The story in this volume is nearly twice as long as that in Lyra's Oxford, which is nice. And what's better: it's about probably my two favorite supporting characters in the trilogy, Lee Scorseby the Texan aeronaut and Iorek Byrnison the armored bear! Despite being long-standing friends in the trilogy, they actually don't have all that much interaction, so it's nice to see how they came to be acquainted, which involved political conspiracies and tense shoot-outs, of course. It's a treat to revisit both of these characters; I love good double-acts, and these two are among the best. This is an excellent little addition to the His Dark Materials saga, and I really hope that we get more prequel adventures featuring these two someday. The included boardgame is a charming piece of fun, too.

A nice complement to His Dark Materials, but not as rewarding to read. It gives a bit of back story of Lee Scoresby, its nice to be back in the universe again but its not really a 'must read'. - Good stocking filler though, especially as this edition is beautiful, fabric covered hardback with wonderful engravings. ( )

How the bear Iorek Byrnison met with Lee Scoresby the aeronaut. Pre-Lyra. Wonderful storytelling! And with a free boardgame at the back![You'll know who I mean if you've read His Dark Materials Trilogy or watched the movie.] ( )

This short novella about the meeting of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrinson is a nice adjunct to the rest of His Dark Materials, but is certainly much lighter in tone and content. It also really only makes sense if you've read the trilogy. ( )

It was a pleasure to return to the world of Dark Materials, and I enjoyed the story okay, but it was one of those that, in retrospect, was pretty light (as in: no substance). I've come to expect a little more from Pullman. Hope he doesn't keep pawning off little airy short stories as real books. (Too harsh?) ( )

It was a pleasure to return to the world of Dark Materials, and I enjoyed the story okay, but it was one of those that, in retrospect, was pretty light (as in: no substance). I've come to expect a little more from Pullman. Hope he doesn't keep pawning off little airy short stories as real books. (Too harsh?) ( )

It was a pleasure to return to the world of Dark Materials, and I enjoyed the story okay, but it was one of those that, in retrospect, was pretty light (as in: no substance). I've come to expect a little more from Pullman. Hope he doesn't keep pawning off little airy short stories as real books. (Too harsh?) ( )

Much like Lyra’s Oxford, this is a book that is wonderful as a companion novel, but wouldn’t stand well on its own. It is a fun, quick read with some action and drama peppered throughout, but mostly it’s a ‘guilty pleasure’ of sorts for fans of the His Dark Materials trilogy to get more about the world and the characters that Pullman so deftly created. Also, one of the best aspects to this book is the binding and that it comes with a cool little card game that Pullman invented. It’s truly more of a collector’s item that just a book, which makes it cool to own.-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com ( )

Another ancillary of Pullman's His Dark Materials, Once Upon a Time in the North is a short story featuring some of the character that fans of His Dark Materials know and love. ( )

For fans of Philip Pullman and his Dark Material Triology this companion book tells of how Lee Scorsby and Iorek meet. ( )

Merideth says: I love the Lee Scoresby character so much, this book would have had to suck mightily for me not to embrace it.

It doesn't suck. I don't know if it could stand alone without the Dark Materials trilogy behind it, but it is an engaging and quick read for those who are interested in further exploring Lyra's world. (cross-posted from MeriJenBen) ( )

This was a longer story than Lyra's Oxford, which I thought was a good thing--although I'm still glad that it's not any more than a short little companion piece. The story is of the first meeting of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison, though it focuses more on Lee. It's fun to read about Lee when he was young--the aeronaut as a youth was reckless, of course; and he is just as brave and intelligent if less perceptive and scrupulous as when we meet him later in The Golden Compass. It's good to get another story of him, as he was one of my favorite supporting characters in the trilogy.

Like Lyra's Oxford, this also came with bits of extras thrown in--the best of which is an actual board game, folded up in a pocket in the book's cover! I will have to play Peril of the Pole at some point, although due to the fragile paper material of the board I can't imagine it will get much play. (I love the rules: "This game is for four to six players and their daemons... Normal game courtesies apply and players may only consult with their daemons.") ( )

A small book containing one short story plus some supporting documentation. Set decades before the events of "Northern Lights", it tells of the first meeting between Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison, at an arctic trading-post, where they join forces to help a sea captain retrieve his cargo from the warehouses of a crooked company.

It comes with a board game called "Peril of the Pole", in which the player's aim is to be the last player left on the board, since anyone who reaches the North Pole is swept away to their doom down the massive hole that leads to the centre of the earth.

