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adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cursing, Trafficking, Murder
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A joy to return to Lyra's world, explore the Secret Commonwealth, and navigate the question of skepticism - and of losing a part of yourself as you grow up. My discomfort with the relationship between Malcolm and Lyra did, however, detract from my enjoyment overall. Describing a teacher feeling sexual attraction towards his fourteen-year-old student -- not great Phil, no matter how much you remind us they're both adults in the current timeline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Pedophilia
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i'm not entirely sure what I thought of this one exactly.
pros:
- it was gripping, I certainly wanted to hear what would happen next and wish i could read the next book now!
- I did really enjoy the development of Lyra's character, she's clearly grown up and changed a great deal, and her and Pan's relationship.
- I loved exploring the world further, particularly the more human elements, compared with the more supernatural parts we saw in His Dark Materials. There were some pertinent points that I think related to our world, including but not limited to welcoming refugees and being compassionate to people who are different.
- Pullman's writing is as creative and vivid as ever, too. He has a great way of really bringing up a picture of the place.
- The tone was also much darker and it was clearly an adult book. People say fuck and there are awful, deplorable actions described. While this takes away some of the magical glow of the His Dark Materials books, it did make the danger feel more real.
- Pullman really seems to understand what it's like to be a woman/AFAB/fem. Lyra is described as menstruating, as attracting unwanted attention, and her struggles travelling as an unaccompanied woman. (Also, he does a good job of making Malcolm attractive - a big, smart, gentle man willing to protect those he loves? Yes pls.)
- I also liked the side characters, from Alice Lonsdale to all the people Lyra meets on her journey through Oakley street.
- It felt like there was a really good mix of Lyra meeting strangers who meant her harm, weren't interested in her, or wanted to help her. Not everyone was out to get her, or to help her, which felt like a good representation of humanity.
- he created the atmosphere of fear and discomfort with the Magisterum getting more powerful really well, and this Delamare bloke seems awful.
- I was really fascinated by the idea of the Secret Commonwealth and the description of Lyra's imagination and her rationale fighting over whether to believe it or not. It much reminded me of tarot cards (as did Lyra's way of relaxing her mind to read the alethiometer in this book and previous) and paganism and how meaning can be found in the world if you choose to find it.
cons:
- Lyra's character change was a bit of a shock, though it made more sense as the story went on.
- Malcolm's declaration of love for Lyra early in the book felt very strange. After such careful development of Will and Lyra's relationship, it felt very strange to have almost no build up. Malcolm barely knew Lyra except as a baby and a rude teenager, how could he be in love with her? bizarre.
- they do become relevant later but the two books that apparently influenced Lyra's opinion/her imagination seemed to come kind of out of the left field.
- the story also felt a random in general. It's clear that the Secret Commonwealth is guiding her and Pan, but from a rational point of view, Lyra randomly deciding to see Coram and Pan to visit the book author and expecting to just meet up somewhere was kinda odd. The book felt too reliant on coincidences in many places, though I know there's an in-book explanation for this.
- Also, it ended on the cliffhanger of the camel guide knowing Lyra and claiming she has some treasure in the East, but it felt kinda just like the middle of a super long book? There wasn't really any feeling of completion at all other than that Lyra got Pan back
- this did feel slightly shoe-horned to fit into His Dark Materials. Alice is a much nicer character than the original Mrs Lonsdale, who hit Lyra, so that didn't feel like it fit. And Lyra's uncle/Mrs Coulter's brother suddenly turning up and being a big character felt kinda arranged.
- Gay people and non-white characters were included in this book more than in His Dark Materials, but I wasn't convinced the rep was any good. The Princess never wanted her lesbian lover, her daemon was obsessed with her, and when other characters seemed to be hinted as being gay, they weren't good people. Similar with POC, who seemed to be victims or cruel themselves, as far as I recall.
- I also got a touch confused with all the new characters, and would probably benefit from re-reading.
- perhaps it was realistic considering the context of the book, but reading about Lyra getting almost-raped was extremely disturbing and I do get sick of the narrative that women who go on adventures/are brave/put themselves out into the world get raped
(- not Pullman's fault, but I'd forgotten a fair bit of the Belle Sauvage, so i didn't even recognise Alice at the start)
overall, mixed feelings. There was a general sense that it was a bit chaotic and too convinient, but I did enjoy it and very much want to read the next one.
pros:
- it was gripping, I certainly wanted to hear what would happen next and wish i could read the next book now!
