YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

She had asked: What is he? A friend or an enemy?

The alethiometer answered: He is a murderer.

When she saw the answer, she relaxed at once.

Lyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted otherworld – Cittàgazze, where soul-eating Spectres stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky.

But she is not without allies: twelve-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another's, has also stumbled into this strange new realm.

On a perilous journey from world to world, Lyra and Will uncover a deadly secret: an object of extraordinary and devastating power.

And with every step, they move closer to an even greater threat – and the shattering truth of their own destiny.

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ I already like Will. I think he will be good for Lira. She's a bit spoiled and I think he can teach her a lot. It's clear that he's had to take care of his mother and be independent and without Iorek, she'll need someone to help her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ Religion just became a lot more prominent in this story. There were a lot of symbols in the Golden Compass, but there were subtle enough that you could overlook them, if you wanted, and read it as a simple adventure story. I don't think that will be possible at all here. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ I really like how the contrast between science and Good vs Evil (religion/spirituality) is happening. I think it would be really thought provoking, especially for the target age. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I wonder who he is and how she knows him? Too bad she didn't see the snake. She'd know for sure, not to trust him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I really wasn't expecting that. I feel bad for the old man. Sounds like he'd had it pretty rough. I think he could have taught them so much had he not died. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ I am so glad they have Serafina back! She is so knowledgeable and ready to help. And I love how she's leading the witches. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ I love how Pan is with Will. It's sweet. And that he chose to let Will touch him without asking Lyra. I wasn't really sure how that worked. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Yeah, that was pretty blatantly anti-Christian. Which I knew was the theme, but I didn't realize it was so obvious. Lyra being 'Eve' was pretty unexpected as well. I'm eager to read the next one to see how that works. (hide spoiler)]