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The Amulet of Samarkand: The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1
- By Jonathan Stroud
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Fantasy series start with an antihero protagonist.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that 12-year-old Nathaniel's personality is unusual in children's fiction. Neither good nor criminal, he's arrogant, vengeful, power-hungry, impulsive, and not at all likable. He's not a sympathetic character, though the reader does root for him to succeed in his quest for vengeance -- but he doesn't learn any lessons.
What's the story?
In an England in which wizards are the aristocracy and run the government, and ordinary people are beginning a revolt, apprentice magician Nathaniel is humiliated by a powerful government official, Lovelace, and devotes his life to revenge. Finding his master, Mr. Underwood, weak both in character and magic, he teaches himself from books, and finds in himself a level of talent that no one else suspects.
To begin his revenge, he calls up a powerful djinn, Bartimaeus, and orders him to steal the powerful amulet of Samarkand from Lovelace, and hide it in Underwood's study. But he has underestimated both the power of his opponent and the complexity of the politics involved, and he soon finds himself in far over his head, with only his captive, restive, and contemptuous djinn to protect him.
Is it any good?
This latest heir to the Potter mantle is a worthy successor, combining a rich, complex story, a delightfully acerbic voice, and an original protagonist. Among many pleasures here is a very different system of magic, detailed by the snide and chatty Bartimaeus in a series of footnotes.
Like many other Rowling wanna-bes, the author has learned that children love reading fat books, but he hasn't learned how to pace his books. Tighter editing could have produced a book 100 or so pages shorter without sacrifice. But it's a witty, fun ride nonetheless, destined to be popular and to have fans waiting eagerly for the next installment.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the use of magic in this series. How does it compare with the use of magic in the Harry Potter series? Families can also talk about the central character, Nathaniel. Do you like the fact that he's an atypical hero?
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AGE
Should Be Made Into A Movie
This is one of my favorite books ever. It is set in modern day London and gives a whole new spin on wizardry. You will love the djinni young Nathaniel summons; Bartimaeus is full of wit and humor. There are messages about the greed and power-hungry nature of the magicians, which become more pronounced in the second book. An excellent, page-turner, must-read that will keep you awake late into the night!
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AGE
Awsome.
One of my favorite books of all time I finished it in three nights IWas so into it, which is fast for me because I never have time, I suggest this to any fan of fantasy.
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AGE
Bartimaeus the Djinn -- a review by Chris, age 11
Nathaniel is a young boy, age 11, who is the apprentice of a magician. He has had a fairly smooth life after the age of six. He had intense studies and lessons for every type of education, including language, math, writing, drawing, etc. Around the age of 9 he had gone to a celebration with his master to see his master’s colleagues. During the party Nathaniel’s master showed him off to some of his superiors. They questioned him and got answers. They said his master did a bad job. Nathaniel got snooty and was abused for it by the leader of the group, Simon Lovelace. Meanwhile his master sat and watched. After this night Nathaniel sped up his education in order to get revenge. After two years Nathaniel summons a powerful djinn, Bartimaeaus. He then orders Bartimaeaus to go steal a valuable artifact from Simon Lovelace, an object that Nathaniel knew Lovelace had stolen, the Amulet of Samarkand.
This was a great book with a couple of twists in the plot. It takes place in a futuristic world where magicians rule. During the book there is narration from two points of view: one from Bartimaeus and one from a narrator. This book is intensely unnerving and suspenseful. It has some mystery and a lot of humor. During the time when Bartimaeus is telling the story he puts little footnotes in that really add to the humor of the book. Look out for those! This book has battles with demons where there is no way out by force, but only by mind. This should be a tempting target for any adventure reader and I recommend it to any one of those. I would put this on my top ten list of favorite books. Anyone who appreciates a good adventure, and has any hint of liking for magic and different variations of it, will love this book.
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AGE
*Applauds
I don't know how to word my adoration of this series. There are no words to describe its wit and humor, its excellent desciption, and even better characters. It's well paced, easy to get, and so very enjoyable. I love it. Love, love love it.
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AGE
A Suspenceful, yet Zany Trilogy for Everyone.
Bartimaeus: An arrogant, yet hilariously flippant and mouthy djinn; Nathaniel: An overconfident and overlooked magician-in-the-making. Put them together, and what do you get? You get an amazing, suspenceful, heartbreaking, funny (I could go on, but I'd only bore you!) trilogy about a boy and his servant out against their rivals.
A treasonous magician, Simon Lovelace, attempts a massacre of the great ones of the government. Nathaniel steals Lovelaces's prize posession: The Amulet of Samarkand.. And Lovelace wants it back..
This book was fantastic. Over half of the book, I was rolling around in my seat over Bartimaeus's hilarious comments and his (occasionally) sophisticated air. Nathaniel's reactions to the djinn are purely comical.
I also highly recommend the unabridged audio book production of "The Amulet of Samarkand". Simon Jones gives all the characters the personality and spark they need. "The Golem's Eye" and "Ptolomy's Gate" are also great books, and if you liked "The Amulet of Samarkand", I highly recommend them.
A "The Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand" review.
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AGE
As Long As They Don't Try To Summon A Demon
As an adult, I think this book is spot on funny and entertaining. I've reccomended it to my 14 year old daughter as she has the common sense and moral background to know that summoning demons is not a good thing to do for your mental and spiritual health.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 5, 2010
AGE
on my favorites
bartimaeus is an awesome, sarcastic demon and a great main character. he is bent to do a not-very-nice magician boy's will. he is wily and hilarious. the book is dripping with sarcasm.
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AGE
Give a hand for Stroud
Stroud's work is wonderful! A great book about magicians and spirits. Highly recommended. May need a little parent guidance, because there is a lot of fantasy violence. I praise Stroud for his work!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Jonathan Stroud |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | June 9, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 464 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
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