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Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife

The Subtle Knife is the second book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. In this book Lyra crosses into another world, and meets Will a boy from yet another world - our own. One thing to note is that this book needs to be read as part of the trilogy. The first book (The Golden Compass) can just about be read on its own - although there are a few loose ends - but I would advise that to read the second book you need to have read the first and go on to read the third.

This book seemed to me to have a more sci-fi feel to it than the first, with Will and Lyra moving about between different worlds, and the possibility of interacting with the mysterious 'Dust' via scientific equipment. My feeling is that the books aren't really suited to the 12 year old readership which would be suggested by the age of Will and Lyra, but to a somewhat older readership. If you fit in to this category, but felt that the first book was too unsophisticated for you then you should still give the second a try, as you might find the sci-fi approach more to your taste.

Amazon.com info

Mass Market Paperback 304 pages
ISBN: 0440238145
Salesrank: 16116
Weight:0.35 lbs

Published: 2003 Laurel Leaf

Amazon price $7.50

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 352 pages
ISBN: 0590112899
Salesrank: 14639
Weight:0.53 lbs

Published: 1998 Scholastic Point

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Amazon.ca info

Mass Market Paperback 304 pages
ISBN: 0440238145
Salesrank: 16875
Weight:0.35 lbs

Published: 2003 Laurel Leaf

Amazon price CDN$ 9.99

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 0.64:Used from CDN$ 0.66

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Product Description
Lyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted underworld—Cittàgazze, where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. But she is not without allies: 12-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another’s, has also stumbled into this strange new realm. On a perilous journey from world to world, Lyra and Will discover an object of devastating power. And with every step, they move closer to an even greater threat—and the shattering truth of their own destiny.

Product Description

Lyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted underworld—Cittàgazze, where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. But she is not without allies: 12-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another’s, has also stumbled into this strange new realm.

On a perilous journey from world to world, Lyra and Will discover an object of devastating power. And with every step, they move closer to an even greater threat—and the shattering truth of their own destiny.

good book ****
this is a wonderfully read edition of the book. a full cast makes the story come to life. in between there are terrible musical interludes, though.

good book ****

this is a wonderfully read edition of the book. a full cast makes the story come to life. in between there are terrible musical interludes, though.

It's like a ride in a supercharged V8 *****
This book is one of the best middle books of any trilogy ever written. Northern Lights develops the characters, introduces the reader to the world(s) of this series and then just when the story gains significant momentum, the first part meets its end. The second book is like a ride in a roller coaster and it is action packed from the word go. 1- Characters: Pullman introduces new characters with the blink of an eye and his skill is such that it takes the reader just moments to "imagine" and accept the new characters. 2- The many worlds: The concept might sound cliché but the prospect of many different and accessible worlds has been executed and explained in a wonderfully enticing way. Full marks! 3- The plot: You will forget about the pop corn you were eating a minute ago or your ear that you were just about to scratch. This book is nothing but solid, quality momentum from the very start. With little explanation, Pullman pulls you into every scene, every new world and every character. This is one of the writer's best attributes as he does not spend page after page describing people or places. And yet the impact is not lost on the reader.

It's like a ride in a supercharged V8 *****

This book is one of the best middle books of any trilogy ever written. Northern Lights develops the characters, introduces the reader to the world(s) of this series and then just when the story gains significant momentum, the first part meets its end. The second book is like a ride in a roller coaster and it is action packed from the word go.

1- Characters: Pullman introduces new characters with the blink of an eye and his skill is such that it takes the reader just moments to "imagine" and accept the new characters.

2- The many worlds: The concept might sound cliché but the prospect of many different and accessible worlds has been executed and explained in a wonderfully enticing way. Full marks!

3- The plot: You will forget about the pop corn you were eating a minute ago or your ear that you were just about to scratch. This book is nothing but solid, quality momentum from the very start.

With little explanation, Pullman pulls you into every scene, every new world and every character. This is one of the writer's best attributes as he does not spend page after page describing people or places. And yet the impact is not lost on the reader.

huge fan of this series ****
Another great installment in this highly acclaimed trilogy. I'm very happy that I've exposed myself to these stories because they keep getting better. The Subtle Knife dives deeper into Lyra's story, exposing the reader to more characters, more worlds, and more details as to what this series is really about. I don't know much else to say about these books since I'm pretty sure most everyone on the planet has read them, but I really am enjoying this series and am looking forward to the third and final book!

huge fan of this series ****

Another great installment in this highly acclaimed trilogy. I'm very happy that I've exposed myself to these stories because they keep getting better. The Subtle Knife dives deeper into Lyra's story, exposing the reader to more characters, more worlds, and more details as to what this series is really about. I don't know much else to say about these books since I'm pretty sure most everyone on the planet has read them, but I really am enjoying this series and am looking forward to the third and final book!

