|
|
The Subtle KnifeThe 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: 135529
Weight:0.35 lbs | | Published: 2003 Laurel Leaf | | Amazon price $7.50 | | Marketplace:New from $1.04:Used from $0.01 |
|---|
| Buy from Amazon.com |
|---|
|
|
| Amazon.ca info
|
|---|
Mass Market Paperback
304 pages
ISBN: 0440238145
Salesrank: 92995
Weight:0.35 lbs | | Published: 2003 Laurel Leaf | | Amazon price CDN$ 9.99 | | Marketplace:New from CDN$ 0.06:Used from CDN$ 0.01 |
|---|
| Buy from Amazon.ca |
|---|
|
| 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. |
| the title **** |
|---|
| I thought The Subtle Knife was a good read. I liked how the story began when Will was being chased by the police it drew me in on the first chapter. The book was filled with lots of action. I don't normally like reading but this book I thought was good. When I read it I felt like I was in the book, there with Will and Lyra. My favorite part in the book is when Will and Lyra use the subtle knife to get back Lyra's alethiometer from Sir Charles, because I thought it was smart to use the knife to get back the alethiometer than trade the knife for it. I also enjoyed the part when will find out that his father is Grumman because Will was searching for his father this whole time. My favorite character is Grumman because he help out Will and Lyra throughout the book and u find out he's Will's father. Sadly Grumman dies by a witch that loves him.another charater I liked was Scoresby because he was very brave he fended off a bunch of soldiers but died during the battle. Mrs. Coulter was one of the antagonists. She tricked Sir Charles into revealing the secrets of the knife and then murdered him. Sir Charles was also an antagonist he stole Lyra's alethiometer. The Subtle Knife was a good book. It had lots of action and suspense; it kept me wanting to read more. I would recommend this book to any fantasy lovers. |
| Okay but not a patch on the first book *** |
|---|
| I found the second installment of His Dark Materials a reasonably enjoyable read but it doesn't compare to the majesty, mystery and beauty of "The Golden Compass." I'm also not so keen on the religious direction it's heading in. Apparently the overarching story line of the trilogy is the reversal of Milton's "Paradise Lost" - which I read in high school but don't feel like revisiting. To me, anti-religion is still focusing on religion. With the first book I felt like I was reading something totally new and imaginative which was thrilling. That said, I'll read the final book at some point. I'm just not in a rush. |
| Remarkably and refreshingly different from Harry Potter ***** |
|---|
| Wow. Even better than the first installment! So far, the books have been so remarkably and refreshingly different from the Harry Potter series that if I'm not careful, Lyra and Will Parry may replace Mr. Potter as my current favorite young literary heroes (apologies to Huck Finn, but I did say "current"). Come to think of it, comparing HDM with HP really isn't fair; their only similarity is that they're both categorized as juvenile fiction. In fact, with J.K. Rowling deliberately avoiding any mention of anything remotely religious or even scientific, her series pales in comparison to "His Dark Materials" and the themes addressed therein: faith, religion, spirituality, quantum physics, reality theory, the Church's relationship with and influence on society, individualism, the power of human potential, to name only a few. I'm actually pleasantly reminded once again of the breadth and scope of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." |
| not just for YA readers; conceptually brilliant **** |
|---|
The Subtle Knife is the second installment in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. While the first one, The Golden Compass, was set in a world parallel to ours, this sequel brings a new protagonist to the story set in our own world. A young boy, Will Perry, who is Lyra Belacqua's age joins this incredible story. Somewhat similar to The Lord of the Rings solely because the entire series is a journey to uncovering the mysteries, secrets, and the truth, the sequel definitely does not disappoint.
Philip Pullman's talent shines in this sequel, as he captivates me with his prose and pace. This book (including The Golden Compass) shows memorable characters, exciting plot developments, and unexpected twists and turns.
