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Summary: We Were Not Impressed...
Review: The book didn't pull us in...the characters were shallow and superficial; there was no point to many of them. Jim? Who? What is happening with Sally and Fredrick? The only reason we kept reading was because we had to. None of us really liked the book...we ordered it because of the excellent reviews, and were disappointed by the reality. It had a good basis and general idea, but the book didn't go where it should have. There was a lot of potential, but no depth to the characters and nothing was really thought through. Many parts of the book could have gone more into depth, but Pullman just glossed over most of the important parts and interesting subjects and facts. For example, the photo shop. No one cares. But, the history of the ruby was an interesting topic that was not elaborated on, and the ruby itself was almost dropped out of the story. In conclusion, we were not all that thrilled with this novel.
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Summary: An amazing book- - - Impossible to put down!
Review: This book combined history and mystery that kept my eyes glued to each and every page. I would recomend this book to any teen girl, Sally's unshakeable courage is inspiring and each of the books in the series is amazing, each different and even more awe-inspiring. I have read most of Philip Pullman's book and have enjoyed them all...Keep reading!!
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Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: This book is a classic! Pullman pulls you into the reading right away. I couldn't put it down!
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Summary: A Mind-Altering Thriller for Young Women
Review: This book changed my early adolescence. Sally Lockhart's journey and progression encouraged me to take my own life and decisions more seriously. The rich description and unpredictable plot kept my attention, which I admit is not an easy feat for children who, like me, were raised on TV. I would recommend this novel for any thoughtful, introspective reader.
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Summary: The Ruby In The Smoke : A masterpiece of Philip Pullman
Review: Philip Pullman's first novel is among his very best -- and like the highly acclaimed His Dark Materials trilogy the story and characters are beautifully written and its depth never wavers. The Ruby In The Smoke, the first of the Sally Lockhart trilogy, is often described with one word: powerful. Bold , brave sixteen-year old Sally Lockhart plunges into a terrifying journey to uncover her father's death's real meaning and a mystery that contains an item hunted for centuries. Determined to uncover the dark truth, she sets out to Victorian London in doing so -- and learns of an enemy lurking in her shadows. Her real journey begins there. And little by little, she will slowly uncover the bits and pieces of a terrifying mystery that will threaten everything -- and secrets that may destroy it all. A heartbreaking, thrilling and satisfying story, The Ruby In The Smoke shows us the talent of Philip Pullman -- and as his stories thrill many a reader we see that his deep plots get better and better over the years. With The Ruby In The Smoke, the reader falls in love with Sally Lockhart's daring personality and will want to read the next two books. I can't wait to read Book Two, The Shadow In The North. And like a ruby in the smoke, the story shrouds itself in powerful mystery with an ending so beautiful and satisfying. Philip Pullman's first novel is one that will impress many; his true talent is seen in The Ruby In The Smoke (I am certain the other two books in the trilogy are even more gripping) and The His Dark Materials trilogy, and he is unsurpassable at that.
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Summary: Intriguing Trilogy
Review: This book - being the first of the Sally Lockhart Trilogy - was really intriguing. The whole series was intriguing.What really struck me was how unconventional these books are - firstly the setting, Victorian England is really well depicted. Pullman obviously knows his history: the opium trade and the British government's involvement in it is told frankly in this book for example. I must admit I liked the first book best - partially because it was such a shock to come across such a fresh writing style - the characters really speak - their accents, their interactions and very human reactions. And while Sally develops to be more 'real' in the following two books, the strangely light, almost careless way of telling the story lent a surreal feeling of freedom to the first book. It almost didn't matter what the plot was, or how Sally's adventure would turn out - I was just so mesmerised by the way one fact after another was presented, to create an incongruous (rubies, babies, bohemians, photographers, lawyers, opium, accountancy, pistols) and therefore fascinating montage of information. Most books seem to work the reader towards a point - either a climax, or a moral: 'this is what you are supposed to get from the book', but the first book of the series feels free of it, even when Mrs Holland finally catches up with Sally, as does Ah Ling. I came out feeling like I had been given permission to go on a holiday. Book 3, which is about the persecution of Jews is more diadactic (and I think a lot of the political arguements may be lost on a younger audience), and book 2 is more 'plotted'. The author also handles legal jargon, and business concepts to especial effectiveness, giving the series a gritty feeling of reality, of being grounded in the dreary details of life, which are so often absent from 'mysteries' or 'suspense thrillers' (a Penny Dreadful it ain't!) I really loved that! All in all, it is worth giving this series a try. I liked it far better than 'The Golden Compass'.
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Summary: An exellent book with well developed characters
Review: This book was fairly complicated, and there were some parts I had to read three or four times in order to understand some crucial point, but in general it was a good book with characters that felt real right away. I am generaly not an avid mystery story reader, so this book being the first in a long time was a bit confusing in the beginning, though I very quickly was swept up in the story. This book had good, true to life characters, though in my opinion not enough descriptions of the scenery. The basic plot was, sixteen year old Sally Lockhart goes in search of what a cryptic message she recieved concerning her fathers recent death may mean. On the way she meets some charming new friends and discovers some fascinating truths about herself. So, this book was not as good as The Golden Compass by the same author, but still interesting enough to make me want to read the rest of the series.
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Summary: Fun and Intriguing Page Turner
Review: As an adult reading Philip Pullman for the first time, I was fascinated by the gutsy protagonist and her search for the truth about her past. The plot has lots of twists and turns with so many characters that it doesn't all hang together as well as I would have liked. The ending contains several unexpected surprises and enough interest for me to read its sequel.
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Summary: Rather Dull
Review: I won't deny it... Pullman is an extraodinary author. For proof, you need only look to Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. But this trilogy was dull. Very dull. It is an excellent example of Victorian England, but if that's not what your looking for, save your money. Buy something else. Buy something good.
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Summary: Not as good as His Dark Materials, but still gripping
Review: This trilogy is the story of Sally Lockhart, a young woman who overcomes obstacles and enemies to build a life in Victorian England, where young ladies should be seen and not heard. In this book, she discovers the true story of who her father is, and how her mother died. She will also hunt for a fabulous ruby, and travel through the lower depths of the East End of London. I think that this is the best of this trilogy, although the last book is very good. The mystery is very compelling, and Pullman is brilliant at drawing you into the world of Victorian England. This will have you on the edge of your seat! Sally Lockhart is an attractive character, and takes everything that is thrown at her by Pullman in good heart. I definitely wanted to read the whole series after this one. I came to this story after The Golden Compass and the Subtle Knife. I think that His Dark Materials is much richer and deeper than this series, but maybe the Sally Lockhart books are easier for a younger audience to read. They are set in a more familiar world, and the stories do not interwind. At the same time, Philip Pullman is a cut above most children's storytellers, as his characters and stories are more original and modern - Sally is definitely a feminist heroine. Will definitely keep this one for my daughter to read.
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