Good, not outstanding (and the usual comparisons...) ***
Having read at this point the first two volumes, why this trilogy is seen as provocative I can certainly see. Books for children where evil comes from God and the Church are certainly not the most common ones out there. This, however, neither disturbs me (I am not religious) nor particularly excites my brain. Religious fundamentalism is just one kind of fundamentalism. Nazism, Fascism, Communism, even our "beloved" capitalism have produced countless horrors. I can see a bit less how this trilogy can be compared to JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings to the Harry Potter series. But after all, the numbers will loudly say that whatever Pullman's admirers think, LOTR and Harry Potter are in a category apart. The former is much much better written and more mature, the latter less ambitious but certainly and immensely more entertaining. Pullman is a good but not outstanding story-teller. Most things happen too quickly, and I found many characters to be so undeveloped that I really did not care about what happened to them. Perhaps what I find most missing in these books is the author's sympathy for his characters. Overall, I am happy I read the first two books, and I will most likely read the third, but I also think I will forget this trilogy relatively quickly afterwards, and I don't think I will reach for these books again in the foreseeable future.

Good, not outstanding (and the usual comparisons...) ***

Having read at this point the first two volumes, why this trilogy is seen as provocative I can certainly see. Books for children where evil comes from God and the Church are certainly not the most common ones out there. This, however, neither disturbs me (I am not religious) nor particularly excites my brain. Religious fundamentalism is just one kind of fundamentalism. Nazism, Fascism, Communism, even our "beloved" capitalism have produced countless horrors.

I can see a bit less how this trilogy can be compared to JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings to the Harry Potter series. But after all, the numbers will loudly say that whatever Pullman's admirers think, LOTR and Harry Potter are in a category apart. The former is much much better written and more mature, the latter less ambitious but certainly and immensely more entertaining. Pullman is a good but not outstanding story-teller. Most things happen too quickly, and I found many characters to be so undeveloped that I really did not care about what happened to them. Perhaps what I find most missing in these books is the author's sympathy for his characters.

Overall, I am happy I read the first two books, and I will most likely read the third, but I also think I will forget this trilogy relatively quickly afterwards, and I don't think I will reach for these books again in the foreseeable future.

excellent ****
I greatly enjoyed this book. The plot is exciting and engaging, the characters interesting and fun to get to know, and it is very well written. I also enjoyed the performance by Pullman and the cast. That made it a great listening experience.

excellent ****

I greatly enjoyed this book. The plot is exciting and engaging, the characters interesting and fun to get to know, and it is very well written. I also enjoyed the performance by Pullman and the cast. That made it a great listening experience.

The Subtle Knife *****
This is a brilliant book about a boy called Will who has to try and find his father, and a girl called Lyra. They both come from different worlds. Will has just murdered a man and he's on the run. He finds a window which leads to a different world where for the first time he meets Lyra. Lyra has also come from another world but not from Will's world. She has come from a world where people have deamons. Lyra and Will have to work together to find Roger, Lyra's friend, and Will's father who has mysteriously disappeared.

The Subtle Knife *****

This is a brilliant book about a boy called Will who has to try and find his father, and a girl called Lyra. They both come from different worlds. Will has just murdered a man and he's on the run. He finds a window which leads to a different world where for the first time he meets Lyra. Lyra has also come from another world but not from Will's world. She has come from a world where people have deamons. Lyra and Will have to work together to find Roger, Lyra's friend, and Will's father who has mysteriously disappeared.

