The Subtle Knife

The action definitely picks up in part 2 of the Dark Materials, as Lyra and Pan find a boy named Will who comes from another version of Earth where people don't have daemon companions. Together, Will and Lyra learn how to move between different dimensions, and eventually find the Subtle Knife, a tool so finely crafted that it can cut through anything, including the barriers between worlds and even through the substance of God itself. As Lyra's father is attempting to wage war on God (because he finds the concept immoral), this is a very important weapon.[return]It's a very bold story to tell, and definitely not the type of thing you normally see in children's literature. The story moves along at a fast clip, as well, that prevents the story from getting too ‘heady'.