young audience because of the spirit of adventure and richness of characters, but I believe that adults will get the most out of these books. The theory behind his ideas are amazing, and his villains are terrifying in their similarities to real-life human traits. Mrs. Coulter is probably one of the most interesting characters ever created and could have fit in well in Roald Dahl's The Witches. Her cunning, changeability, charm, and ability to turn on her own daughter make her kind of evil one we don't usually see.The introduction of Will and "our" Oxford make this book probably the most interesting, albeit shortest, in the trilogy. The interplay between Will and Lyra is fascinating and allows us to see our heroine from another perspective. Their personalities complement each other so well, you'll be so engrossed by their cooperative endeavors that you'll forget they're not real people in your life.After having read so many books for youngsters, both classic and contemporary, it's easy to sort the lasting from the flashes in the pan. The His Dark Materials trilogy reads like Dahl, Barrie, and C.S. Lewis (although it certainly doesn't emphasize fun and subtle humor the way the former two tended to do) in that it is never cheesy, never condescending, and chock full of beautiful, well thought-out details. It's not Harry Potter and it doesn't have to be. Both are completely enjoyable in different ways.One important note on the edition you buy: You will have a better reading experience with the Knopf edition (preferably hardback). This is especially true with The Amber Spyglass, the third book in the trilogy.

Great book by Phil Pullman. Would appreciate if books didn't arrive damaged all the time tho. At least the refund went easily.

Finally a sequel that measures up to the first book in its series!I flew through this one. I only started reading the books because I was disappointed in the first season of the His Dark Materials adaptation on HBO. The concept of the series overall is so intriguing and I wanted to give it another chance by reading the source material. After enjoying the first book, the second book only further cemented my interest in where the series is going as a whole. Fascinating stuff; it's hard to believe its a children's series, since it definitely holds a lot of interesting content that an adult could enjoy. I don't even mind that I missed out on reading this as a kid.I can't wait to see what will happen next!

Uma historia de fantasia envolvente e com temas até pesados que dificilmente uma criança iria pegar mas certamente teria um visão diferente após uma releitura. Mas não deixa de ser uma fantasia boba e agradável.

Amazing book....Powerful follower of the previous book....A well written Extraordinary Journey.....Totaly in love with this Trilogy

Fantasy da legger d’un fiato