Dark Fire

Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom

Second book in the Shardlake series.

This book was even better than dissolution which was the first in the series. This time Matthew Shardlake has to contend with an even more gruesome set of assassins and attempt to keep Thomas Cromwell in power. Then he also has to find out whether a friends daughter which has been accused of murder is really guilty. This novel shows the details of every thing that it passes in London: the smells, the sights and also the atmosphere. Sansom has written this novel brilliantly and I hope that his next books will be just as good if not better. I am giving it 9/10.
MB

It is now three years since Matthew Shardlake the hunch back lawyer worked for Cromwell at Scarnsea Abbey.  He goes to the defence of a young woman accused of murdering her Cousin by pushing him down a well.  The call comes from his old master Cromwell who offers him assistance in the case if he will undertake an investigation for him.   Again you get a full flavour of the times and the way life was lead in the reign of Henry VIII.  I fully recommend this story and as the author writes more he understands the complexity and melancholy of the character he has created.  I give this a 9 out of 10.

JB

Overall it is 9/10.

The Subtle Knife

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

Second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy.

This book was continued from the first book Northern Lights. It began with Lyra meeting up with a boy in a completely different world. She had got there thanks to the discoverment of dust (dark matter) and was able to use it to find an entrance. The boy only found it by mistake under a tree after running away from home. They both joined forces to try and find Lyra's dad who was planning a rebellion against an empire in her world. This leads them to find the subtle knife which will open and close doorways to other worlds with the flick of your wrist. They then meet up with one of Lyra's old friends and they set forth on their mission to find her dad. Philip Pullman has written this very well and it is a brilliant fiction book. I am giving it 7/10.

MB

I had read the first book (see entry for the Northern Lights) which I had enjoyed and was looking forward to reading this book.  Philip Pullman has an interesting view on the world and his views on religion are becoming well known.  This story continues where the other left off however the main character in this story is Will a young man who is responsible for looking after his mother who is disturbed and mentally unstable.  He travels to Oxford and finds a window into another world.  He meets Lyra and an exciting adventure starts.  These novels are very dark at times and it is clear that the message that is being conveyed over religion and God are very different from the orthodox teaching of the church.  Mr Pullman is an able and exciting story teller and I look forward to reading some of his other books. I give this an 8 out of 10.
JB 

Overall, 7.5/10.