Sep 03, 2022kach0w rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Amulet of Samarkand is the first book in the Bartimaeus Sequence. It takes place in a world where in the 20th century, Britain still has colonies and is the ruling force of the globe. This world is so different compared to ours because…
A hilarious story about a 12-year old apprentice magician who lives in a version of Britain ruled by powerful magicians. Nathaniel is training under a cruel and cold master who does nothing to defend him when he’s publicly humiliated. He…
Aug 21, 2021AMB_4 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
My daughter picked this one up on a whim off a library shelf. I've seen it in previous cover incarnations, and it didn't appeal, but ...she's driving the bus. She read it first and said it was good, so I finally got around to reading it --…
Aug 11, 2021rixonkj rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is excellent. Great for adult readers of fantasy as well as kids--although the protagonist is 12, the politics of the book are subtle and complex. I've been itching for some fantasy that confronts the problem of…
Feb 16, 2021whilom72 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Another excellent series by Jonathan Stroud. You can't help rooting for Bartimaeus, but you're also pulling for Nathaniel, too. Lots of twists and turns along the way. Also excellent in audiobook.
Around the world, there has been a major change in power. The up-and-coming British empire, and its premier magician, William Gladstone, have just crushed the Czechs to become the dominant power. 150 years later, the British magicians…
Mar 15, 2020PimaLib_ChristineR rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
How have I never heard of this book before?!?! This, like the Harry Potter series, is a "children's book" only because of the age of one of the protagonists, Nathaniel. Since our djinni protagonist, Bartimaeus, is about 5,000 years old,…
Aug 19, 2018red_penguin_189 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book, despite being the first in a trilogy, stands on its own as an incredible feat of world-building and character development. The other two are pretty good, but I think they suffer from the fact that this book is (and it's very…
Liz_the_Librarian
Jul 05, 2017Liz_the_Librarian rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The Bartimaeus Trilogy is a fantastic series with a beautiful blend of humor and drama. The world it builds is unique and fun, and the way it's written is a nice fresh take: One half first unreliable first person, one half omniscient third…
Jul 03, 2017Beatricksy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, fast paced, really a terrifically fun read, but also somehow distracted. Partly because it couldn't decide if it was a first or third person book, partly because it blitzed between perspectives without really letting the reader…
Nov 06, 2015kannans1983 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is a interesting book. If you like some of the initial harry potter series books, you would like this one. Its fast paced. One very unique thing I noticed about this book was its central character. It switches between the magicians…
Jan 22, 2014mwong rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Best book out of the trilogy. It's possible to just read this one and not the rest of the trilogy because you can either leave the ending as is or read the rest of the books, which are good also. Bartimaeus is my favorite character. I love…
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mattia
Jul 07, 2013mattia rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Not my style:-(. I think the plot is difficult to follow at times. I like books such as percy jackson because there is much more adventure and mystery
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Lexicon_
Sep 01, 2012Lexicon_ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is such a treat! Stroud provides intricate detail while maintaing a steady pace - you won't want to put this book down!
Bartimeaus has the perfect balance of humour and arrogance so that he does not seem overbearing, while…
Aug 04, 2011Cindella rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A great, interresting, and fun book. The plot is well written with lots of imagination and uses humour throughout. I really enjoyed the unravelling of the plot and the writing style with the different POVs.
Apr 30, 2011Definitely_Not_Me rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
the Bartimaeus trilogy is one of the best works of fantasy ever written, Stroud take the time to fully imagine and describe a fictional alternate history. The trilogy has an excelent plot, and weves together thew POVs of all three of the…
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The Amulet of Samarkand