In "The Ruby in the Smoke," Sally Lockhart, a recently orphaned 16-year-old, finds herself entangled in a complex mystery involving her father's death, a stolen ruby, opium dens, and sinister characters in Victorian London. As Sally navigates through the dark and dangerous alleys of the city, she must use her intelligence and courage to unravel the secrets hidden behind the smoke-filled opium dens and solve the mystery before it's too late. Pullman weaves a gripping tale filled with intrigue, betrayal, and treasure, drawing readers into a world of murder and suspense through vivid descriptions and compelling characters.
Sally Lockhart emerges as a strong and independent protagonist, defying societal expectations and facing off against villains while showcasing her cleverness and charm. The narrative unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Sally and her companions delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding her father's past and the enigmatic ruby. Pullman's skillful storytelling captures the essence of Victorian England, blending elements of adventure, danger, and dark secrets to create a captivating young adult mystery that appeals to readers of all ages.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of drug use, murder, and historical portrayals of violence.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance that develops gradually within the characters' interactions.
From The Publisher:
"BEWARE THE SEVEN blessings . . . " When she first utters these words, 16-year-old Sally Lockhart doesn't know their meaning. But when an employee of her late father hears them, he dies of fear. Thus begins Sally's terrifying journey into the seamy underworld of Victorian London, in search of clues to her father's mysterious death.
Ratings (3)
Loved It (2) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (10):
Read It (5) | |
Want To Read (5) |
1 comment(s)
I really enjoyed this. It was a straightforward mystery with a great cast of characters. I loved Sally. She reminded me a lot of Claire Trevelyan from
Magnificient Devices. She's smart and capable if not a little unsure of herself, but she's determined and creative enough to solve her own problems. I loved all the characters - they were all smart and kind and cheeky. Jim was my favourite, although Rosa was a pretty close second. The mystery was interesting and a little spooky with the whole opium element. There was lots of intrigue and I loved Jim going off on his own
(he solves the riddle and goes and gets the ruby from the pub)
to execute plans inspired by his Penny Dreadfuls. For all Sally is the main character, she's not the one who really solves the mystery. Rather it instead unfolds with both the villains and the heroes portraying their part in the story.
Fantastic read. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
What can you read after
The Ruby in the Smoke?
About the Author:
PHILIP PULLMAN is one of the most acclaimed writers working today. He is best known for the His Dark Materials trilogy, which has been named one of the top 100 books of all time by Newsweek and one of the all-time greatest novels by Entertainment Weekly. Pullman was knighted for his services to literature in the 2019 New Years Honours.
The Book of Dust, Pullman's eagerly anticipated return to the world of His Dark Materials, will also be a book in three parts. It began with La Belle Sauvage and continues with The Secret Commonwealth.
Philip Pullman is the author of many other beloved novels. For younger readers: I Was a Rat!, Count Karlstein, Two Crafty Criminals!, Spring-Heeled Jack, and The Scarecrow and His Servant. For older readers: the Sally Lockhart quartet (The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, and The Tin Princess), The White Mercedes, and The Broken Bridge. He has written a magnificent collection, Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, and his essays and lectures on writing and storytelling have been gathered in a volume called Dæmon Voices: On Stories and Storytelling.
Philip Pullman lives in Oxford, England.
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