A flat story which left me feeling flat - Rated 
I don't mind PP's books, and fall on them when there's nothing else that catches my eye. This started off intriguing, but chapter after chapter never quite took off. It's not the longest book ever, the print is quite large as if it's aimed at a younger audience despite all the opium dens and drug wrecks, and there's wasted space with pointless prints from bygone times which serve no purpose, and the back end is also used for promotion. So although it's quoted as being however many pages, there's considerably less used for the story.
As for the tale itself, the characters remain flat on the pages for me. I've mentioned in other reviews how I like to feel like I'm part of the world I'm reading and imagining, and I like to feel involved with the characters who are with me through the adventure. But just as with Lyra and the rest in His Dark Materials, Sally Lockhart never reached me and the people she was with remained just carriers of dialogue. It all felt flat and the relationships were portrayed in a functional, sensible manner. Even the Harry Potter series was more inviting and easier to be in, and I'm not the greatest fan of JKR's style or world. I liked The Kite Runner, which was bordering on the intense but worth reading, some of the Lemony Snicket series were lightly amusing and very well done, and The Babushka Inheritance was the best thing in ages.
One of the best books I ever read - Rated 
This book is an interesting mystery, which for some people is hard to get their head round. It is very interesting with many twists and turns and I would definatly recomend to everyone the whole series of the Sally Lockheart Quartet.
Brilliant!! - Rated
I hope when people read the Sally Lockhart series of books, they will not compare them to the His Dark Materials series. His Dark Materials are a stunning set of books but people should not compare Pullman's other works to them. These stories are brilliant in their own right.
I agree with the person who wrote that these books are too good for the kids! I love these books and I'm not a kid! This is the 1st of the 4 stories and a brilliant start. I happened to read the 3rd book first before buying the other 3 so I see how the books are going to pan out but I still felt completely involved in the story. Pullman has a brilliant way of story telling and he captures the feel of the people and surroundings of the 1870's perfectly.
Sally, Sailors and Sparkling Stones - Rated 
"The Ruby in the Smoke" was first published in 1985, and was the first of Philip Pullman's books to feature Sally Lockhart. It was adapted for television in 2006 by the BBC, with Billie Piper - formerly of Dr Who - playing Sally.
The book opens in October 1872, when Sally Lockhart is only sixteen years old and has recently been orphaned. She never knew her mother, and her father - a former officer in the British Army and co-owner of the shipping firm Lockhart & Selby - has drowned in Singapore on company business. Naturally, she had been very close to her father, who had also taken personal responsibility for her education . (As a result, she knew little of French, English Literature, Art and Music though few other young ladies would have matched her in military tactic, the affairs of the Stock Market, military tactics and book-keeping. His most useful advice, however, was probably "keep your powder dry"). Sally, who also suffers from an unpleasant recurring nightmare, now lives with Caroline Rees, a thoroughly dislikable aunt.
When we first meet her, Sally has recently received a cryptic letter. It warns her of something called the Seven Blessings, and that somebody called Marchbanks will help her. She first visits Lockhart & Selby's offices - there, she hopes to find out not only who Marchbanks is, but also what the Seven Blessings are. Unfortunately, the the firm's secretary - Mr Higgs - can't help her : he suffers a heart attack and dies the moment she asks the question. She doesn't have to wait too long for help, though : Marchbanks, a former army officer, and an ex-sailor called Bedwell are both looking for her - and they both have useful information. This information puts Sally on a collision course with a dangerous villain called Mrs Holland . Thankfully she will have help - most notably from Frederick Garland, his sister Rosa and Jim Taylor - a very resourceful office-boy at Lockhart & Selby's.
A short, easy and enjoyable read - though, given the constant references to opium use, it mightn't be to everyone's tastes.
Love Mystries Love this!!!!! - Rated
This book is amazing its a realt thriller full of twists and excitment. Phillip Pullman is AMAZING he really keeps his readers in the books i couldn't put it down, theen when the movie was on TV i was so excites to see it. If you love mystries then iwould buy this book NOW!!!!!
|
