Reviews - The Amulet of Samarkand

1.6k reviews for:

The Amulet of Samarkand

Jonathan Stroud

3.96 AVERAGE

adjuncttavore's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

An easy read as a YA novel, with some fun actuon.

Seemingly aware of the problems with magicians in the book’s world, but none of the magicians (including the main character) demonstrate any growth or care about the injustices of their society. Would have liked to see more character growth from Nathanael.

Bartimaeus was a fun character but necessarily has less agency as he is ultimately being controlled by a human. And as far as magic system goes, a system wherein a magician’s power is entirely derived from summoning and forcibly controlling unwilling servants (slaves) is a pretty depressing one.

Content Warnings

mars93's review against another edition

1.0

Parts of this book were interesting, but it seemed like it just drug on and on. It was way too political for me. Plus it had so much magical jargon that I would have to reread parts to try to understand it. I did get tired of Bartimeaus' smug remarks, though some were funny. I had higher expectations for this book, but disliked it so much that I can't even force myself to read the rest of the trilogy.

eternallyunsatisfied's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

dhuaine's review against another edition

0.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

_lookingforsilber_'s review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

delaneybull's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

chessjobber's review against another edition

4.0

Bartimaeus is hilarious, his chapters are fun reads. The kid is kind of annoying and boring but I'm looking forward to seeing him grow. The plot was very simple with few loopholes. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable kid's book.

nubbles's review against another edition

4.0

Read this when I was young, and it still mostly holds up. Has the typical YA tropeyness of the kids acting older than their age and the adults acting dumber/more ignorant than you'd expect. Still a fun read with a great VA on the audiobook.