Rating: 
Summary: I love these books, but wish for more in this one
Review: First of all, the people who don't like this book seem to me very concerned about his philosophy--that's a large part of what they don't like. On the other hand people who can deal with his philosophy seem to think he can do no wrong. I guess I'm in the middle, I feel challenged by the ideas, but willing and curious to see what he has to say. He's talking about one aspect of religion and God being bad and blowing it up so that that is what God is only. I'm curious to see what the difference between the Authority and, say, the witches' Goddess is. However, this book seemed rushed to me. Whenever he writes about Lyra's world, it has some of the first books rich texture, but on the whole it seems more rushed--Fewer amazing details. Where Mr. Pullman wants to go is further along the storyline and he rushes to get there. He is a bit preachy, and the bad guys are just plain evil, but the women in general are less detailed so I think that's part of the whole rushed feel. Lyra becomes sort of inept and submissive to Will without much internal struggle. I think when he wrote the first book he was ferocious about fleshing out Lyra's character, now he's turned to Will. I wish he had put the same amount of effort into both. He also does't provide enough compelling reasons for the force of Lyra and Will's friendship other than shared activity, maybe that's what's missing. It's funny, when he wrote about the other worlds I felt like he was homesick and wanting to get back to Lyra's. When he writes about Lyra's world his tone changes, and he becomes more relaxed and expansive. The thing is, some books you forgive their faults because the ride they provide is so good, and this is one of them.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent follow-up! Almost as good as the first one!
Review: When I first read this book when I was twelve or thirteen I didn't think it nearly as good as it's explosive predeceser The Golden Compass, mostly because I liked the character of Lyra quite a bit, and seeing most of the focus suddenly switch to this new character Will, (who at that time in mind was only a replacement for her other friend who died in The Golden Compass) was quite annoying. However, now that I've read it again I see that it was not as bad as I thought and in fact, rivaled The Golden Compass itself as far as character development and plot went. Anyway, in this book Will steps from his own world (our world) into a new one by chanceing upon a "window" from his universe into another one. There, in Cittagaze, as it's called he meets up with Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon and they develop a fast, though somewhat shaky friendship which continues to grow throughout the book. They soon discover the intire world is ruled by children, since as soon as they reach puberty the "specters" can get them and devour their souls. Meanwhile, in Lyra's world, Lee Scoresby is traveling around the North in dangerous Tarter country to try to find Grumman, an explorer who holds a certain secret they may need... Anyway, this was a great book that I enjoyed quite a bit, and understood a lot better now that I'm older. My only minor gripe is that Mrs. Coulter and especially Lord Asriel weren't in the book much, and I love them! Even though they're the bad guys pretty much, they are still fun and likeable characters who I sorely missed. Especially Asriel! Luckily though, I'm now about halfway through The Amber Spyglass, so I know he does return, the plot just didn't involve him much in this book. However, though these are supposed to be children's books I wouldn't recommend them to anyone under thirteen or so, because not only can they be violent at times, but also I doubt a child of eleven or twelve would be able understand what was going on even, because of the highly cognitive writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: What a waste
Review: I'm not going to waste your time. My biggest problem with this book is it's anti-religious, anti-God, anti-institution viewpoint. Just fiction? Wrong! Check out interviews with the author on the web, you can find them they by going to your favorite search engine. I can't tell you what was foremost in Mr. Pullman's mind when he wrote them, but they certainly serve as a platform for him to express his personal opinions on the matter. You could say the same for Tolkein and C.S. Lewis for what its worth (obviously they held the opposite view.) With all that said, I do like some things about the author's writing, at least in The Golden Compass, a better book in my opinion. Good enough that I choked down the second one. The first book set a quick pace, but The Subtle Knife seemed hurried, maybe even sloppy, with inconsistencies and unanswered questions. Lyra is little more than decoration in this book! Is it my imagination or is she even less mature? Even if I wasn't bothered by what I view as an attack on organized religion, I would be bothered by what a simplistic view the author paints of the villains and their organization. I read the second book hoping for explanations for some of the bizarre behavior in the first book, and I was left disappointed. The church and it's agents are completely wicked, with nothing to recommend them. They are evil for apparently for no other reason than they enjoy it. Other annoyances? These books are not separate stories, but collections of chapters from one larger work. Also, why would anyone classify these books as children's literature? These books are complex and quite violent, is that a recommendation for kid's reading now days?
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: The Subtle Knife is the second in Philip Pullman's "Dark Materials" trilogy, but readers who have read other Pullman books will know that he has a brilliant knack of making us adults identify with the child within us. Subtle Knife is, in my view, the best of the Dark Materials books and is wonderfully written with the most delicate touch. I congratulate the author on yet another masterpiece of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I didn't think anything could ever come close to the first book in this series ,however, "The Subtle Knife" has definitely exceeded my expectations. If you're a J.K Rowling or Tolkien fan you'll love this, not because it's the same but because it appeals to the same sense of childish adventure and imagination in all of us. It involves a young girl, a boy and an array of interesting characters that all come together to form this brilliant work of a very talented author.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Fast-paced and heart-thrilling this book continues right where the Golden Compass left off. People with short boredom spans will enjoy this book as it jumps from character to character. It may seem incomplete to some of you, but pick up the third one and let all your problems be solved.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Fast-paced and heart-thrilling this book continues right where the Subtle Knife left off. People with short boredom spans will enjoy this book as it jumps from character to character. It may seem incomplete to some of you, but pick up the third one and let all your problems be solved.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than its predecessor!
Review: This amazing book is even better than the first in the series "The Northern Lights" (for some strange reason called "The Golden Compass" in America). At this point our heroine Lyra has crossed through the Northern Lights in her own world to a strange, haunted world reminiscent of Italy, where she meets Will, a boy her own age, who comes from our own world. Incredibly exciting adventures follow!
Rating:
Summary: Great sequel to The Golden Compass
Review: Don't get this book if you haven't already read The Golden Compass. The book has many tie-ins with the previous, and you would not understand many of the things about lyra. But nonetheless, I loved this book. It had many different little stories going on that made it seem like more than one book, in one.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD BOOK!
Review: A lot of people seem to be trashing this book, and I think they are SO wrong. I am almost done with the last book, The Amber Spyglass and here's what I say: Read the last book before you trash the second!! When I finished The Subtle Knife, I was a little annoyed that Iorek wasn't in it, and that Lyra seemed to change, but those where minor things. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK.
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