Search - The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, No 2)

The story in this book is the second of the Dark Materials trilogy and should not be read before reading the first book. That being said, I loved this trilogy and feel that it surpasses even Harry Potter (another series that I love). The book is written for young adults, but I've known several older adults who've read the book and enjoyed it tremendously.

The second and third books in the series are written for people whose spirtual journey is not yet over. If you are absolutely sure you have all the answers, then why bother reading anything? In my interpretation, Pullman is not "killing God." In actuality (in the third book in the series), God dies, or rather dissolves, from old age and irrelevancy. But keep in mind that Pullman's God is part of his constructed fantasy world. Some will find that offensive. I didn't; but then my journey is still ongoing.

This book is the second of the dark material series. Lyra and Will are introduced to other worlds in different dimensions as they search for Will's lost father. Along the way, they obtain the subtle knife, which can slice through any form of matter. Their journey is hastened and interrupted by the magisterium and others seeking to kill them.

This series is controversial because Lyra and Will are supposed to be Eve and Adam, complete with committing the original sin. According to Pullman, God isn't the ultimate creator. He is a lying angel on a power trip, who just happened to be the first one created from Dust. The children are supposed to kill God, but the moment is rather anti-climactic.

I would recommend this book to anybody who is seeking spiritual enlightenment. Read it as a work of fiction, not a religious text and it is an enjoyable, well written story that makes you think.

Excellent book. You can't help but fall in love with the characters. This is the second book in the trilogy.

This book takes you farther on the adventures of the young heroine- into different worlds-excellent