The+Ruby+in+the+Smoke+(AEM)

review by Ann Magne
 * //The Ruby in the Smoke//**, Philip Pullman

This book is set in London during the year 1872. The main character is Sally Lockhart. A sixteen year old girl who has no dad, and is living with her father's distant relative Mrs. Rees. Another character that is important to the book is Fredrick, a photographer. He helps Sally escape evil people and stay safe. Mrs. Holland is another character important to the book, she is definitely not on Sally's side. She is trying to get to a precious ruby that holds murder and blood. Sally is also trying to get to the ruby. Along with that, she is trying to unlock the mystery to her father's death. Sally can never be sure who to trust. There are people that can seem as though they are on her side, but then they turn out trying to hurt her. Sally also had trouble with the drug Opium. It causes her to get knocked out and have a horrible nightmare, the same one every time. I can't say who will get to the ruby, if someone/people die, or who killed Mr. Lockhart. You will just have to read the book to find out.

I would recommend this book. I am not usually a fan of scary/action books. But this is the kind of book that when you start reading, the rest of the world doesn't matter, just the book. This is also one of those books where it is hard to predict what will happen! I kept trying to figure out what would happen, but never succeeded. This book, has happy moments, sad moments and scary moments, but it will NEVER bore you. The author also did a good job describing the characters. I wasn't confused when new characters would come in. I knew who they were and what impact they have on the story.