I really enjoyed his book. It is refreshing to have an MC that doesn't feel the need to save everyone, and I like how they have inner turmoil a lot. In autumn fall school I feel like a lot of the characters are going to be disposed of very quickly. You do focus on the main characters (I'd say Jaime, Lyra, max and brie) but characters such as Richard, Tory and the cat girl are going to be thrown away or a running gig. Like it seems that Richard could be just a pervet, no character development, although it is unlikely. Whilst girl I feel is very important, yet will still be a running gig. I could be completely wrong here, so sorry if I am.