Conceptually brilliant, I think this will not only get praise from young adults but will captivate adults as well. I could not wait to read the last book in the trilogy, which I will write a review on too, for sure. |
| The Great Inter-Dimensional Saga Continues... ***** |
|---|
| I have to say that "The Subtle Knife" is another fantastic novel by Mr. Pullman in the "His Dark Materials" series. I couldn't put the book down and found the plot thoroughly entertaining and engrossing as it shifted from character to character, motive to motive, saga to saga. There was always a reason to continue reading as surprises and astounding revelations sharpened my focus and always kept me guessing. I can't wait to move on to the next book "The Amber Spyglass" as Mr. Pullman has done a splendid job crafting his first two books of the series (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife) and has earned another loyal fan through his efforts. |
| Lacking ** |
|---|
| Just to be clear, I loved the Northern Lights and as soon as I finished it I jumped into The Subtle Knife. It simply wasn't in the same class at all. If you haven't read this book there are a few spoilers ahead. The first book started and finished with Lyra as the main character, and I never warmed to the introduction of Will. He was an altogether more sombre character, less fun, less exciting , less entertaining, just plain less. This book takes a darker turn than NL with the seeming greatest desire of Will to meet his father and then to have ended with a silly death and the sillier line "you wouldn't understand". Indeed I don't. And by the time I had finished reading I was so disappointed, I won't be reading the third in this trilogy. The author didn't seem to know what to do once the knife was found and Lyra and Will were wandering, waiting for the plot to move on. There were a few hints about a war and it was fuzzy what it was about and who it was with. If this had been made clearer it could have carried the story more. All in all, a disappointing sequel. If you are thinking of reading it, don't bother. |
| The weakest book of the trilogy - but still terrific. **** |
|---|
A thoroughly enjoyable, hard-to-put-down book which introduces the reader to new worlds of adventure as Lyra and Will meet each other for the first time. I found this the weakest of the three books in the trilogy, which is more a testament to the quality of the first and third books, rather than any intrinsic weakness in this one. However, with a razor to my throat, I would say that the quality of the descriptive writing is stronger in the first book, and the plot development (and the wonderful engagement with ideas about life, death and love) are stronger in the third book.
To some extent, this is inevitable, and the criticism is unfair. Having lost the benefit of being able to describe things for the first time, and also not aiming to draw things to a final climax, this book more than ably provides the stepping stone from Lord Ariel's world and the search for Dust, to the multiple worlds of Lyra and Will, Dark Matter, the witch clans, particle physics, angels and Spectres.
Once the reader is engaged with the abilities of the 'subtle knife', the author has a lot of fun with the possibility of entering (and re-entering) various worlds. We can only hope that the second book is also made into a film. |
| It won't disappoint ***** |
|---|
| After the first book (Northern lights) I was desperate to read more and know what happens. This did not disappoint me, with twists and turns and lots of places for surprise it captured me like the first. I could barely put it down; if you're a fan of fantasy you defiantly should buy. In the second we're introduced to Will a young boy from our world who has got some unwanted trouble, but he's in for adventure when he see's a cat disappear in mid-air. On closer inspection he see's that is a kind of window, and he climbs into it and into another world where he meets Lyra and Pan. |
| Short and Sweet ***** |
|---|
Fast paced and well cadenced. The story delves deeper in the interactions with and within the various characters, new and old. Pullman artfully weaves the book in an ever increasing philosophical implications of his storytelling.
A worthy sequel to the first. Pity it is quite short. Could not keep my hands off it.
Immediately starting the third. |
| The subtle knife ***** |
|---|
| Bought it for my daughter (14yrs). The first couple of pages she found it a bit slow and confusing because the story didn't continue with the main character (Lyra) from the Northern Lights (1st in the series). As she read on and sorted out the different charcters the story started linking to the 1st book. From there on I can't keep her away from her book and is looking forward to the next one. |
| Amazing sequel to a good first ***** |
|---|
While the plot of the Golden Compass is enthralling and a good read, the Subtle Knife expands upon it and unique ideas more than I would have imagined. I found myself much more taken in by the ideas Pullman expanded on - the link between science and fantasy and religion was a big appeal for me. This is a book (and series) I find myself telling everyone to read, because I was so taken by just how unique the storyline is. You won't be disappointed reading this.
The Golden Compass is longer and not as enthralling, but it is a vital set up to this and the next book (The Amber Spyglass), and worth reading so you can continue on with the series. |
| Good Job ***** |
|---|
| I placed this oder as a birthday gift to my daughter, It took awhile, but it got rectified> Amazon responded to my email very quickly. I ended up with 2 books. So I instructed them to go ahead and charge me for the other book. Very good service and wouldn't have it any other way. My daughter is very happy. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
|
home