Best of the series *****
This is the second book in the `His Dark Materials' trilogy and is the best. Here is a synopsis of the story: Will Parry is a 12 year old boy who is on the run for murder; his mother is not very well (mentally) and his father has been lost for a decade or so. On his quest to find his father, he meets Lyra (the main character or The Northern Lights - also part of the trilogy). Lyra is the owner of a truth teller, which is also known as the alethiometer. Along the way, Lyra has the alethiometer stolen and is sent on a quest to steal a weapon called the Subtle Knife from Cittàgazze if she wants it back. Lyra and Will use the Subtle Knife to steal back the alethiometer, however upon returning to Cittàgazze, a world between Lyra's world and Will's world (Will's world is the same as our planet Earth), they find the local children - there are only children in this city as the Spectres took the adults souls (children cannot see the ghost type creatures) are out to kill them for taking the knife. The witches from Lyra's world eventually rescue them and they journey on together. Lee Scoreby is also from the first book; he is trying to discover where Lyra has got to and on his way he meets Stanislaus Grumman. Scoresby believes Grumman may help him uncover Asriel's plans and help Lyra. When Scoresby finally finds him, Grumman asks the aeronaut, Mr Scoreby, to take him through the aurora into the other world so Grumman can guide the two to the bearer of the Subtle Knife. Will, still bleeding from his wound after a fight for the knife, meets Stanislaus Grumman, who heals his fingers and instructs him to take the Subtle Knife to Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, to use as a weapon against The Authority (the Church). This book is currently my all time favourite book. It is exciting, adventurous and something that is so brilliant from cover to cover that you can't put it down. That is what happened to me but unfortunately, tiredness took over me once or twice and I did put it down but I would read it for around 3 or 4 hours a night for about 3/ 4 days.

Best of the series *****

This is the second book in the `His Dark Materials' trilogy and is the best.

Here is a synopsis of the story:
Will Parry is a 12 year old boy who is on the run for murder; his mother is not very well (mentally) and his father has been lost for a decade or so. On his quest to find his father, he meets Lyra (the main character or The Northern Lights - also part of the trilogy). Lyra is the owner of a truth teller, which is also known as the alethiometer. Along the way, Lyra has the alethiometer stolen and is sent on a quest to steal a weapon called the Subtle Knife from Cittàgazze if she wants it back.

Lyra and Will use the Subtle Knife to steal back the alethiometer, however upon returning to Cittàgazze, a world between Lyra's world and Will's world (Will's world is the same as our planet Earth), they find the local children - there are only children in this city as the Spectres took the adults souls (children cannot see the ghost type creatures) are out to kill them for taking the knife. The witches from Lyra's world eventually rescue them and they journey on together.

Lee Scoreby is also from the first book; he is trying to discover where Lyra has got to and on his way he meets Stanislaus Grumman. Scoresby believes Grumman may help him uncover Asriel's plans and help Lyra. When Scoresby finally finds him, Grumman asks the aeronaut, Mr Scoreby, to take him through the aurora into the other world so Grumman can guide the two to the bearer of the Subtle Knife.

Will, still bleeding from his wound after a fight for the knife, meets Stanislaus Grumman, who heals his fingers and instructs him to take the Subtle Knife to Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, to use as a weapon against The Authority (the Church).

This book is currently my all time favourite book. It is exciting, adventurous and something that is so brilliant from cover to cover that you can't put it down. That is what happened to me but unfortunately, tiredness took over me once or twice and I did put it down but I would read it for around 3 or 4 hours a night for about 3/ 4 days.

What the? *
As I toyed with what I should rate this, I hovered over the 1 and the 2 button. Why am I being so harsh. Let me tell you a story. I've been looking for interesting books to read and have found many of them over the past year. At the beginning of my hunt, someone mentioned Pullman. Eventually I finished all of my other books and got curious about his books. Northern Lights wasn't there. This one was. So I start reading and I can't help thinking there's nothing interesting in this book. The characters, the plot, all seem contrived and even off-putting. I figure it's just me being pesky. So I continue reading. And if possible, it gets even worse. Eventually I just stopped reading (about 100 or so pages in) as I couldn't stand it any longer. This is the first book I've done that with in a good while (the last one being written by Tess Gerritsen). To round up, I found nothing redeeming or interesting about this book. Hence why my mouse clicked on the 1 rather than the 2.

What the? *

As I toyed with what I should rate this, I hovered over the 1 and the 2 button. Why am I being so harsh. Let me tell you a story.

I've been looking for interesting books to read and have found many of them over the past year. At the beginning of my hunt, someone mentioned Pullman. Eventually I finished all of my other books and got curious about his books. Northern Lights wasn't there. This one was.

So I start reading and I can't help thinking there's nothing interesting in this book. The characters, the plot, all seem contrived and even off-putting. I figure it's just me being pesky. So I continue reading. And if possible, it gets even worse. Eventually I just stopped reading (about 100 or so pages in) as I couldn't stand it any longer. This is the first book I've done that with in a good while (the last one being written by Tess Gerritsen).

