The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials : Book 2)

"Northern Lights (a.k.a. The Golden Compass)" ended on a note of infinite possibilties. Lyra's father, the saturnine Lord Asriel managed to rip an opening into a new world and Lyra followed through. Her main aim......to find out more about the elusive concept of "Dust".

While the first book was set in an alternate world very like ours, "The Subtle Knife" begins in our own world. It revolves around Will Parry, a 12 year old boy who lives in modern-day Oxford. Burdened with responsibilities and wiser beyond his years, his only wish is to find his Explorer-father, who went missing on an expedition to the North.

As he embarks on this seemingly impossible task, he comes across a startling discovery. A rent in the air, almost invisible to the human-eye proves to be an entry into a different world. And in this new world he comes across Lyra Belacqua (now called Lyra Silvertongue). Lyra with the help of her alethiometer, is to play a key role in the search for Will's father.

Along the course of their adventures, Will becomes the reluctant bearer of "The Subtle Knife".....a knife with extraordinary and devastating powers.....a knife capable of cutting across different worlds.

The second book is predominantly a passage between the first and the third of the trilogy. Will Parry is a promising hero...fuelled by an odd mix of bravery and desperation. Lyra reprises her role of the head-strong girl who is unaware of the great destiny in store for her.

The book also throws light on the main conflict. The eternal war is between two principles...that of Authority (God/ Rigid Destiny) and a Human's free will. Which shall reign supreme is something that we will know in the third and concluding part of "His Dark Materials"