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The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 1)
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
EAN: 9780394895895
ISBN: 0394895894
Label: Laurel Leaf
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 230
Publication Date: November 12, 1988
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: November 12, 1988
Studio: Laurel Leaf
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Editorial Review:
"Her name was Sally Lockhart; and within fifteen minutes, she was going to kill a man." Philip Pullman begins his Sally Lockhart trilogy with a bang in The Ruby in the Smoke--a fast-paced, finely crafted thriller set in a rogue- and scalawag-ridden Victorian London. His 16-year-old heroine has no time for the usual trials of adolescence: her father has been murdered, and she needs to find out how and why. But everywhere she turns, she encounters new scoundrels and secrets. Why do the mere words "seven blessings" cause one man to keel over and die at their utterance? Who has possession of the rare, stolen ruby? And what does the opium trade have to do with it?
As our determined and intelligent sleuth sets her mind to unraveling these dark mysteries, she learns how embroiled she is in the whole affair. As riveting and witty as the sensational "penny dreadfuls" of Victorian England (but thousands of times better written), Pullman's trilogy (including The Shadow in the North and The Tiger in the Well) will have readers on the edges of their seats. Ruby is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. (Ages 12 and older) --Karin Snelson
In search of clues to the mystery of her father's death, 16-year-old Sally Lockhart ventures into the shadowy underworld of Victorian London. Pursued by villains at every turn, the intrepid Sally finally uncovers two dark mysteries--and realizes that she herself is the key to both."In Dickensian fashion, Pullman tells the story of 16-year-old Sally Lockhart, who becomes involved in a deadly web of events as she searches for a mysterious ruby. The novel is a page turner, peopled with despicable hags, forthright heroes, and children living on the underbelly of 19th-century London. The story's events are exciting, with involved plotting. Settings and characterizations are exquisitely drawn. The first entry in a planned trilogy."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A Different Face of Philip Pullman
A strange facade of Philip Pullman's writing is displayed within the pages of the novel, The Ruby in the Smoke. The style of writing is very different from most others, and this story is a very different branch form the Dark Materials. The Ruby in the smoke is a historical fiction, with no fantasy. Yet it was brilliant.
Sally was a great, and well put together, character. She was very real, and easy to follow. The plot, two mysteries entwined with each other, was interesting, and fit ... Read More
Rating:  - Go Sally, Go!
A terrific example of a "Kid Power" book. A spunky 16 year old herione takes on a faceless enemy and a host of dangerous characters and, with the help of a troupe of intrepid friends, prevails. Well written, good use of English language. Informative regarding British economy and society in Victorian times. For that reason, rather dark. No objectionable language or references to sexual behavior, but does include murder and mayhem. Highly recommended as a book that young and old can read and talk ... Read More
Rating:  - Not bad but not totally satisfying.
At 230 pages The Ruby in the Smoke is a quick read. The story flows evenly, the characters are too quickly developed though. Something's missing. The ending ties everything together, however, not in a manner that satisfies - too quickly done. A good read for teens with everything including an interesting plot - what's missing is depth.
Rating: - Great reading
Love the way Sally is protrayed and then the way she gets into trouble and then out.
Rating:  - Great, if you like a threadbare, confused, hodgepodge plot
... and cliche, cardboard characters, all trotted out with predictable language. Talk about disappointment. Pullman could have done so much better. Instead he gives us an irritatingly careless bit of Victorian Penny-Dreadful parody, and far from being "good writing," it's a parody (or "travesty" might be a better word) of good writing.
The worst thing about it is the sloppy plot, which is something Pullman must have dashed off in the space of 2 rainy weekends on a pay-per-word basis because ... Read More
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