4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 01/07/2007

I love this series! Now, even though I prefer the first book to this one, the Subtle Knife is still an amazing litereary achievement. Philip Pullman is one of the most talented people in this world.
This story is incredible and I reconmend this to anyone and everyone.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 10/06/2007

The second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy, it begins with the focus shifting from Lyra to Will, a boy of about twelve who lives alone with his disturbed mother. However, the ‘bad people’ that Will had always thought were only in his mother’s head suddenly prove themselves to be real, and are intent on stealing documents that Will’s father, who has been missing for years, left behind which details some research of his. In a bid to escape the mysterious and dangerous men, and to protect his mother, Will runs away with the documents and into another world, where he meets Lyra. Both children decide to stick together in their ensuing adventures, as both children discover that their destinies are of the utmost importance to all the worlds.

This is a wonderful sequel to Northern Lights (or The Golden Compass, as it is known in America), and expands a lot on Pullman’s multiple universes and the physics involved; the way the construction of the worlds are sometimes confusing, but it does become clearer as you read on. The character development in excellent; Lyra remains as appealing a heroine and as well-rounded a character as she was in the first book, and her development is believable and adds to her character very well. The new character Will is an excellent addition, and the friendship between the two children is very well done. The language is lyrical and beautiful without being stilted or unbelievable, and the dialogues from different characters are always distinctive to that particular character. A wonderful achievement, and definitely very highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 28/05/2007

This is the second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy and, like most sequals, is not as good as the first. While "Northern Lights" was acceptable as fantastical in a parallel universe, Pullman's attempts to bind that world and this fail to be convincing. Will is badly portryaed and Lyra seems a different person from the first book. Still worth the read to find out what happened but don't expect too much.

4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 13/05/2007

The second instalment in the Phillip Paullman’s “Dark Materials ” trilogy The Subtle Knife, is an engrossing, if slightly convoluted tale that will appeal to young adults and the more mature alike.
As Lyra ‘s trust in her parents disappears and she is drawn further into the dark plans of both her mother and father we find her stepping through a door between world, a door cut with a knife, a knife held by a boy not much older than herself, a boy from our earth.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 23/04/2007

I have only one problem with this book - that it is often listed as a 'Children or Young Adult' book. It's complexities and beautiful dialogue are exceptional, and will always be a favourite of mine - and I am definitely not a child or young adult anymore!
Pullman has created a masterpiece in this book, and it only gets better in the third installment. I absolutely do not hesitate in giving this book 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 21/02/2007

This book follows Lyra's adventure, only now she is travelling through new worlds with the help of a boy, Will, who gets given a knife that allows them to travel from one world to the next. Only now, they being followed by the mysterious women from the first book, and they discover that Dust is not the only thing they have to worry about.

3.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 12/01/2007

The second in His Dark Materials trilogy. It strongly builds on the events of Northern Lights, and brings Will and Mary into the narrative. The many intricate storylines begin to weave closer together as Will comes to understand what he is meant to do. And all the while, Lyra's mother is seeking her out...

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 04/12/2006

This brilliant sequal to Northern Lights introduces a young boy, Will, who soon becomes a character of great imortance to the trilogy. This story is even better than the first, with lots of adventure, magic and even more worlds all accessed by a single knife, the subtle knife.....
Definitely worth reading. A brilliant storyline.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 12/07/2006

In the second Dark Materials book we learn of Will, a young boy with a mother who's health is failing. Leaving her in the capable arms of another, he unintentionally travels to another world where he meets the courageous spirit of Lyra. As these two form an unlikely bond, their seemingly combined fates take them on a journey that neither of them were able to comprehend. Travelling through a world infested by adult soul-suckers, they encounter the Subtle Knife, a weapon with the ability to cut through into any world at all. Will must find the strength within himself to harness this power and enormous responsibility, with Lyra's help. Phillip Pullman does not disappoint.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 27/06/2006

The second book in Pullman's Dark Material's and we enter a world a lot like ours and meet a boy.. like any ordanry boy except he has a strange destiny. He finds a window where he can go through into a different world. He meets up with Lyra and together they find their destines waiting. This second book builds on the intrigue and mystery of first and is a fantastic read!