Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK IS THE BEST!
Review: I loved this book! The characters were fascinating, Will was great. The setting - a cold, harsh world of Specters - and the Subtle Knife, a knife that could cut through anything, were all so mysterious I could not take my eyes of the pages! I just wish I could have rated this book 1,000,000,stars! The only small problem was that Lyra seemed so obedient compared to Will. She was doing all that he wanted, it was as if she was his slave! Where was the Lyra from the "Golden Compass," the strong, ambitious character! She had just turned into a major wimp! Other than that, the book was fantastic. The plot was really intruiging, so I recommend it to everybody I know. Now, when is the next book coming out?
Rating: 
Summary: the subtle knife
Review: The Subtle Knife was filled with 298 pages of adventure, mystery, and excitement. The main characters Lyra and Will were likeable, yet I found it hard to believe kids could go through what they were going through. The story was symbolic in a religious aspect. The Authority could have been God, and the conflict betwen good and evil, God verses the angles. The story took place in several worlds, each world having subtle differences. From present day and human like ourselves(Will) with a soul within, to Lyra's world based around the 1,800's with souls that take on animal forms like Lyras Pantelainum. The main characters are each searching for their fathers, each father important in a different way. Lord Ariel Lyra's father is attempting to destroy the Authority(God), and the church is trying to stop him. "What does that mean, "taking up his mantle?" "What's a mantle?" "A task, I suppose, whatever he's been doing. I've got to carry on. It makes as much sense as anything else."(Page 272) Will is quoted when he realizes that he must take on what his father had started. Will's and Lyras purpose is to save the Universe, they represent Adam and Eve: a new beginning. I would recommend this book, however there would be a warning because of the religious base of the book. I did enjoy it and it was hard to put down so I rate it a 7.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL book
Review: I first read the GOlden Compass a few months ago and absolutely loved it. Then I read the Subtle Knife and thought it was even better. I love the way Philip Pullman leaves you in suspense at the end of each novel. It is a must read!
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Summary: Makes you wonder, Makes you think
Review: This book is INCREDIBLE! It follows it's stunning predacesser with it's own light. More new charactors and fears-Will and the spectors- keep the excitment growing and always constant. All the new paths and ideas it (and the Golden Compass) offers are so addictive with their oringanality that sometimes I just had to put down the book and think, or wonder things like "What would my daemon be?". I accidently read this book before The Golden Compass and even then I loved it- but now I'm speechless. This is a must read, for all.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful job!
Review: I think Philip Pullman is a wonderful author! The Not only are the Golden Compass and this book, the Subtle Knife breathtaking, his other works show the same artistic narrative. I admit, His Dark Materials Trilogy does need a bit of maturity to really understand the meaning, but that does not negate the beauty of this piece of literature in any way! 5 stars all the way for this work! I can't wait until the Amber Spyglass comes out in May 2000!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Words cannot describe this masterpiece! Okay, well maybe so. This book is the latest installment in the Dark Materials trilogy, being book number 2, I enjoyed it even as much as its critically acclaimed predeccessor which drove the reader forward with an engaging plot and an action packed and suspenseful story. This book is by all means one of my favorite books of all time. There may be some themes that are troubling such as very minute so called blasphemy and a few dirty words(but nothing extrmeme at all) , but I would say its awesome anyways. BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Do we no longer have free speach?
Review: I am a 15 Year old reviewer from England and am concerned about the opinions regarding the 'satanist' nature of this book. Many people have written in with complaints about the theme of rebellion against god, first addopted by Milton in Paridise lost. I am apauled at these reactions. Firstly Philip Pullman is only voicing an opinion, all those people who are unwilling to even consider another point of view cannot hope to have an unjudgemental outlook on life. I cannot beleive that even after reading this book, one of its main themes being the constriction, closed mindedness and conditioning of the church, is being echoed by some people proving that this image is, to a certain extent, true. This gives the entire Christianity Faith a stereotype that many already believe is true. Again, another of the books main themes is the dispelling of conventional, black of evil and white of good thinking, turning the entire range into grey. I feel that this is a much more accurate reflection on humanity. However people have obviously had it drummed into them that people, actions and consequences are either good or bad. They like to be told from the beginning who are the 'goodies and baddies' so they know who to support. I beleive this encourages biased thinking and enforces stereotypes to even stronger than they presently are. However people would have us believe that their is only one facet to a person, they are good(loyal, content, unquestioning) or bad(rebelious, sceptical, ambitious, freethinking, indipendant). I am glad that the book, unlike almost all fantasy deals with this theme by extracting the words, good and evil, right and wrong. I also think that it is a brilliant idea of the authers to endere the reader passionately with Lyra who will (perhaps) turn out to be the 'evil' Eve. This book is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, breaking the usual constraints of fantasy literature and dealing with true issues unlike even the supposedly greatest fiction writers such as CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein. I beleive that this is not fantasy but a metephor of reality. The book is revelationary but pehaps even more so is people's reaction to it. (I appologise for all the spelling mistakes, there is bound to be lots of them)
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Summary: I really like the Subtle Knife
Review: I am usually let down b sequals, but this is a big exception. I was as impressed with this book as I was with The Golden Compass.
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Summary: pure magick..
Review: Intoxicating. This book has a daemon all of it's own. It was almost impossible to put down, for it seems the book calls to you. Ever since i was 4 years old i used to pretend there were worlds, not unlike our own, existing on some different energy plane or realm. Someplace where everything you can imagine exists. Where you are a figment of someone's imagination, where they write myths and fables of your life. This book is pure magick.. it opens new doors inside of you, Pullman's words, paint full vibrant pictures of every scene. You Can almost feel Serafina near you. Hear the beating of the angel wings. you are there terror stricken through every attack of the Spectors, wishing you could help. You can see the sky spotted with beautiful witches, you can fly with them. Purely incandescent.
Rating:
Summary: Well, How Do You Sum Up This Book?
Review: I love reading (well, my English teacher tells me, "You don't know how to read a book.") She's on my list of teachers-i-dont-like. Anyway, this and the Golden Compass are the best books! Anyone who knows me can tell (even if they dont know what the books are or anything). What's that "Lyra Silvertoungue" ever-imprinted on your right hand? they ask, as if i could explain. What's your screen name (GldCmpsGrl) stand for? Could it be Gold Campus or Computer girl? Nope! Everyone should read this book for a couple of reasons: 1. I wouldnt have to answer all those ?s. 2. It's the best book in the world. 3. My friends wouldn't think I was as strange as they do now. 4. I could talk to them about something not stupid. 5. What is all that 'stuff' on ur walls? would be a comment like, cool walls. And the list continues... Oh yea, one last comment, If they change the date The Amber Spyglass is comming out one more time (unless sooner than April) ill scream!
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