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A review by katykelly
The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
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!