The third novel in the 'His Dark Materials' series. Across parallel worlds, the forces of heaven and earth are poised for an epic battle! The mighty Lord Asriel is gathering an army to rebel against the Overlord himself. To achieve victory, he needs Lyra and her friend Will, armed with a magical knife. Lord Asriel sends his spies—the nimble Gallivespines—to search for them. Meanwhile, Lyra and Will embark on their most perilous journey yet, into the dark and icy land of the dead, from which no soul has ever found its way. How long can they survive without their daemons, and will they be able to escape? After all, the fate of all humanity and all worlds depends on them alone!