The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife is the second novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by Philip Pullman, and published in 1997. This is the book that tells the tale of what happens after The Golden Compass. We learn more about the witches, the nature of dust and the Authority (God), Lee Scoresby, and Stanislaus Grumman. In this book, Lyra's adventure continues as she travels from her own world into other worlds; especially one where she meets Will Parry, a boy from our world, and together they search for the boy's lost father. Will finds a passage to an alternate world to escape threats in his own world. Will and Lyra return to our world and meet Dr. Mary Malone who is researching dust in her own world. After exchanging information on dust or perhaps our equivalent, dark matter, Will and Lyra return to the other world and Will comes into possession of the Subtle Knife - a tool that can create portals between worlds and can cut easily through anything, matter or spirit - and he is the only one who can wield it. The children continue their journey together to learn more about dust and to find Will’s father.

I again read this book straight through so I have to say it was an exciting read. However, I did not find it as enchanting as the Golden Compass and I think that may be due to this book being a darker storyline and also less satisfying in plot as it seemed to be a bridge between books 1 and 2. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I was disappointed in the ending because you know I love a happy ending where happy people end up together. I suspect this series is not going to provide me the ultimate happy ending as i am currently reading The Amber Spyglass, book 3.