OK it's a nice little book that took about 20 minutes to read. The story would make no sense at all if you haven't read the trilogy (which I rate as brilliant storytelling for adults and children) and if you have read the Dark Materials books, it adds nothing and is very disappointing. It's difficult to see what the point is other than blatant merchandising, and it has the air of something knocked out by a staff writer in order to cash in on the great story for children and adults that preceeded it. All concerned should be ashamed of themselves!