Rating: Summary: A great read Review: I read Ruby in the Smoke and was really confused. When my dad brought me Shadow in the North I didn't even want to give it a chance, but I did and soon I couldn't put it down. It was a little confusing but still a great story. The only reason I was about to give it four stars was because the ending was really sad, but I won't say. I have Tiger in the Well and am planning to read it soon.
Rating: Summary: Too Predictable Review: Although I love mystery books, this was not one of my favorites. To me it seemed like all the whole trilogies end in a manner that is so predictable. When I finished reading this I felt as if I was waiting for the actual plot to start! I also think that this book it a bit inappropriate. When other readers say that Sally falls in love with Fredrick, they really mean LOVE. And I am not talking about kissy, kissy. When Sally and Fredrick are alone one night, they have strip naked SEX! AND THEY ARE NOT EVEN MARRIED! I thought that this book was sending the wrong message about sex before marriage, and would not recommend it to any body of slight interest.
Rating: Summary: A Trilogy of Mystery Review: Sally Lockhart, a financial consultant, has just found out that one of her clients lost all the money she invested in a company that went bankrupt. In order to get her money back, Sally decides to investigate who was in charge of the company and why it went bankrupt. At the same time, Sally's friends Fred and Jim are trying to figure out who is trying to kill a famous magician, Mackinnon. This magician can see images of something that happened by touching an object. He once saw a murder taking place using this talent, but he did not see the murderer of the victim. The person who is trying to kill Mackinnon was the murderer, and he thinks Mackinnon knows everything. The man who Sally is looking for is the same man who is trying to kill Mackinnon, but they do not realize this until later. As they are trying to solve these mysteries, Sally realizes that she is in love with Fred, as he had said many times. Jim falls in love with Mackinnon's wife, the daughter of a duke. I liked this book because it had two mysteries going on at the same time, but in the end they met up and were really just one mystery. This book had mystery, suspense, romance, and tragedy all in one. Sally and Fred realize they love each other but something happens to keep them apart. This is the second book in a trilogy. I read the first one, A Ruby in the Smoke, which I loved, so I thought I would like this one. There is also a third book and another trilogy by the same author, The Golden Compass trilogy, which I also liked a lot. I thought The Shadow in the North was just as good, if not better, as these other books by Philip Pullman.
Rating: Summary: Fredrick Review: I found this the best book out of the series. It was unpredictable, sorrowful, hopeful, and just plain KICK... in the end. Go Sally is what I have to say. And you get a good surprise in the end.
Rating: Summary: Ehhhh, it was all right Review: I really loved The Ruby in the Smoke, so I thought this one would be just as good, it was okay, but I definatly prefer the first one.Here are the reasons: 1- There were some lulls in the action where the book got kind of boring and hard to follow. I stopped reading it in the middle and left it for about a week, then went back anf finished it. 2- Some things in the plot leave you going " Huh?". Like what was the whole thing with the fortune tellers and all? I still don't get what that had to do with the plot. 3- The lack of imagination regarding the climax. How is a steam-powered railway gun a " sinister plot that could subvert all of humanity"??!! Come on! We know you can be more imaginative than that!! 4- Some of the stuff is definitly inappropriate and completly uncalled for. Those of you who have already read it know what I mean. So you see, this book was just " all right". To really see Phillip Pullman at his best, read the His Dark Materials trilogy! Those are really great!
Rating: Summary: Adventure awaits Ms. Lockhart and Crew Review: "The Shadow in the North" takes a darker tone than the previous Sally Lockhart book, "The Ruby in the Smoke." Sallies enemies take on a more realistic tone than the operatic Ah Lee, and there is some serious doubt about who, if anyone will prevail in this strange adventure. Like all books in this series, Philip Pullman pulls together historical accuracy, winding plot lines, likeable characters and outright adventure. Sally Lockhart is not a perfect hero. She has faults like any person and often is blinded by her ambition to prove herself. She goes through many changes in this book and matures into a young woman. No longer a teenager, Sally is in her twenties in "The Shadow in the North." Fred Garland and Jim are there to help her as usual. I don't want to give away too much about the book. It is a mystery after all! But I will say that, like many Philip Pullman books, "The Shadow in the North" is bitter-sweet and captivating. Sometimes reality intrudes too much into the fantasy, leaving a strange sensation for the reader. A very good novel.
Rating: Summary: Yet another Best Book Ever Review: My first review for Ruby in the Smoke was Best Book Ever, but the second book, Shadow in the North, is just as good, or possibly better. Alhtough slightly longer than "Ruby", it takes about the same amount of time to read because, like all of Pullman's works, it moves along quickly. Sally Lockhart now has a company of her own and is not as dependent on Fred. The book will have you crying and smiling at the end. I love how all the pieces come together!
Rating: Summary: Shadow in the North Review: Philip Pullman shows us his incredible abiltity to weave a fantastic mystery once again in the Shadow in the North. By far the best in the Lockhart series, Pullman mkaes you fall absolutely in love with the main characters in these books. The focus of this story is definetely Sally's relationship with Fred, with a complex, wonderful mystery going on behind it. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is sooooooo good!!
Rating: Summary: Keeps you hanging till the last minute. Review: If you enjoyed A Ruby in the Smoke you will love the sequel, Shadow in the North. Philip Pullman again uses his extraordinary ability to write mystery books. Pullman is able to connect two totally different things to add a whole new twist to the story. An example is when he had one mystery and another one that were totally unrelated and in the end it was all one mystery. I enjoyed this book as much as his other novels because of the fastmoving plot. This book is similiar to Stephen King's books. Not because of the style of writing, but because of the fast plot and suspense.
Rating: Summary: Blooming Excellent Review: I really enjoyed the whole trilogy, but this was definately the best! The story was really well thought out and written in a pleasing tone. The characters came alive for me and I felt close to all of them. The ending was unexpected and sad which, in my opinion was good, because its not a typical happy ending (although it brought a tear to my eye). Despite others feelings that it may be a bit far fetched I dont feel the same - c'mon it is fiction! The educational factor of this book, as well as the other two in the trilogy, is great. Even I learned a bit about Victorian times and lifestyles. Thank you Phillip Pullman for giving me a good days read!
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