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sarabearian's review against another edition
Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart lives in Victorian London. She has been told that her father died at sea, but it turns out he has been murdered. She finds herself hot on the heels of a complex mystery, and luckily, makes some strong and true friends along the way who help her unravel this multilayered whodunit. Wonderfully written by Philip Pullman. -Jess O.
ladiesman_217's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mcipher's review against another edition
5.0
I think I've read this book a half dozen times - it's one of my favorites from childhood.
richardkmart's review against another edition
3.0
This book was almost four stars. I really enjoyed it, but it surprised me in a few weird ways. It was written with the simplicity and plot structure of a YA book, but then adult things would happen. I kept on getting surprised when guns and opium showed up.
angelscakes198's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jdgcreates's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5) This is not Nancy Drew, the British version, so don't expect that like I did. Pullman wrote a much darker, edgier, and more historically meaningful novel and it was enjoyable (as much as such things can be) and interesting, but I felt that a first-person perspective from Sally might've helped me connect to her more. As it was, I liked her friends more than I liked her.
sarahsulliv's review against another edition
4.0
So glad I finally started reading these! Sally Lockhart is a fantastic hero, and the obvious feminism embedded in the story is wonderful to read. I particularly like that Sally is not the only interesting female character in a sea of vapid ladies and intrepid men. She interacts with other cool women and girls, who, I would imagine, continue to play an important role in later books. Plus, Victorian era orphans and a mystery! I am sold.
I will say though, that Philip Pullman is such an intellectual writer, that I often find it hard to focus on his text. I felt this with the Golden Compass books too - it's not that I can't follow or understand what's going on, it's just that there's a lot of head space involved in staying focused. It's worth the effort in the end, but it definitely takes a particular kind of reading energy.
I will say though, that Philip Pullman is such an intellectual writer, that I often find it hard to focus on his text. I felt this with the Golden Compass books too - it's not that I can't follow or understand what's going on, it's just that there's a lot of head space involved in staying focused. It's worth the effort in the end, but it definitely takes a particular kind of reading energy.
calledplainkate's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting read and the Masterpiece film adaptation is pretty good too. I recently read an article that talked about Pullman's views on ebooks in libraries that I didn't much care for, so as a librarian, I was glad to borrow this from the library.
tinapickles's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. As one of Philip Pullman's (author of His Dark Arts series) early books, this book lacked the grit of books such The Golden Compass. However, for a novel set in Victorian times, it contained a feisty female main character and a little nod to the British Raj in India (specifically the Sepoy Mutiny). The book proceeded at a fast clip making it hard to put down. For areas that were sparse in detail and heavy in internal thought, I didn't feel (as I frequently do) jolted out of the narrative. An over-all delightful if some-what fluffy read.
sammyflounders's review against another edition
3.0
Philip Pullman gets better with time. Sally Loackhart is cool and all, but Lyra Belacqua is my childhood heroine.