Outstanding audio, brilliantly narrated by Michael Sheen. Lyra Silvertongue is now 20 years old, and separated from her beloved daemon Pantalaimon. Pullman has created a world that is both familiar, and foreign, where politics and religion are too closely aligned, and where friends are more important than ever. I loved this, and can’t wait for the conclusion of the trilogy.

The publication of this prequel to His Dark Materials Trilogy was perfectly timed for me! I am a late comer to this extraordinary series, and had just finished reading The Amber Spyglass when La Belle Sauvage was published.
I was captivated by this story of Malcolm Polstead, and his unexpected ally Alice, and their adventure rescuing the baby Lyra. It is fast paced, thrilling and frightening.
Prior reading of His Dark Materials is not necessary, although it does add depth to this novel, with many familiar characters appearing throughout. And it ends with “to be continued…” I hope I won’t have to wait too long for the next instalment of Lyra’s adventures. (I believe in the next book we meet Lyra as a 20 year old! I hope we hear more of Malcolm and Alice’s stories too!)

I am so glad to have finally caught up with this amazing trilogy. Now I understand what all the fuss was about!
There are so many reviews already, I’m not going to go on about this last instalment. However, I do have a small quibble, that other reviewers found unforgivable, but I forgive Mr Pullman! We lose the Lyra that we have grown to love and admire in the previous two novels. She becomes all doe-eyed and subservient to Will when they finally “ fall in love”. Up to that point, she was the hero, and then she turned into a love-sick girlie-girl. That is not who Will fell in love with, or, for that matter, the reader.
However, the story races to a cracking conclusion, and one that I found very moving. So, still 5 stars from me.

More brilliance from Pullman…..I can’t stop to say more, as I’m off to get The Amber Spyglass - I must know how this all ends for our feisty heroine Lyra and all who have helped her on this amazing rollercoaster ride.

Why did it take me so long to finally read His Dark Materials? I don’t have an answer, but I’m certainly making up for lost time, and am almost finished Book 2!
The world that Pullman creates is extraordinary; his characters, unforgettable. I can guarantee that you will be cheering for Lyra all the way. Having just returned from a visit to Oxford, I loved the parallel Oxford portrayed here.
Although this is a complex story, with oblique references to Pullman’s suspicion of religious institutions, I do not hesitate in recommending this book for readers from Year 7+. I can’t wait to finish it!
BTW, if you get an opportunity to listen to the audio version, it’s a real treat, with a full cast of actors, and Philip Pullman himself, the narrator.