Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman

Once Upon A Time In The North is a prequel to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The story is set many years before Lyra’s birth and follows the young Lee Scoresby as he pilots his recently won hot-air balloon to the Arctic. There, he becomes embroiled in a deadly confrontation between the government, an oil baron, a crooked politician, a ship’s captain, and a hired killer from Lee’s past.

Even though the novella is only 100 pages long, Pullman manages to work in underlying themes concerning corruption, power, and lies – forces exerted by powerful corporate organizations over the political and legal landscape.

What I Liked

The His Dark Materials series, along with Chronicles of Narnia, are my absolute favorite children’s novels. I cannot wait to read them to my kids. It’s an incredible world with amazing characters. This novella was a fun and worthwhile addition to the original trilogy.

What I Did Not Like

Nothing!

Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman

$2.36

In Once Upon A Time In The North, Philip Pullman takes us back before Lyra's story, introducing the young Lee Scoresby as he navigates a dangerous world in his hot-air balloon. The adventure pits him against a mix of shady characters, highlighting themes of corruption and power, all packed into just 100 pages. I’ve always loved the His Dark Materials series, and this novella feels like a fantastic addition. Honestly, I can't think of anything I didn’t like about it—it's a fun read that deepens the already rich universe Pullman has created.

Pros:

• Engaging prequel to a beloved series
• Strong themes of corruption and power
• Fun addition to the original trilogy

Cons:

• Nothing!

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01/14/2025 08:04 pm GMT