NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Philip Pullman returns to the parallel world of His Dark Materials–now an HBO original series starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Lin-Manuel Miranda–to expand on the story of Lyra, “one of fantasy’s most indelible heroines” (The New York Times Magazine). Don’t miss Volume II of The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth! Malcolm Polstead and his … Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth!
Malcolm Polstead and his daemon, Asta, are used to overhearing news and the occasional scandal at the inn run by his family. But during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm finds a mysterious object—and finds himself in grave danger.
Inside the object is a cryptic message about something called Dust; and it’s not long before Malcolm is approached by the spy for whom this message was actually intended. When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he begins to notice suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl—just a baby—named Lyra.
Lyra is at the center of a storm, and Malcolm will brave any peril, and make shocking sacrifices, to bring her safely through it.
“Too few things in our world are worth a seventeen-year wait: The Book of Dust is one of them.” —The Washington Post
“The book is full of wonder. . . . Truly thrilling.” —The New York Times
“People will love the first volume of Philip Pullman’s new trilogy with the same helpless vehemence that stole over them when The Golden Compass came out.” —Slate
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I loved Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, which I found to be very thought provoking when I read it in my 40’s (despite its Young Adult category). In fact, I and my 75 year old mother enjoyed some philosophical discussions with each other as we both read the books. So I was excited to see this new, related, series come out. La Belle Sauvage didn’t disappoint. Although not (yet) as thought provoking as the His Dark Materials trilogy, I had fun reading it and following the danger and intrigue of the story. I only wish I had waited until the entire trilogy was completed. Now I’m going to have to wait impatiently until the next segment of the story is published…
Pullman’s latest, a precursor to “The Golden Compass,” does not disappoint. If you liked the trilogy, you will enjoy this one.