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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
An adult Lyra in the post-'Materials' world: what happened next.
As much as Lyra is the protagonist of Pullman's epic saga, her world is also a character in itself - the world of religious theocracy, one that has gradually become more insidious and dangerous. Lyra is no longer a child but is still recognisable to readers who saw her fall in love with Will and brave the perils of more than one world previously. But now Pan, her daemon, also takes centre stage as the two separated parts of one soul struggle to remain close.
Malcolm too, returns here from the prequel, and both he and Lyra are adults, caught up in another conspiracy, with murder and plots around them, in the world of academia they are so comfortable in. I loved their world within a world - the use of the Oxford academic setting is so unusual for a young person's novel, invigorating, in a serious and tense story encompassing real danger to everyone.
A complicated plot and lots of new and returning characters set the stage for the third book, as this ends with many questions unanswered and story unfinished, characters spread out over the globe.
I enjoyed listening to Michael Sheen narrate the audio version, his multiple voices were well differentiated, and his energy and passion for the book keep momentum going.
Already looking forward to finding out how the saga ends!
As much as Lyra is the protagonist of Pullman's epic saga, her world is also a character in itself - the world of religious theocracy, one that has gradually become more insidious and dangerous. Lyra is no longer a child but is still recognisable to readers who saw her fall in love with Will and brave the perils of more than one world previously. But now Pan, her daemon, also takes centre stage as the two separated parts of one soul struggle to remain close.
Malcolm too, returns here from the prequel, and both he and Lyra are adults, caught up in another conspiracy, with murder and plots around them, in the world of academia they are so comfortable in. I loved their world within a world - the use of the Oxford academic setting is so unusual for a young person's novel, invigorating, in a serious and tense story encompassing real danger to everyone.
A complicated plot and lots of new and returning characters set the stage for the third book, as this ends with many questions unanswered and story unfinished, characters spread out over the globe.
I enjoyed listening to Michael Sheen narrate the audio version, his multiple voices were well differentiated, and his energy and passion for the book keep momentum going.
Already looking forward to finding out how the saga ends!
jenltarg's review against another edition
5.0
Following Lyra into adulthood is just as emotional as myself entering adulthood. The struggles faced head on. Lyra's determination but self doubt spurs her onwards.
yarn_chicken's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly I thought this was boring. It really was only good at the beginning and somewhat tolerable at the end. I also thought it had a problematically narrow Western viewpoint while obviously thinking it didn't. Hopefully the next one is better. Thankfully Michael Sheen's performance saved it. I think I'd listen to that man read the phone book.
disneygirl08's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
socialamoebaemily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked this one and enjoyed it much more than the first in the new Book of Dust series. It's far past La Belle Sauvage and about 10yrs after the initial trilogy ends and we get to revisit many characters we know from across the novels. It was very interesting to see how they are doing now. I feel like this was really the beginning of a new series and the start of a new adventure and I can't want to see what happens next. My big gripe is that this book just cuts off like it was too long and the publishers split it in half so almost nothing is resolved. I suppose the next will pick up right where this one stops but after 5 years I'm worried it won't ever come out. Highly recommend especially if the next novel is ever published!!
zeebookmoth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
francisfrancis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, and War
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, and Murder
fionaeve's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jennybpenny's review against another edition
4.0
“The moon was climbing the sky, and the vast sweep of the Milky Way stretched above, every one of those minute specks a sun in its own system, lighting and warming planets, maybe, and life, maybe, and some kind of wondering being, maybe, looking out at the little star that was her sun, and at this world, and at Lyra.”
theglossreview's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 / 5 stars. The return to Lyra‘s world was magical and the writing was magnificent, but the story is too dark to be enjoyable. Mixed emotions.