3.72 AVERAGE

dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
adventurous mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

3.5
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I read this forever ago, and am currently planning a big Dark Materials post-prospectus binge when I next have the chance for enjoyment-reading, so it naturally got me thinking about Sally Lockhart. Must reread, but now that I think about it, my first real exposure to the British Imperial adventure novel may have been this series.
adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A well done young adult thriller, with an evocative Victorian setting and a persistent rhythm of plot and character moments. For such a short book, Pullman is very effective at packing his stories with a well done sense of pace and atmosphere. I will say, that some of its discussion and depiction of the Chinese and Opium is at times unfortunate so I will say that before proceeding with this book.