Book Review of The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

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I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Subtle Knife. After finishing The Golden Compass, I was hooked on Lyra’s world and the strange, magical things Pullman had set up. But honestly, I wasn’t totally convinced that the second book would keep me as interested. Spoiler: I was wrong. The Subtle Knife turned out to be way more fun and engaging than I thought it would be. In fact, I think I actually liked it more than the first book. Pullman’s writing felt tighter, and I loved how the story dove deeper into character development, which definitely kept me turning the pages.

What really stood out to me was the shift in focus from Lyra’s world to the introduction of Will Parry and his universe. I’m a sucker for multi-verse stories, so when The Subtle Knife started jumping between worlds, I was all in. The book does an excellent job balancing those shifts, and I got hooked on the expanding mystery behind Dust and all the wild ideas about free will. So, let’s dive into the plot and see what makes this book so good (with a few minor things that kept it from being perfect).

Plot Summary

The Subtle Knife starts with Will Parry, a young boy from our world (Earth), who stumbles across a powerful object—the subtle knife. This knife can cut through the fabric of reality, opening doors to other universes. Will is on a mission to protect his mentally ill mother, and when the knife shows up, things start getting really complicated.

Meanwhile, in Lyra’s world, she’s still reeling from the events in The Golden Compass. She’s learned a lot about Dust and its connection to humans, but there’s more to discover. Lyra ends up traveling into Will’s world after using the alethiometer (the golden compass) to figure out how to do so. Their worlds collide, and their fates are now tied together in ways they never expected.

As Will and Lyra work together to figure out the bigger mysteries surrounding Dust, they face moral dilemmas and hard choices that test their beliefs about free will and destiny. The stakes are higher than ever, especially with the Magisterium hunting them down and both characters dealing with personal struggles that seem impossible to overcome.

My Review

Strengths

Shifting Universes

I loved the way Pullman expanded the universe in this book. It was so exciting, and for me at least, unexpected. The whole idea of different worlds is something I’ve always loved in fantasy, and Pullman nails it here. The transitions between Lyra’s world and Will’s world are seamless, and I found myself fascinated by the idea that there are so many other realities just waiting to be explored. You’d think that juggling two different universes would get confusing, but it’s actually one of the best parts of the book. It felt fresh and exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see where the characters would end up next.

Character Development (Especially Will Parry)

One of the highlights of this book for me was getting to know Will Parry. In The Golden Compass, Lyra was the main focus, but in this book, we really get a chance to connect with Will. His backstory is sad but compelling—he’s trying to take care of his sick mom, and that drive makes him a really sympathetic character. His relationship with Lyra is also fantastic. Pullman did a brilliant job building the tension between them. Their bond grows over time, and you really start to feel for both characters as they learn to trust each other. I felt like I truly got to know Will by the end, which made his decisions and struggles hit harder.

The Exploration of Free Will

Another thing Pullman did really well was exploring tough moral dilemmas. Both Lyra and Will have to make decisions that test their sense of right and wrong. These aren’t easy choices either—they’re complex, messy, and really make you question the idea of free will versus fate. Will’s constant struggle with responsibility and Lyra’s battle with growing up and understanding the consequences of her actions really stood out to me. The philosophical questions about choice, destiny, and sacrifice give the story a lot of depth and make it more than just a typical fantasy adventure.

Weaknesses

The Villains Feel a Little One-Dimensional

I guess the only problem I had, and it wasn’t that significant, was with the Magisterium and their role in the story. They’re still creepy and oppressive, but they just feel a little too stereotypical as villains. I get that they represent organized religion’s control over knowledge, but I would’ve liked to see a bit more depth or complexity to their motivations. They come across as more of a shadowy force than actual characters, which made them feel less interesting than some of the other parts of the story.

Rating Breakdown

Parting Thoughts

The Subtle Knife was a great continuation of His Dark Materials. I definitely enjoyed it more than the first book, mostly because of how well Pullman developed the characters and explored deeper themes like free will and choice. The multi-verse aspect was a huge plus for me—I love that kind of stuff—and I was impressed with how Pullman juggled all the different worlds and ideas without making things confusing.

The chemistry between Will and Lyra is fantastic, and I felt really invested in their journey. Sure, there were a few pacing issues and the villains weren’t the most complex, but those are pretty minor complaints in what is otherwise a really strong book. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one, and I’m excited to see where Pullman takes this story.

If you’re into fantasy, multi-verse stories, or just well-developed characters facing tough decisions, The Subtle Knife is worth picking up. It’s got a lot of heart, a lot of adventure, and enough depth to keep you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommend!

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About the Author

Philip Pullman is a British author best known for his His Dark Materials trilogy, which includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Born on October 19, 1946, in Norwich, England, Pullman grew up with a love for books and storytelling. He worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer. His His Dark Materials series has been praised for its imaginative world-building, complex characters, and deep themes about freedom and belief. Pullman won the prestigious Whitbread Book of the Year Award (now the Costa Book Awards) for The Northern Lights, the first book in the series. He has also received the Carnegie Medal for The Amber Spyglass and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his contributions to children’s literature. Pullman’s works have been adapted into films, stage plays, and a television series, further cementing his status as one of the most influential contemporary writers.