To round up, I found nothing redeeming or interesting about this book. Hence why my mouse clicked on the 1 rather than the 2.

Leaving Lyra behind ***
I don't know really where to begin, as I know that I am about to write a negative review about a book that is loved by so many. I have found both the Subtle Knife and its predecessor, Northern Lights, to be terribly hard going at times. Northern Lights took three chapters to get me even vaguely hooked, while the Subtle Knife almost lost me half way through. It is hard to put my finger on what I don't like. The characters for one, are difficult to identify with. Lyra is wonderful in the first book, you care what happens to her. In the Subtle Knife she is a little girl, not a heroine, and it is Will who you find yourself rooting for. Other than that, the periphery characters are uninspiring or too confusing to be memorable, Mrs Coulter for example is now able to control 'Spectres', and the whole Grumman as a Shaman episode - these things are not explained properly - a 13-16 year old may not want further explanation but an adult certainly does. Some of the writing is excellent, the battle scene involving Lee Scoresby did make me gasp aloud, but to hear Pullman repeatedly compared to Tolkein is laughable. Pullman's world does not lack a vivid imagination (Oxford's alter ego in the first book is a particular triumph) but he is clearly writing for a younger audience, so of course lacks Tolkein's depth. It is easier to compare him to CS Lewis, as they were writing for a similar age group. That is where the comparison ends, the Chronicles of Narnia eclipse His Dark Materials on every level, the characters, the worlds, the battles, the heroism. I will read the final book, but only out of duty, as I left Lyra behind at the end of Northern Lights, and I don't think I am going to care what happens to Will for much longer.

Leaving Lyra behind ***

I don't know really where to begin, as I know that I am about to write a negative review about a book that is loved by so many. I have found both the Subtle Knife and its predecessor, Northern Lights, to be terribly hard going at times. Northern Lights took three chapters to get me even vaguely hooked, while the Subtle Knife almost lost me half way through.

It is hard to put my finger on what I don't like. The characters for one, are difficult to identify with. Lyra is wonderful in the first book, you care what happens to her. In the Subtle Knife she is a little girl, not a heroine, and it is Will who you find yourself rooting for. Other than that, the periphery characters are uninspiring or too confusing to be memorable, Mrs Coulter for example is now able to control 'Spectres', and the whole Grumman as a Shaman episode - these things are not explained properly - a 13-16 year old may not want further explanation but an adult certainly does.

Some of the writing is excellent, the battle scene involving Lee Scoresby did make me gasp aloud, but to hear Pullman repeatedly compared to Tolkein is laughable. Pullman's world does not lack a vivid imagination (Oxford's alter ego in the first book is a particular triumph) but he is clearly writing for a younger audience, so of course lacks Tolkein's depth. It is easier to compare him to CS Lewis, as they were writing for a similar age group. That is where the comparison ends, the Chronicles of Narnia eclipse His Dark Materials on every level, the characters, the worlds, the battles, the heroism.

I will read the final book, but only out of duty, as I left Lyra behind at the end of Northern Lights, and I don't think I am going to care what happens to Will for much longer.

Lyra left behind ***
I don't know really where to begin, as I know that I am about to write a negative review about a book that is loved by so many. I have found both the Subtle Knife and its predecessor, Northern Lights, to be terribly hard going at times. Northern Lights took three chapters to get me even vaguely hooked, while the Subtle Knife almost lost me half way through. It is hard to put my finger on what I don't like. The characters for one, are difficult to identify with. Lyra is wonderful in the first book, you care what happens to her. In the Subtle Knife she is a little girl, not a heroine, and it is Will who you find yourself rooting for. Other than that, the periphery characters are uninspiring or too confusing to be memorable, Mrs Coulter for example is now able to control 'Spectres', and the whole Grumman as a Shaman episode - these things are not explained properly - a 13-16 year old may not want further explanation but an adult certainly does. Some of the writing is excellent, the battle scene involving Lee Scoresby did make me gasp aloud, but to hear Pullman repeatedly compared to Tolkein is laughable. Pullman's world does not lack a vivid imagination (Oxford's alter ego in the first book is a particular triumph) but he is clearly writing for a younger audience, so of course lacks Tolkein's depth. It is easier to compare him to CS Lewis, as they were writing for a similar age group. That is where the comparison ends, the Chronicles of Narnia eclipse His Dark Materials on every level, the characters, the worlds, the battles, the heroism. I will read the final book, but only out of duty, as I left Lyra behind at the end of Northern Lights, and I don't think I am going to care what happens to Will for much longer.

