Title: Had potential, but not that great
Product review: Okay, I know I'm going to injure the sensibilities of hardcore Pullman fans with this review, but this is the first book of his that I've read, so perhaps that can explain my opinion. Honestly, I didn't find the book that great. The Victorian setting and detailed background (what with the opium trade and photography shop)are quite original for a children's novel, but other than that, the novel didn't strike me as particularly impressive. The characters aren't strongly delineated and the plot moves a bit too quickly (though that's normally a good point). I felt the author should have spent more time with characterization, so that the surprise ending (yup, there's a surprise) has more impact on the reader.
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