I pointed out in my review of [b:The Golden Compass|119322|The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)|Philip Pullman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1290482272s/119322.jpg|1536771] that the Dark Materials trilogy to me isn't really three books but one book split in three. At first this book seems like a real left hand turn. Will Parry takes centre stage, and he's just as complicated a character as Lyra, but living in what seems to be modern day London. Like Lyra, he seems to be a good person who does bad things for good reasons - with some interesting complete contrasts. For instance, Lyra saves a life early on in book one, Will takes one. I wonder about the chronology here - I see elements of so many other novels in this one. There's shades of [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165637417s/7624.jpg|2766512] , and the Thomas Covenant series for instance. Who begat who?

This book is shorter, and starts to answer the questions brought up in book one, but leaves each answer incomplete. It's this book that turns the adventure epic, and multiplies the threads of tales. Nobody could read this one and not continue on to book three. ( )

Geen vijf sterren vanwege soms wel vergezochte dingen wat de wereld betreft. De karakters en de vaart in het verhaal maken echter veel goed ( )

First book: good. Second: just a bridge to the third? I won't know how I feel about it until I finish the series, I suppose, but on its own it's just... adequate.

Good sequel. Focuses on a new lead, and so feels very different from the first novel. Although I have sympathy for Will, I find I don't like him much.

This book is where the bigger plot is explained and the links to the major characters and events to come are made. It is still written well, and engages and intrigues it's audience. While it's plot it's revealed to swing largely into religious rhetoric, the impact will depend upon the reader. ( )

I don't know what took me so long to read this trilogy!!! I loved loved loved Book 2! I will certainly be looking into other works by Philip Pullman after this! ( )