"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures."--(starred review), "Publishers Weekly " "From the Hardcover edition."

Philip Pullman has won many distinguished prizes, including the Carnegie Medal for "The Golden Compass" (and the reader-voted "Carnegie of Carnegies" for the best children's book of the past seventy years); the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year Award for "The Amber Spyglass"; a Booker Prize long-list nomination ("The Amber Spyglass"); Parents' Choice Gold Awards ("The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass"); and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, in honor of his body of work. In 2004, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Philip Pullman is the author of many books for young readers, including two volumes related to the His Dark Materials trilogy: "Lyra's Oxford" and "Once Upon a Time in the North." He lives in Oxford, England. To learn more, please visit www.philip-pullman.com and www.hisdarkmaterials.com.