The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2)
3 journalers for this copy...
This is the second book in a series that is #3 on the BBC Top 100. I got this book from Titletrader.
From Chapters:
The Subtle Knife begins in our own world, where Will Parry, driven by curiosity about his mysterious, missing father and concern for his vulnerable, disturbed mother, accidentally kills an intruder. While fleeing, he finds a "window" into a sunlit otherworld. What could be a better refuge than a hidden universe? But this universe is a strange, empty place: a city that seems to have been abandoned in such haste that food is left rotting on plates at a sidewalk cafe. The inhabitants of the city, Cittágazze, have fled from the invading Specters, ghostlike creatures that devour the souls of adults. But Specters are harmless and invisible to children, and soon Will meets another fugitive child in Cittágazze: Lyra. Although he does not know it, their lives are soon to become forever intertwined when Lyra’s alethiometer gives her one simple command: Help Will find his father.
The richly imagined world of Book One seems almost quiet and simple when compared to the turmoil of Book Two. Here "Dust" is called "dark matter" and has been joined by a myriad of other complex phenomena, including the Specters and bene elim (angels). One protagonist has been replaced by two, Lyra and Will. Most significant of all, Lyra’s truth-giving compass seems to pale in comparison to the power of Will’s new acquisition, the subtle knife, the Æsahættr, the knife that will cut ANYTHING. What can it mean to be the bearer of such an instrument?
From Chapters:
The Subtle Knife begins in our own world, where Will Parry, driven by curiosity about his mysterious, missing father and concern for his vulnerable, disturbed mother, accidentally kills an intruder. While fleeing, he finds a "window" into a sunlit otherworld. What could be a better refuge than a hidden universe? But this universe is a strange, empty place: a city that seems to have been abandoned in such haste that food is left rotting on plates at a sidewalk cafe. The inhabitants of the city, Cittágazze, have fled from the invading Specters, ghostlike creatures that devour the souls of adults. But Specters are harmless and invisible to children, and soon Will meets another fugitive child in Cittágazze: Lyra. Although he does not know it, their lives are soon to become forever intertwined when Lyra’s alethiometer gives her one simple command: Help Will find his father.
The richly imagined world of Book One seems almost quiet and simple when compared to the turmoil of Book Two. Here "Dust" is called "dark matter" and has been joined by a myriad of other complex phenomena, including the Specters and bene elim (angels). One protagonist has been replaced by two, Lyra and Will. Most significant of all, Lyra’s truth-giving compass seems to pale in comparison to the power of Will’s new acquisition, the subtle knife, the Æsahættr, the knife that will cut ANYTHING. What can it mean to be the bearer of such an instrument?
Before I even get to the review, let me tell you how much the cover of this book creeps me out. You a guy seemingly looking directly at you and then this creepy furry creature in the background looking like he's 1/2 way between being scared of you and wanting to eat you. Anyways....
This is the second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy. The last book left us with Lyra following her father into a new world. This book sees her meet Will, a boy without a daemon, who also has run from his world when strangers came looking for his dad who disappeared 12 years ago. Lyra and Will join forces to learn more about dust, find Will's dad, and stop Mrs. Coulter from her continuing campaign of power. Several other characters make reappearances in the book including Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala (excuse the incorrect spelling). They continue in their own world to help Lyra's campaign and learn of the impending war across all worlds in which Lyra will play a pivotal role.
Usually the second book in the series is never as good as the first, but that was definitely not the case here. This book was as good, if not better than the first book. I spend a good portion of my Labour Day finishing the book because I just couldn't put it down. I thought Lyra lost a bit of her courage and cunning nature in this novel, however Will seemed to pick it up and even things off. I'm very much looking forward to the next one!
This is the second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy. The last book left us with Lyra following her father into a new world. This book sees her meet Will, a boy without a daemon, who also has run from his world when strangers came looking for his dad who disappeared 12 years ago. Lyra and Will join forces to learn more about dust, find Will's dad, and stop Mrs. Coulter from her continuing campaign of power. Several other characters make reappearances in the book including Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala (excuse the incorrect spelling). They continue in their own world to help Lyra's campaign and learn of the impending war across all worlds in which Lyra will play a pivotal role.
Usually the second book in the series is never as good as the first, but that was definitely not the case here. This book was as good, if not better than the first book. I spend a good portion of my Labour Day finishing the book because I just couldn't put it down. I thought Lyra lost a bit of her courage and cunning nature in this novel, however Will seemed to pick it up and even things off. I'm very much looking forward to the next one!
This book is with me
This is the second book in His Dark Materials series. Lyra has found several new worlds and teams up with Will Parry. Lyra, at first finds herself in a world where adults are set upon by specters and rendered almost comatose. It is a haunting world in which the children are left to fend for themselves. She encounters Will who is in search of his father and has stumbled upon this world through a rift. He had had to leave his old world because he had murdered some men in search of his father's letters.
Lyra and Will go from world to world searching. Lyra is intrigued by Will's world and seeks some help from a physicist there. While there she incurs the interest of a evil man who steals her truth compass. In the meantime Will has found an even better tool in the form of a knife that will cut anything.
This second book is even better than the first. There is lots of adventure, witches, angels, sorcery and good and evil. I loved how Lyra and Will connected and their relationship. I feel that Pullman moderated the whininess of Lyra and made her more likable.
Lyra and Will go from world to world searching. Lyra is intrigued by Will's world and seeks some help from a physicist there. While there she incurs the interest of a evil man who steals her truth compass. In the meantime Will has found an even better tool in the form of a knife that will cut anything.
This second book is even better than the first. There is lots of adventure, witches, angels, sorcery and good and evil. I loved how Lyra and Will connected and their relationship. I feel that Pullman moderated the whininess of Lyra and made her more likable.
Another book from last months meetup.