Lyra left behind ***

At times it felt like the TV show, Lost *****
I read "The Subtle Knife" soon after having seen the movie "The Golden Compass" and I couldn't have realized that the story in "The Golden Compass" was just the tip of the iceberg. "The Subtle Knife" is supposed to be teen fiction, but I found it to be one of the heaviest books I've ever read. And thus, I'll be waiting a bit to read "The Amber Spyglass", but I will be reading it. "The Subtle Knife" and Philip Pullman have made that mandatory.

At times it felt like the TV show, Lost *****

I read "The Subtle Knife" soon after having seen the movie "The Golden Compass" and I couldn't have realized that the story in "The Golden Compass" was just the tip of the iceberg. "The Subtle Knife" is supposed to be teen fiction, but I found it to be one of the heaviest books I've ever read. And thus, I'll be waiting a bit to read "The Amber Spyglass", but I will be reading it. "The Subtle Knife" and Philip Pullman have made that mandatory.

Much more focused and exciting than the first ****
If you're thinking to read this series, His Dark Materials, or were a bit put off by the first book, don't hesitate in starting the second, The Subtle Knife. This one is significantly more focused and interesting than The Golden Compass. I am thoroughly looking forward to finishing the series off now with The Amber Spyglass.

Much more focused and exciting than the first ****

If you're thinking to read this series, His Dark Materials, or were a bit put off by the first book, don't hesitate in starting the second, The Subtle Knife. This one is significantly more focused and interesting than The Golden Compass.

I am thoroughly looking forward to finishing the series off now with The Amber Spyglass.

Lyra, new adventures, another mission and more friends... ****
"The subtle knife" is the second book in Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" triology. The first book in the series is "The golden compass". If you haven't read it, don't continue reading this review because it has some spoilers. In case you have read "The golden compass", and are understandably eager to know how the story continues, I will give you some hints. Do you remember the way in which "The golden compass" ended? Lyra and her daemon, Pan, enter an alternate world, passing through a bridge between worlds created by Lord Asriel. New adventures and an entirely new mission await them, as well as another friend, Will. Will Parry is a young boy from our world who is searching for his lost father, and running from the police after commiting a murder. Strangely enough, the fact that Will is a murderer makes Lyra trust him: after all, her dear friend Iorek is a murderer too. Will and Lyra meet each other for the first time in a strange world where there are no adults, due to invisible Specters that kill them. That is the place where Will is going to find the Subtle Knife, a knife that can cut windows to other worlds, and that is capable of killing anything. Of course, that new tool will be highly useful to the children in their quest, related to the hideous crime Lord Asriel committed in order to create a bridge between worlds. Lyra and Will are not going to be alone, though: old and new friends will rush to help them. Unfortunately, they will also have to face old foes, and try to find out what some ambivalent people want from them. On the whole, I think that "The subtle knife" is an entertaining book that will please those that have already read the first book in the series. Notwhitstanding that, I don't believe it is quite up to the very high standards previously set by "The golden compass". All the same, I recommend it as good reading material that you are likely to enjoy. Belen Alcat

Lyra, new adventures, another mission and more friends... ****

"The subtle knife" is the second book in Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" triology. The first book in the series is "The golden compass". If you haven't read it, don't continue reading this review because it has some spoilers. In case you have read "The golden compass", and are understandably eager to know how the story continues, I will give you some hints.

Do you remember the way in which "The golden compass" ended? Lyra and her daemon, Pan, enter an alternate world, passing through a bridge between worlds created by Lord Asriel. New adventures and an entirely new mission await them, as well as another friend, Will. Will Parry is a young boy from our world who is searching for his lost father, and running from the police after commiting a murder. Strangely enough, the fact that Will is a murderer makes Lyra trust him: after all, her dear friend Iorek is a murderer too.

Will and Lyra meet each other for the first time in a strange world where there are no adults, due to invisible Specters that kill them. That is the place where Will is going to find the Subtle Knife, a knife that can cut windows to other worlds, and that is capable of killing anything. Of course, that new tool will be highly useful to the children in their quest, related to the hideous crime Lord Asriel committed in order to create a bridge between worlds. Lyra and Will are not going to be alone, though: old and new friends will rush to help them. Unfortunately, they will also have to face old foes, and try to find out what some ambivalent people want from them.