Probably not worth reading unless you have already read and enjoyed "His Dark Materials". ( )

The story of the meeting and friendship that formed from that meeting of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison, misunderstanding happens and the two have to help keep justice going. It's an interesting and touching short story with some fine engravings and illustations. This also includes a game. ( )

A novella set in the world of Pullman’s great trilogy His Dark Materials, starring Lee Scoresby, the Texas aeronaut, in his younger days. The story involves Scoresby settling his balloon in an Arctic town, picking through the local politics and personalities, and deciding which side deserves his help. Though set in the far north, this resembles a rousing, action-packed western, albeit a western with talking bears and rabbits. Recommended for all fans of the trilogy, and pretty much incomprehensible to anyone else. ( )

Philip Pullman has pulled off another great addition to the Dark Materials collection with "Once Upon A Time In The North". I think he listened to his fans when he brought out "Lyra's Oxford" when they complained at its short skimpy length (49 pages). This one is 96 pages (and a few more with illustrations). There is also a gameboard and game invented by Pullman. So when reading this, I didn't feel so ripped off for my money. There is bulk in this book and a REALLY good exciting story.

This book is solely about Lee Scoresby and his hot air balloon (although Iorek Byrnison comes in later). Scoresby flies into the cold lonely island of Novy Odense looking for work and flies right into a political mayoral campaign between the incumbent mayor (who is weak and losing) and a strong challenger, Ivan Poliakov, who is ruthless, criminal, immoral and against bears (which earns him the wrath of Iorek Byrnison). It doesn't help that Poliakov has hired a convicted killer as his bodyguard, someone who has tried to kill Scoresby before.

Scoresby subsequently decides to help a boat captain who is being held to ransom by Poliakov and in the process sets off a gun battle right in the harbor. Byrnison decides to help and soon all hell breaks loose. ( )

This is another little companion to Pullman's His Dark Materials, much like Lyra's Oxford. It's essentially a single but significant episode in the life of Lee Scoresby and his daemon Hester. For its length, I thought the politics were a little dense, but Lee and Hester are such fun characters, and I enjoyed "hearing" Kathy Bates' voice as Hester as I read, due to the "Golden Compass" movie. This book is also a lovely little object to hold, with its quality cloth cover, pull-out board game tucked in a pocket inside the back cover, and fun little facsimile snippets sprinkled throughout the text. ( )

Lovely little companion book to 'His Dark Materials' series of books which details how Lee Scoresby, and his daemon Hester, first encountered the great bear, Iorek Byrnison. Pullman is a master storyteller. My only criticism is that I wanted more. ( )

Another short novella set in the world of His Dark Materials. The story tells of how aeronaut Lee Scorsby meets armoured bear Iorek Byrnison. Lee is a young man of 24 when he lands his balloon at Novy Odense with no money and no job. He tries to find work and refils his stocks, but the locals are in the middle of an election campaign and are more interested in getting on the side of the favourite to win, Poliakov. He is working closely with an oil company and their main policy to win the vote is to rid the land of the armoured bears.

The bears are seen as a nusience. They spend all their time drinking and are no longer the majestic beasts they once were. They are not even allowed to wear their armour in the town. Lee takes an immediate dislike to Poliakov when he is introduced to an associate of his, a man Lee knows by a different name from a different town. He manages to get himself in all kinds of scrapes and trouble with the folk of the town that aren't really his business.

A short and fun edition to the series. I love Hester (Lee's rabbit daemon who turns out to be an Arctic hare) and Lee and it was an interesting introduction to Iorek. There are a couple of letters from Lyra at the end to a tutor making out the novella is part of her dissertation which was a nice touch. There is also a game caleld Peril at the Pole where the object is to keep your balloon in the air longer than the other players. ( )

I will gladly take whatever sips of narrative Pullman wishes to give us from the "His Dark Materials" worlds, including this delightful if inconsequential story of a young Lee Scoresby learning to pilot his balloon and meeting Iorek. ( )

short and sweet. It was nice to have an adventure with Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison again. ( )

In another short novella, Philip Pullman brings readers back to the world of Lyra Belaqua, this time to Lee Scorseby’s first meeting with the great armored bear Iorek Byrnison. ( )

As ever Pullman’s writing is sublime, intelligent and could never be accused to talking down this his young adult audience, and this is a great if brief addition to the the world.

Read my full review at:
http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2008/... ( )

A prequel of sorts, explaining how Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison met when they were much younger, before the days of The Golden Compass. Entertaining and great narration as usual but too short to be as engaging as the rest of the series. ( )

I always enjoy revisiting the world of Pullman's His Dark Materials. It's such a richly imagined place, and the idea of the daemons is so compelling. You also can't help but fall for the characters who, though flawed, are heartfelt people at the core, and always stand up for what's right. I felt drawn to Lee Scoresby, Hester, and Iorek Byrnison in the trilogy, and this little tidbit about how they met was very satisfying. I also enjoyed the "extras," like in Lyra's Oxford, although the board game seems a bit odd - though maybe I'd like it if I actually played it.

I can't help but think this is a very mature chidren's book, what with the adult characters and situations, as well as the aeronautical and political details. It seems like a book for Pullman fans who have grown up since HDM came out.