In an alternate magical universe where magicians rule over London, a young apprentice named Nathaniel seeks revenge on a rival magician by summoning a powerful djinn named Bartimaeus. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives between Nathaniel and Bartimaeus, showcasing their dynamic relationship and the complex political intrigue they become entangled in. The writing style incorporates footnotes and humorous asides, adding depth and entertainment to the narrative, while exploring themes of ambition, revenge, and the consequences of wielding power in a cutthroat magical world.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains themes of violence, conflict, and possible references to slavery in the context of demon summoning, making it suitable for more mature teenage readers where content may be of concern.
From The Publisher:
Presenting a thrilling new voice in children's literature-a witty, gripping adventure story featuring a boy and his not-so-tame djinni.
Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he masters one of the toughest spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, blackmail, and revolt.
Set in a modern-day London spiced with magicians and mayhem, this extraordinary, funny, pitch-perfect thriller will dazzle the myriad fans of Artemis Fowl and the His Dark Materials trilogy. And with the rights sold in more than a dozen countries, and a major motion picture in the works, the Bartimaeus trilogy is on the fast track to becoming a classic.
Ratings (87)
Incredible (24) | |
Loved It (29) | |
Liked It (14) | |
It Was OK (10) | |
Did Not Like (7) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (169):
Read It (91) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (48) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (24) |
7 comment(s)
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Writing: 9
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 9
Enjoyment:9
Average 9 = 5 Stars
I didn't really like either of the protagonists, and I need to like at least some of the people to like a book. I'm curious where the overarching plot arc is going, but not especially eager to read the next book.
Snarky and very fun! Well worth the read.
Story was good, I liked Bartinaeus more than I liked Nathaniel. The footnotes I felt compelled to read them but I dont think they added the story
I was dreading rereading
The Amulet of Samarkand because I was worried the book wasn't as good as my sixteen-year-old and eighteen-year-old self thought. Thankfully, the book is still good.
The Amulet of Samarkand is basically Harry Potter (sorry to keep referencing the franchise, but it has quite the cultural impact) if the wizarding world was more "realistic" instead of a neoliberal fantasy.
Unlike Harry Potter, there aren't clear cut good guys and bad guys. Honestly, most of the characters are leaning toward the bad side. Nathaniel, the MC, isn't the chosen one, and he's somewhat morally ambigious. He's proud to the point of recklessness (Ged from
A Wizard of Earthsea, anyone?). Magicians are unapologetically portrayed as the exploiters and oppressors—commoners (non-magicians) are segregated and not part of the government, magicians have no real power outside of the exploitation of magical entities, and magicians themselves routinely backstab each other in order to scrabble up higher the government hierarchy.
I honestly didn't find the majority of the book to be irresistibly riveting, but that might be because I've already read the book twice before. The opening scene of the summoning of Bartimaeus will always be iconic in my mind. It remains to be seen if I will keep the
The Amulet of Samarkand on my favorites shelf when I get around to rereading the other two books in the trilogy as I have a strong suspicion that the sequels are actually
better than the first book.
the characters were so annoying, i hated it
Fun throughout the whole book! Wouldn't mind reading it again. It was darkly funny and entertaining.
What can you read after
The Amulet of Samarkand?
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