Product Description

A marvellous bundle of paraphernalia and memorobilia (including a thrilling board game!), together with a wonderful new story from the acclaimed author, Philip Pullman; the blue book to join with Lyra's Oxford, beautifully illustrated by master engraver, John Lawrence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #147 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-04
• Binding: Hardcover
• 112 pages

Amazon.co.uk

Bonus content inside the book

Synopsis
When Lyra is studying at Oxford University, she comes across the story of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnisson's first meeting, many years ago, along with much evidence of the adventure that brought them together. When a young Texan balloonist, Lee Scoresby, comes down to earth in the harbour of an Arctic town in the North, little does he realise that he is about to be embroiled in an out-and-out political brawl. Lee and his daemon, Hester, find themselves the target of political factions trying to take over the running (and oil) of the town. And also resident in the town are huge arctic bears, ignored and patronised by the people and treated like second-class citizens. When Lee and Iorek first meet, they cement a friendship that will continue throughout their lives, as the tensions and pressure in town lead to a deadly conclusion...Another wonderful tale from a master story-teller, giving us more extraordinary insight into the world of "His Dark Materials".

From the Back Cover
Another mesmerising episode from the universe of His Dark Materials including the very first meeting of those two legends and friends, Lee Scoresby, the Texan balloonist, and Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear.

Set in the far frozen Arctic, Once Upon aTime in the North contains other teasingly authentic memorabilia and clues, together with a thrillign board game, Peril of the Pole, complete with spinner, game board and pieces, all beautifully illustrated and rendered by master engraver, John Lawrence.

Customer Reviews

Funny little thing :)
Again you find yourself reading a review written by a fan of Philip Pullman's work. I must say, if you are a fan as well - BUY IT! Yet be aware of a slight disapointment, because it is far to short! Bear in mind that I myself am a passionate reader, and I need at least 50 pages to get started, and since this funny little book only contains about 96, I was left with a the small disappointment because I just (like so many others) wanted more. It was gone within the hour that I had recieved it. But if you are searching for a small quick read, a collector's object as a fan or you just want a bit more of Pullman's universe - this is it.

I have to say though, that this is the second pocket book which has been given to us by Pullman so why shouldn't he make a third? Well I hope so. This second one certainly deserves 5 stars, and compliments to the quality and design of this book .

Not what I hoped
It's too short.
It doesn't tell you much more about the dark materials universe.
It's just a straight forward story the two main characters meet and sort out a problem and that's it.
You get a bit more of an insight into Lee Scoresby the aeronaut but nothing of Iorek Byrnison which would have made the book far more interesting.
If you want a really good Pullman adventure story read the Sally Lockhart books first.
The game at the back is good fun but I didn't get the book for that.

Beautiful and disappointing
Let's get this straight. The His Dark Materials trilogy is one of the best things in literature and wipes the floor with Harry Potter (much as I enjoy them). This is the second in a series of spin off books which are short stories using the original characters. The first, Lyra's Oxford deals with the heroine, Lyra Silvertongue. The second, this book, deals with a prequel in which we find out how the aeronaut Lee Scoresby and the bear king, Iorek Byrnison first meet each other.

The writing is crisp, dark and funny/sad, just as in the original books and the woodcuts, the game and all the additional letters etc, make this cloth bound, pocket sized book a thing of great beauty and a needful addition to any bookshelf. The characterisation is excellent, and these are two of the best characters in the trilogy to meet again.

So, why disappointing? Because it is too short. Because there has been nothing in the way of a real meaty adventure issuing forth from Pullman's pen for too long, and because I'm greedy and I want more. Pull your finger out Philip, there's a dear.