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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Ahoy there mateys! Oh how I absolutely utterly love Bartimaeus. He makes me so very happy. For those who haven’t read the series, it takes place in Britain where magicians rule Parliament and tells the tale of teenage magician Nathaniel who summons Bartimaeus, the djinni, and gets way more than he bargained for. Nathaniel is obnoxious and arrogant but ye love him in the end. Bartimaeus is sarcastic and funny and provoking and wonderful. Listening to the audiobooks was such a treat. In listening to them, I am not sure if book one or three is me favourite. But the human and djinni relationship is the highlight of these books. The plots are wonderful but the characters are even better. I won’t be waiting for so long to read them all again.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Still love this. Bartimaeus is such a great and funny character. Nathaniel has his moments but Bartimaeus really is the star.
This is actually the 3rd or 4th time I've read this book, but it always entertains. Inventive and funny, it's great YA.
slow-paced
The Amulet of Samarkand (My Kindle Review)
The first volume of this YA fantasy trilogy that was published two decades ago introduces us to Nathaniel, a preteen apprentice to a powerful magician since he was little. After he’s humiliated by a formidable foe during a magician gathering, Nathaniel wants revenge by summoning Bartimaeus, a magical djinn (genie) to steal the man’s amulet that’s planned to be used to take control of the government. This will bring a life changing adventure for Nathaniel as he must stop those who plan to use magic for their own control.
“AOS” is certainly not like most YA fantasy as it’s not “Harry Potter” or “His Dark Materials” exciting but more serious and well toned. The main protagonist can be a bit bratty at times, yet Nathaniel does grows more likable as his story continues. The cast and the fantasy lore manage to keep it a solid read, though I wish it could’ve have more excitement up its sleeves. B (75%/Good)
The first volume of this YA fantasy trilogy that was published two decades ago introduces us to Nathaniel, a preteen apprentice to a powerful magician since he was little. After he’s humiliated by a formidable foe during a magician gathering, Nathaniel wants revenge by summoning Bartimaeus, a magical djinn (genie) to steal the man’s amulet that’s planned to be used to take control of the government. This will bring a life changing adventure for Nathaniel as he must stop those who plan to use magic for their own control.
“AOS” is certainly not like most YA fantasy as it’s not “Harry Potter” or “His Dark Materials” exciting but more serious and well toned. The main protagonist can be a bit bratty at times, yet Nathaniel does grows more likable as his story continues. The cast and the fantasy lore manage to keep it a solid read, though I wish it could’ve have more excitement up its sleeves. B (75%/Good)
I will start by saying that the series as a whole is worth reading. But man, I really had to convince myself to continue. Bartimaeus is an awesome character, and I kept reading mostly to follow his exploits. Nathaniel is a little sh** and I really didn't care much about him. Fortunately the plot in which Nathaniel is embroiled in this book is interesting, even though Nathaniel's fate didn't hold my attention. I honestly wasn't sure I was going to read the next one.
I did read the next one, however, and it paid off (more in another review). Jonathan Stroud is a good author; I think perhaps he made Nathaniel too well, because I sure loathed him! I can only imagine that he started Nathaniel at the bottom to give him somewhere to go . . . and he does get there.
I did read the next one, however, and it paid off (more in another review). Jonathan Stroud is a good author; I think perhaps he made Nathaniel too well, because I sure loathed him! I can only imagine that he started Nathaniel at the bottom to give him somewhere to go . . . and he does get there.
What made me like this book was the humorous way in which the author writes. Fun reading. :)
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It a delightful read, with a unique and dynamic style.
I liked this a lot. The character you think is evil or cruel at first, ends up being a hero and has better morals than the supposed "hero". It kept me excited and interested because I never knew what would happen.
I just wasn't as enamored of this book as a lot of other people seem to be.
While I found Bartimaeus' narration more compelling than Nathan's chapters, I didn't really find myself "getting behind" either character. I don't really need characters to be "likeable" in the books I read, but I kept wondering exactly who or what I should be rooting for in this book, what should keep me reading. Was I supposed to want Nathan to succeed in his endeavors, even though he was kind of a jerk to Bartimaeus? I kept thinking the book was probably trying to be something of a "buddy comedy" where Bartimaeus and Nathan were supposed to start out loathing each other but would eventually come to be reluctant comrades, and that perhaps THAT was the outcome we were supposed to be pulling for. But that aspect of the story never really seemed to materialize, either.
So I'm sorry to say that my mind wandered a fair amount during this book. It took me a long time to figure out the era it was taking place in, and I eventually determined it's in a sort of alternate present-day since a laptop was mentioned at some point. And although the magic system and political set-up and hints of a coming revolution were all interesting, it also felt somewhat muddled to me. It did remind me of a children's version of "Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell," and it was well written, but I probably won't be reading further into the series.
While I found Bartimaeus' narration more compelling than Nathan's chapters, I didn't really find myself "getting behind" either character. I don't really need characters to be "likeable" in the books I read, but I kept wondering exactly who or what I should be rooting for in this book, what should keep me reading. Was I supposed to want Nathan to succeed in his endeavors, even though he was kind of a jerk to Bartimaeus? I kept thinking the book was probably trying to be something of a "buddy comedy" where Bartimaeus and Nathan were supposed to start out loathing each other but would eventually come to be reluctant comrades, and that perhaps THAT was the outcome we were supposed to be pulling for. But that aspect of the story never really seemed to materialize, either.
So I'm sorry to say that my mind wandered a fair amount during this book. It took me a long time to figure out the era it was taking place in, and I eventually determined it's in a sort of alternate present-day since a laptop was mentioned at some point. And although the magic system and political set-up and hints of a coming revolution were all interesting, it also felt somewhat muddled to me. It did remind me of a children's version of "Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell," and it was well written, but I probably won't be reading further into the series.