Any Direction’s Reviews > The Subtle Knife > Status Update
Any Direction
is 44% done
Why are all my favorite kid’s book series depressing? Have one book end in tragedy, Fine. I’m recalling that 2&3 also end in tragedy and knowing that is souring the read a bit. Not remembered but also souring is Asriel maybe being not a bad guy? In premise, God is evil, sure, but the other side is hubristic, war-mongering, child-sacrificer? Where are we going here? Lyra, Pan, Will, and Lee still great though.
— 8 hours, 24 min ago
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Any Direction
is 82% done
Bird fact check: Ospreys are not the same thing as eagles. I get that we needed to make the mistake the first time for clarification purposes, but now that we’ve clarified it should be an osprey. As osprey and eagles generally don’t get along, I imagine Sayan Kötör may be offended at Pullman’s misleading language.
— 5 hours, 58 min ago
Any Direction
is 44% done
I will also comment that these books are third person omniscient, and I am not confused despite the lack names at the top of each section 👀. Audiobook commentary: Hester’s voice sounds like Dolly Parton, which, as she’s the rabbit soul of a good natured Texan, tracks. Each chapter starts with like midi pipe organ music? It fits, but it does catch me off guard.
— Jul 28, 2026 07:11PM
Any Direction
is 16% done
Gotta say Will’s neutral good-had to become my parent’s parent trauma is a pretty good balance for Lyra’s chaotic good-my parents abandoned me and are evil trauma. Real reason I’m commenting: Subtle Knife original cover: one of my favorite covers ever. The best Christian child could not resist. (Then again, I’m also entranced by Warriors covers so maybe I’ll just read anything with a cat painting.)
— Jul 27, 2026 06:22PM