Author:Philip Pullman,Ray Fearon,Emma Fielding,Peter Marinker,Jack Klaff,Full Cast
A breathtaking epic, the award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy spans a multitude of worlds. The second instalment, The Subtle Knife, introduces Will Parry – a young boy in search of his long-lost explorer father. Will’s discovery of an extraordinary ‘window in the air’ near the Oxford ring road leads him out of our world and into the strange and unsettling Cittàgazze. There he meets Lyra, a girl who is herself searching for something: the secret of the mystical substance Dust. Moving back and forth through the portal, Will and Lyra join forces in their quest. As they make allies and enemies along the way, they also learn of the subtle knife. An object which many would kill to possess, the knife has incredible powers, and Will finds himself reluctantly in a fight for its possession. Ray Fearon, Emma Fielding, Peter Marinker and Jack Klaff are amongst the cast in this gripping dramatisation.
I'm delighted that His Dark Materials is being done on the radio. I've always loved radio drama – it can move from the epic to the intimate in a moment. The sweep of the whole thing seems to have been very well maintained; and the cast is great, especially the two leads, Lulu and Daniel. The makers have used all the resources of my favourite medium to create a vivid and atmospheric production.
—— Philip Pullman , BBC press releaseFans of Pullman's original book will love this audio drama which helps to bring the characters vividly to life.
—— Pete Boomer , http://www.sci-fi-online.comBurningham's story taps into the limitless realm of a child's imagination. It's a classic tale from one of the best around
—— Damian Kelleher , Metro LifeThe story has a strong appeal because it is a fantasy that is true to reality: everyone has a kind of magic bed
—— Jane Doonan , TESAn ideal showcast for what Burningham does best: blending domestic detail with expressionistic emotion and scale
—— Sally Williams , IndependentAlexis Deacon is an outstanding young artist whose illustrations give
extraordinary depth and meaning to a very simple story
This is an action-packed fantasy adventure that will appeal to both adults and younger readers.
—— Colchester Evening GazetteExciting tale.
—— Junior News and MailFrom the very first sentence we are plunged into a dangerous fantasy world.
—— Amanda Craig , The Independent on SundayTeenagers will love Eragon...thrills, spills and danger...Who could resist?
—— Kati Nicholl , The Daily ExpressPaolini's dragon epic shows he's a breath of hot air.
—— Daily EchoMentions promotional event at the Cheltenham Festival
—— Publishing NewsArticle about the success of the book which is number 1 in the US charts
—— The BooksellerShort review
—— South Wales Evening PostIncluded in Cheltenham Festival round-up of the first week: "author of the much-loved fantasy adventure Eragon
—— The TimesEragon dabbles in magic - as does the author, as this book is wonderful...a real page-turner, the best adventure tale you'll ever read.
—— Scottish Sunday HeraldInterview with Christopher Paolini
—— The TimesSophisticated...a plot following Eragon's cousin is compelling.
—— DreamwatchPaolini writes beautifully of another world full of magic. This second of a trilogy is a must for fantasy fans.
—— Aberdeen Evening ExpressWith Eldest [Paolini's] writing is far more assured...there's no denying Paolini knows how to tell a story.
—— Manx IndependentIf you want a book filled to the brim with adventures, magic, fighting and a fiendishly twisty story, pick Eragon and Eldest and I guarantee it will be hard to resist the lure of these titles.
—— Books for KeepsPuts its teenage author firmly on the best-seller lists.
—— Lowestoft JournalThe scenes and characters were described so well I could create a picture in my head of everything - reader review (aged 12).
—— Irish ExaminerA most stunning piece of literature.
—— InisFluent and action-filled.
—— TelegraphPaolini has matured as a writer, but lost none of the imagination that makes this series such compulsive reading.
—— Cambridge Evening NewsBetter than the Harry Potter books... I can't wait for the next one.
—— Carlisle News & StarOlder neophytes of the genre will devour this with relish
—— Inis magazineAn impressive achivement by such a young writer.
—— School LibrarianI strongly recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who appreciates loyalty, love, friendship and bravery. Uncommonly brilliant.
—— Cork Evening EchoThis is a fantastic book
—— Joseph Wilde, Arnold School , Teen Titles Issue 39