On the whole, I think that "The subtle knife" is an entertaining book that will please those that have already read the first book in the series. Notwhitstanding that, I don't believe it is quite up to the very high standards previously set by "The golden compass". All the same, I recommend it as good reading material that you are likely to enjoy.

Belen Alcat

Even more riveting! *****
Once again Philip Pullman pulls off a spectacular work of fiction. The second book in His Dark Materials series is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first book. I definately think the series should be read in order so that full understanding of the plot can be accomplished. Pullman succeeds in his creation of new and unique ideas for the second book.

Even more riveting! *****

Once again Philip Pullman pulls off a spectacular work of fiction. The second book in His Dark Materials series is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first book. I definately think the series should be read in order so that full understanding of the plot can be accomplished. Pullman succeeds in his creation of new and unique ideas for the second book.

More gripping. ****
This is the second book of His Dark Materials (after Northern Lights, or The Golden Compass in the US, and before The Amber Spyglass). Will Parry is a twelve-year-old boy living in Oxford with his mother, who's suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and his cat Moxie. His father, an arctic explorer, has gone missing almost since the boy was born. Will's mother has been facing more and more crises of late, and strangers have been harrassing her repeatedly, asking questions about her husband, about the letters he sent her twelve years ago. Will decides to send her to his old piano teacher's house to keep her safe, but when these men come back and search their home, Will accidently kills one of them. Not wanting to call the police because they would put his mother into hospital, he takes his father's letters from their hiding place in the sewing machine, and flees. But walking on the side of the road, he sees a cat much like Moxie suddenly disappear. Examining the patch of grass more closely, he discovers a window, resolves to cross it, and finds himself in Cittàgazze, a sun-drenched, palm-treed city on the sea shore, in another world. The city looks as if everyone just left in a hurry though, and when Will is looking for food in the recently abandoned cafés, he stumbles onto a lost young girl, Lyra. Although shocked to see a human without a daemon, and after asking her alethiometer for advice, she knows she can trust Will, and they finally decide to help each other. The rest of the book describes how they travel back and forth between worlds, Will searching for his father, Lyra gathering information about Dust, both making new allies as well as meeting new enemies, facing new, more deadly dangers. I liked The Subtle Knife more than Northern Lights (US title: The Golden Compass), was more gripped by it as a whole. I particularly enjoyed the connections between Lyra's and Will's (our) Oxford, when Lyra discovers what is similar, and what is not, to the place where she grew up. There's still a rather mystic edge to the story which I don't quite get, but I guess everything will clear up in the last chapter.

More gripping. ****

This is the second book of His Dark Materials (after Northern Lights, or The Golden Compass in the US, and before The Amber Spyglass).

Will Parry is a twelve-year-old boy living in Oxford with his mother, who's suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and his cat Moxie. His father, an arctic explorer, has gone missing almost since the boy was born.

Will's mother has been facing more and more crises of late, and strangers have been harrassing her repeatedly, asking questions about her husband, about the letters he sent her twelve years ago. Will decides to send her to his old piano teacher's house to keep her safe, but when these men come back and search their home, Will accidently kills one of them. Not wanting to call the police because they would put his mother into hospital, he takes his father's letters from their hiding place in the sewing machine, and flees.

But walking on the side of the road, he sees a cat much like Moxie suddenly disappear. Examining the patch of grass more closely, he discovers a window, resolves to cross it, and finds himself in Cittàgazze, a sun-drenched, palm-treed city on the sea shore, in another world.

The city looks as if everyone just left in a hurry though, and when Will is looking for food in the recently abandoned cafés, he stumbles onto a lost young girl, Lyra. Although shocked to see a human without a daemon, and after asking her alethiometer for advice, she knows she can trust Will, and they finally decide to help each other.

The rest of the book describes how they travel back and forth between worlds, Will searching for his father, Lyra gathering information about Dust, both making new allies as well as meeting new enemies, facing new, more deadly dangers.

I liked The Subtle Knife more than Northern Lights (US title: The Golden Compass), was more gripped by it as a whole. I particularly enjoyed the connections between Lyra's and Will's (our) Oxford, when Lyra discovers what is similar, and what is not, to the place where she grew up. There's still a rather mystic edge to the story which I don't quite get, but I guess everything will clear up in the last chapter.