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| Author: Philip Pullman
Creator: John Lawrence
Publisher: David Fickling
Category: Book
Buy New: $11.59
New (13) Used (3) from $11.59
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 1465160
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 112
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0385614322
EAN: 9780385615235
ASIN: 0385614322
Publication Date: 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand New! Immediate Shipment!
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| Customer Reviews:
 A fine return to Lyra's world June 4, 2008
A prequel to the events of the His Dark Materials series, Philip Pullman's Once Upon a Time in the North tells the story of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrinson's first meeting, and how they came to be friends. While not delving at all into the mysteries or intrigues that were the heart of the rest of the His Dark Materials books, it was still a treat all the same to return to the world that Pullman created.
It is a short story (it is printed as a matching volume to Lyra's Oxford) and takes place over the course of a day or two, at most. Lee Scoresby has only had his balloon for a short time, after winning it in a hand of poker, and is still learning the ropes to flying it. He has traveled to the North to look for work, and after landing on the island of Novy Odense, is pulled into a political intrigue that he quickly discovers he wants no part of, yet his sense of honor prevails and he finds himself in the middle of a gun fight towards the end of the story, trying to help those he feels are being treated wrongly. Iorek Byrnison is also at odds with the same group, so befriends Scoresby and together they take on the enemy.
The gunfight towards the end of the book is well written, and even though I know Scoresby lives through this (as he plays a strong part in the later stories) I found myself still anxious as to the outcome of the story. I think that's a merit of Pullman's writing; that even though you know Scoresby will survive the situation, you still find yourself concerned for his well-being.
A nice edition and a good story to provide a little background to these two characters. The addition of "historically correct" documents to the book just adds to the details.
There is a board game that is included in the back of the book, which has no bearing on the story whatsoever. I just thought that I'd mention that it was there.
a good prequel May 30, 2008
Not much substance here, but a satisfying read for those who liked His Dark Materials.
 the ruby in the smoke by philip pullman May 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman is the pinnacle in young adult adventure. The pre-feminist protagonist, Sally Lockhart, is a realistic and compelling role model. The storytelling is tight and crisp, the subject matter manages to be sophisticated without pandering. Though it differs greatly from his most famous books (the Golden Compass trilogy), it is a wonderfully rendered yarn for kids a little too modern for Nancy Drew and her ilk.
It leaves me wanting more... May 25, 2008
I was introduced to "His Dark Materials" when it was first released and I have read each book multiple times. Every time I finish I always want more and Philip Pullman has given his fans small tastes of more with "Lyra's Oxford" and this.
Between the two, I find this book to be more appealing and more fun to read. We didn't get enough of Lee Scornsby in the trilogy and it is nice to learn a little more about him. Overall, this book takes a few hours to read and throws you back into the world of "His Dark Materials". It is a must have for anyone that loves the original trilogy.
and the great adventure continues May 12, 2008
Part of the genius of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is that, while the trilogy may have been marketed to "young readers," it easily moved beyond that category and into the realm of "young readers of all ages." I'm sure children or young adults enjoy the adventures he imagines, but I'm in my sixth decade, and I believe the stories of Lyra and Will and Lee and Iorek and all the rest are among the finest literature of our time.
"Once Upon a Time in the North" is a worthy addition to the great saga, as we learn a lot about the young Lee Scoresby and how he became the man who would later be a major figure in Lyra's quest. When I turned the last page of this story, it was such a bittersweet moment, knowing what is to come.
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