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42 pages 1 hour read

The Subtle Knife

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997

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Book Brief

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Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997
Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Multiple Worlds • Contemporary

Publication Year

1997

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

890L

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Super Short Summary

In The Subtle Knife, 12-year-old Will Parry from Winchester, England, seeks his missing father and inadvertently enters a parallel universe, the vacant city of Cittàgazze, where he meets Lyra Silvertongue. Together, they uncover secrets about their worlds and destinies, including a powerful knife and the mysterious substance "Dust," while avoiding dangerous antagonists. The book explores themes of mental illness, death, and abandonment.

Mysterious

Adventurous

Fantastical

Suspenseful

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.3

452,631 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife is widely praised for its intricate world-building and compelling characters, particularly the development of Lyra and the introduction of Will. However, some readers find the plot slightly convoluted and the pace uneven. Overall, it is celebrated for its imaginative scope and mature themes, continuing the intrigue of the His Dark Materials series.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Subtle Knife?

A reader who would enjoy The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman is typically a young adult or adult who appreciates fantasy, adventure, and complex, immersive worlds. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia will likely find this book captivating due to its blend of magical elements and philosophical themes.

4.3

452,631 ratings

79%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

341

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Multiple Worlds • Contemporary

Publication Year

1997

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

890L

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