- I did really enjoy the development of Lyra's character, she's clearly grown up and changed a great deal, and her and Pan's relationship.
- I loved exploring the world further, particularly the more human elements, compared with the more supernatural parts we saw in His Dark Materials. There were some pertinent points that I think related to our world, including but not limited to welcoming refugees and being compassionate to people who are different.
- Pullman's writing is as creative and vivid as ever, too. He has a great way of really bringing up a picture of the place.
- The tone was also much darker and it was clearly an adult book. People say fuck and there are awful, deplorable actions described. While this takes away some of the magical glow of the His Dark Materials books, it did make the danger feel more real.
- Pullman really seems to understand what it's like to be a woman/AFAB/fem. Lyra is described as menstruating, as attracting unwanted attention, and her struggles travelling as an unaccompanied woman. (Also, he does a good job of making Malcolm attractive - a big, smart, gentle man willing to protect those he loves? Yes pls.)
- I also liked the side characters, from Alice Lonsdale to all the people Lyra meets on her journey through Oakley street.
- It felt like there was a really good mix of Lyra meeting strangers who meant her harm, weren't interested in her, or wanted to help her. Not everyone was out to get her, or to help her, which felt like a good representation of humanity.
- he created the atmosphere of fear and discomfort with the Magisterum getting more powerful really well, and this Delamare bloke seems awful.
- I was really fascinated by the idea of the Secret Commonwealth and the description of Lyra's imagination and her rationale fighting over whether to believe it or not. It much reminded me of tarot cards (as did Lyra's way of relaxing her mind to read the alethiometer in this book and previous) and paganism and how meaning can be found in the world if you choose to find it.
cons:
- Lyra's character change was a bit of a shock, though it made more sense as the story went on.
- Malcolm's declaration of love for Lyra early in the book felt very strange. After such careful development of Will and Lyra's relationship, it felt very strange to have almost no build up. Malcolm barely knew Lyra except as a baby and a rude teenager, how could he be in love with her? bizarre.
- they do become relevant later but the two books that apparently influenced Lyra's opinion/her imagination seemed to come kind of out of the left field.
- the story also felt a random in general. It's clear that the Secret Commonwealth is guiding her and Pan, but from a rational point of view, Lyra randomly deciding to see Coram and Pan to visit the book author and expecting to just meet up somewhere was kinda odd. The book felt too reliant on coincidences in many places, though I know there's an in-book explanation for this.
- this did feel slightly shoe-horned to fit into His Dark Materials. Alice is a much nicer character than the original Mrs Lonsdale, who hit Lyra, so that didn't feel like it fit. And Lyra's uncle/Mrs Coulter's brother suddenly turning up and being a big character felt kinda arranged.
- Gay people and non-white characters were included in this book more than in His Dark Materials, but I wasn't convinced the rep was any good. The Princess never wanted her lesbian lover, her daemon was obsessed with her, and when other characters seemed to be hinted as being gay, they weren't good people. Similar with POC, who seemed to be victims or cruel themselves, as far as I recall.
- I also got a touch confused with all the new characters, and would probably benefit from re-reading.
(- not Pullman's fault, but I'd forgotten a fair bit of the Belle Sauvage, so i didn't even recognise Alice at the start)
overall, mixed feelings. There was a general sense that it was a bit chaotic and too convinient, but I did enjoy it and very much want to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really interesting to see Lyra's character develop as she moves into adulthood. Can't wait to find out what Philip has in store for the final book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm disappointed in the new series. La Belle Sauvage had some of this too, but it's worse here. Why does Lyra's young-adult coming-of-age need to involve her sexual assault? It's such a cop-out and a lazy and mean thing for a male writer like Pullman to lean on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Did not like this one as much as La Belle Sauvage. I gave it four stars because I am SUPER here for the expanded development about human-daemon relationships and the philosophical topics, which was enough to outweigh the things I didn't like about the book (which are mainly the Malcolm thing and soldier scene, already mentioned by many other reviews here).
I'll save full judgment on it until the next book, which I assume will be a continuation.
I'll save full judgment on it until the next book, which I assume will be a continuation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Blood