The Amulet of Samarkand
- by Jonathan Stroud
- (Bartimaeus Trilogy #1)
My rating: ★★★★
- ISBN: 9780786818594
- Publisher: Hyperion
- Date of publication: September 30, 2003
- Age: Grades 5 and up
- Genre: Fantasy
- Themes: demons, magicians, London
- Sold to the government at the age of 5, Nathaniel is an apprentice magician. Since powerful magicians are who rule Britain and its empire, it's an honor. But with a condescending master and cruel tormentor, Nathaniel speeds up his education and summons the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning and controlling are two very different things. While trying to gain revenge over another particular cruel magician by stealing the Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself in deeper trouble. Power struggles, espionage, betrayals, and other such mayhem are only the beginning. Can Nathaniel find a way to be the hero? Even with a snarky djinni trying to break his every command?
- I must admit, the concept behind the story is a little weird. See, magicians aren't really magicians: all they can do is summon demons to do the magic for them. Which makes the whole book seem rather devilish... However, Bartimaeus is one the best-written characters I've ever read. The story on a whole was definitely fantastic.
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