It is always great to return to Pullman's magical and colourful world we were introduced to in HDM trilogy.
The second volume of The Book of Dust returns to familiar grounds, Lyra and Pantalaimon against the magisterium, aletheiometers, dust and a mystery that grows with every page.
However, Lyra is an adult now (a young one admittedly) and has to face adult-life problems. Gone are the convictions and certainties of her younger self and the clear-cut paths.
The whole book feels more mature and intriguing and the plot seems thicker. Lyra and Pantalaimon's thoughts and arguments are definitely more profound and although death has always been present in this world, in this book it feels more sinister. Not only allegories but also modern, real-world, problems are abundant in this book making the readers think about what's happening around them and how things connect to each other.
All in all it is a great, well-written novel that will satisfy every fan of the world of HDM. Can't wait for the next book (and yes it ends in a cliff-hanger familiar to readers of the first trilogy)!