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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This is a cool book. It is sort of reminiscent of Harry Potter, in that it is about a kid learning how to use magical powers, but that is where the similarity ends. I found Stroud to be a better writer and his world and story to be more fully developed than those supplied by JK.
Stroud tells the story from two points of view, and changes the perspective of the writing as the focus changes. When the story is following Bartimaeus, it is told in first person, with Bartimaeus (a demon) telling you what is going on as he sees things, while the parts following Nathaniel (a boy) are in third person. The Bartimaeus sections feature heavy use of footnotes (Stroud even gives an in universe explanation for these footnotes) which makes them flow differently from the rest of the book, in addition to being from a different perspective.
The perspective changes feed into Stroud's world building as well, giving you information about how Demon's see things when Bartimaeus is telling the story and giving you more general information about how human society works in this particular world when the story is following Nathaniel. This is an interesting, simple technique that is very entertaining and effective; I am surprised I haven't seen it before.
Beyond the technical details of the writing, this book is very entertaining to read. It is humorous and lighthearted, while still tackling more serious issues like revenge as well as giving insight into the workings of a fully realized fantasy world that is similar to our own. I liked this book quite a lot, and will most likely pick up the rest in the series.
Stroud tells the story from two points of view, and changes the perspective of the writing as the focus changes. When the story is following Bartimaeus, it is told in first person, with Bartimaeus (a demon) telling you what is going on as he sees things, while the parts following Nathaniel (a boy) are in third person. The Bartimaeus sections feature heavy use of footnotes (Stroud even gives an in universe explanation for these footnotes) which makes them flow differently from the rest of the book, in addition to being from a different perspective.
The perspective changes feed into Stroud's world building as well, giving you information about how Demon's see things when Bartimaeus is telling the story and giving you more general information about how human society works in this particular world when the story is following Nathaniel. This is an interesting, simple technique that is very entertaining and effective; I am surprised I haven't seen it before.
Beyond the technical details of the writing, this book is very entertaining to read. It is humorous and lighthearted, while still tackling more serious issues like revenge as well as giving insight into the workings of a fully realized fantasy world that is similar to our own. I liked this book quite a lot, and will most likely pick up the rest in the series.
1001 Children's books selection. Really much better than I expected. I actually want to finish the series. I think both my boys would love it.
Pretty enjoyable, though I do enjoy Lockwood & Co. more.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
GREAT. So, this book plops you into a fully realized world and lets you figure out what the mechanics/dynamics are and it instantly goes 100 miles an hour. This is a book about a type of magic where magicians gain control of demons/djinnis to do their bidding. Everyone's a little dark, characters are very complex, and the pacing is stellar. Also, its ultimately a book about everyone completely underestimating a little kid which is a message I am here for.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rereading this book feels like coming home. It still makes me laugh and gasp and long for a world of magic.
I had no idea of what this book was about when I started reading it. My dad's girlfriend works in a thrift store and when she saw they were fantasy-type books, she picked them up for me, sans the dust jackets.
Plus, I've never read the Harry Potter series (mostly out of stubbornness) which I see some people comparing this series to because of some of the more basic elements (apprentice, England, etc).
But I was delightfully surprised once I got into it. It's a unique world and magic system and the story kind of crept up on me. I didn't end up loving or even liking Nathaniel that much, but that was ok because Bartimaeus was such a fun character to learn about. He's my favorite kind of anti-hero, the quick-witted, wisecracking sarcastic guy who is like a burnt marshmallow--crusty and charred on the outside, but gooey sweet on the inside.
The writing style was intriguing, especially with the footnotes. At first they were weird but I found I enjoyed the little asides from the main storyline especially when it described the world in greater detail. I did not find these footnotes irritating at all (unlike when I read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell).
Overall it was a fun book, and I enjoyed the next two in the series as well. I'd recommend these to anyone who wants a fun light read.
Plus, I've never read the Harry Potter series (mostly out of stubbornness) which I see some people comparing this series to because of some of the more basic elements (apprentice, England, etc).
But I was delightfully surprised once I got into it. It's a unique world and magic system and the story kind of crept up on me. I didn't end up loving or even liking Nathaniel that much, but that was ok because Bartimaeus was such a fun character to learn about. He's my favorite kind of anti-hero, the quick-witted, wisecracking sarcastic guy who is like a burnt marshmallow--crusty and charred on the outside, but gooey sweet on the inside.
The writing style was intriguing, especially with the footnotes. At first they were weird but I found I enjoyed the little asides from the main storyline especially when it described the world in greater detail. I did not find these footnotes irritating at all (unlike when I read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell).
Overall it was a fun book, and I enjoyed the next two in the series as well. I'd recommend these to anyone who wants a fun light read.