Title: The Shadow in the North

Author: Philip Pullman

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count:288

Rating: 8/10

 

Philip Pullman - The Shadow in the North

Philip Pullman – The Shadow in the North

 

The Shadow in the North is one of Pullman’s Sally Lockhart books, and so as such, it’s a Victorian era tale of suspense, mystery and intrigue. I find it hard to believe that anyone wouldn’t love this book, although I will admit that it isn’t the best in the series, in my view. Then again, I didn’t read them in order, and so perhaps that’s why – I often find that books in Pullman’s series just don’t work if you read them as standalones.

Still, you get to meet a lot of familiar faces here, and Sally herself is back as our protagonist. She’s a little different here than she was in The Ruby in the Smoke – the events of other books have changed her, which is interesting because it adds an extra dimension to her character. Sally feels like an old friend by now, and when she comes up against danger again, along with Jim Taylor, who’s up to his old shenanigans. It’s good to see those guys again.

Overall, I do think that this book deserves a place on your shelf, especially if you’re interested in Victorian stories and steampunk stuff, but there are better Pullman books out there to start with. Luckily, I’m yet to read a bad book of his, and so you can’t really go wrong – I say, put this on the list of books that you want, and go and buy Northern Lights or The Ruby in the Smoke, if you haven’t already. Oh, and be sure to come back and to let me know what you think.

 

Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman

 

Click here to buy The Shadow in the North.