Reviewed by Artemis on
I love Philip Pullman. I've yet to read a book I didn't love by him. If you haven't read His Dark Materials series then I suggest you stop whatever it is you are doing, head to a library/bookstore/etc and read it. And then pick up the Sally Lockhart mystery series for some well written, fast paced, Victorian-era mysteries!
Shadow In the North picks up several years after Ruby in the Smoke. Sally is now 22, and is running her own financial consulting business (an impressive feat given the Victorian England setting). Plot wise there is a lot going on an evil plot involving a whole assortment of characters involving a false medium, runaway magician and an evil business man who plans to build a horrible machine of destruction.
One thing I love about these books is how Pullman shows us both sides of the mystery, and manages not to loose interest when he switches POVs. He manages to capture these intricate people who all feel so tangible, like you could meet them around the corner from your house or pumping gas or something just so ordinary and everyday. He's also a master of describing absolutely boring tasks. At one point he details Sally's routine and honestly it wasn't boring. Pullman is a master at descriptions.
That ending. Oh god I don't know if I can read the next book after what happened! (But I love Pullman so I probably will, and just sob throughout it). I just don't see the ultimate goal in Fred's death.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 24 February, 2016: Finished reading
- 24 February, 2016: Reviewed