I love plots that put a spin on traditional religion ( Waiting for the Galactic Bus, for example), but it seems like Pullman came up with a story involving a culture's religion and then decided to make it fit with the Judeo-Christian framework no matter how hard he had to push. I'm an agnostic, so these complaints don't come from someone insulted by the material, they come from someone unhappy by their handling.

Herein lies my main concern with the series as a whole: it's not (excuse the pun) subtle. Some of the main characters have decided to wage war on 'The Authority.' I had heard before I started the series that they were 'about killing God.' This seemed highly unlikely, and was probably a knee-jerk reaction from people who heard it from other people who read a synopsis of the book, etc. Some of these elements are expanded upon in The Amber Spyglass, which I'm currently reading, so forgive me if they don't all apply. It seems like Philip Pullman wanted to reel us in with fantasy before he could preach at us. The Subtle Knife, however decides that most of this is insignificant and takes place almost entirely in different universes.

In The Golden Compass, we were treated to a rich alternate universe that had elements that were similar to our own, like some of the geopolitical structure, and elements that were entirely fantastical, like armored polar bears and witches. Instead of the good stuff, in The Subtle Knife I feel as though we've had a bait and switch pulled on us. Instead, the focus can be on 'the good stuff': elaborating on the story, teasing us more, giving action, chopping off Luke's hand and so on. The author doesn't have to introduce the universe or the characters, as they did in the first installment, but they don't need to worry about wrapping up all the plot points either. The second entry in a trilogy is often, in my opinion, the best. In this stunning sequel to The Golden Compas, Philip Pullman continues His Dark Materials trilogy and confirms it as an undoubted and enduring classic.īulletin of the Center for Children's Books But with every step and each new horror, they move closer to the greatest threat of all-and the shattering truth of their own destiny. On this journey marked by danger, Will and Lyra forge ahead. He's on a quest as fierce as Lyra's, and together they strike out into this sunlit otherworld. Instead, she finds Will, just twelve years old and already a murderer himself. Desperate for answers and set on revenge, Lyra bursts into a new world in pursuit of his killer. The universe has broken wide, and Lyra's friend lies dead.

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman