The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife is the sequel to the Golden Compass. So far, I think it is a really good book, although not on par with the Golden Compass yet. It is very interesting to see how the story from the Golden Compass progresses into this one. Although the beginning is a bit confusing, I got into it. Here is a brief summary.

You are thrust into mystery once you start the Subtle Knife. The book starts off with a boy named Will and his mother. Will’s mother is troubled, and ill for reasons that I do not know. Will pushes his mother into Will’s grandmother’s care for unknown reasons, other than 12-year old Will can’t take care of her. Shortly afterwards, Will goes back home and two robbers break in! Will knows what they’re after, a Green book containing all of the letters that Will’s dad’s (who went missing on a mysterious arctic expedition) letters. These letters, as you find out later, (and would probably guess even before you found out from this) contain something very important.

There are two worlds that I know of within this book. The second world that Will finds out is very strange. It has a very eerie sense about it, because it is almost completely deserted. It really sets the mood for the book, since you find this world very early on.

I am now going to explain what factors make this book and trilogy (so far) extravagant. As what often happens in a trilogy (or any series), the books link very well together. The author is so descriptive, and uses very good words to describe everything. Even though you may not get the word, in context it makes perfect sense. The Subtle Knife has a perfect mix of action, and lots of mystery. The mystery always keeps you on you’re toes, ready for the next big thing, and then the action pushes you along if the story gets slow.

So far, I am thinking that this book is a 7 out of 10. It is a bit slower in this point then it was in the end of Golden Compass. I am sure that it will get better.