REVIEW: The Ruby in the Smoke (Philip Pullman)

Book: The Ruby in the Smoke

Author: Philip Pullman

My rating: 3/5.

Premise: Sally Lockhart is living quietly in London when she hears news of her father's tragic death at sea - and receives the ominous warning he left her before he died. Soon Sally is plunged into a terrifying mystery in the heart of Victorian London taking her from the grimy streets of the East End to a Maharajah's Indian palace and the decadent opium dens of China. Unraveling the mystery will lead her into a world of danger and excitement and to a priceless, blood-soaked jewel.

I first read this book over 10 years ago, so I couldn't remember what it was about and what happened. This was a good adventure, with lots of mystery and danger. I'm a sucker for historical fiction and, in particular, I liked how Sally doesn't conform to Victorian standards - rather than sewing and being a hostess, she's a quick business woman. Like most other YA books I struggle a bit with the fact Sally is only 16 (it just feels so young!). I also liked how there was a wide variety of characters in the book: a loyal "street urchin" figure, a pair of artistic siblings, an ex-boxer turned vicar and a scorned old crone. This is definitely a good book for both teens and adults!