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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
A good solid basic magic story, for a not-quite-adult audience.
I liked the way Nathaniel wasn't very likable, as one might expect from a talented kid who's been repressed. And I enjoyed Bartimaeus's smartass style; you might not.
I also liked the way the magicians were not at all noble, most being just greedy with a few being just nasty. And it's a nice change to see an apprentice with a not-very-good wizard.
The plot's believable enough. There's a bit of Vlad Taltos in Bartimaeus, as he keeps figuring out a way to get out of trouble.
I liked the way Nathaniel wasn't very likable, as one might expect from a talented kid who's been repressed. And I enjoyed Bartimaeus's smartass style; you might not.
I also liked the way the magicians were not at all noble, most being just greedy with a few being just nasty. And it's a nice change to see an apprentice with a not-very-good wizard.
The plot's believable enough. There's a bit of Vlad Taltos in Bartimaeus, as he keeps figuring out a way to get out of trouble.
saramedici's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
oldcrow1111's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of my favorite series in middle/early high school. I love the political intrigue and clever characters, especially Bartimaeus. It was also quite darker and oddly less youthful than I recall (which is a good thing!). I am a little more critical now, giving the book 4/4.5 stars rather than 5, but still consider these nostalgic favorites.
maxsebastian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Jonathan Stroud's The Amulet of Samarkand pairs an incredible character with a fascinating world to form a fantastic young adult novel.
While the English boy whisked away from home to learn magic is a staple of early 2000s young adult fiction, Stroud's alternate reality version of our world is surprisingly special, feeling more like His Dark Materials than Harry Potter. In his Britain, magicians lead publicly through the power vested in them by summoning demons. Demons and magicians are a global phenomenon with one character repeatedly referencing time he spent as a servant to Ptolemy, building a wall in ancient Prague, and more.
Beyond the world, the characters in this universe, particularly the djinn Bartimaeus, are special. In this book, Stroud flips between a third person narration and a first person one. While that choice might seem jarring, it actually works beautifully because his perspective characters are so different. While Bartimaeus is a sarcastic ancient magical entity who wants nothing more than to cause a little bit of chaos, Nathaniel is a young naive magician driven primarily by a need to overcome embarrassment and prove himself worthy. While I found Bartimaeus to be far more engaging, Nathaniel does shine, especially towards the end of the book. In audiobook form, Simon Jones's narration for Bartemaeus is particularly memorable.
While the plot of the story is a bit basic, it does not rely too heavily on the titular McGuffin and has left room for some interesting developments related to the powers, motives, and origins of the rebellion as well as Bartemaeus's past . Stroud's idea to flip a typical fantasy on its head and have a rebellious but ultimately noble beast fighting against an evil human is definitely entertaining.
While I remember enjoying reading this book in my tweens, I stopped shortly into the second installment, The Golum's Eye. I'm excited to discover more about this exciting and surprising universe.
While the English boy whisked away from home to learn magic is a staple of early 2000s young adult fiction, Stroud's alternate reality version of our world is surprisingly special, feeling more like His Dark Materials than Harry Potter. In his Britain, magicians lead publicly through the power vested in them by summoning demons. Demons and magicians are a global phenomenon with one character repeatedly referencing time he spent as a servant to Ptolemy, building a wall in ancient Prague, and more.
Beyond the world, the characters in this universe, particularly the djinn Bartimaeus, are special. In this book, Stroud flips between a third person narration and a first person one. While that choice might seem jarring, it actually works beautifully because his perspective characters are so different. While Bartimaeus is a sarcastic ancient magical entity who wants nothing more than to cause a little bit of chaos, Nathaniel is a young naive magician driven primarily by a need to overcome embarrassment and prove himself worthy. While I found Bartimaeus to be far more engaging, Nathaniel does shine, especially towards the end of the book. In audiobook form, Simon Jones's narration for Bartemaeus is particularly memorable.
While the plot of the story is a bit basic, it does not rely too heavily on the titular McGuffin and has left room for some interesting developments
While I remember enjoying reading this book in my tweens, I stopped shortly into the second installment, The Golum's Eye. I'm excited to discover more about this exciting and surprising universe.
juliahint's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
dunq96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jhanvii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rattledragons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
annashiv's review against another edition
5.0
Great book. Kept me on my toes the entire time. Bartimaeus is cheeky and lovable. Nathaniel can be a little annoying with his being so young and all, but is interesting and smart. I can't wait to read the next book.