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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
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.
I don't remember much of this book, other than when I read it I remember being confused, but I liked the footnotes of this book!
To read again someday, especially now that there are sequels out.
To read again someday, especially now that there are sequels out.
Sudah lama aku mendengar dan membaca banyak pembaca yang suka kisah Bartimaeus dan Nathaniel ini. Barti si jin sarkas dan cerewet. Awalnya aku mengira Barti sosok Jin yang sangat kuat, ternyata aku salah. Hehehe. Tapi, justru bagus dong Barti bukanlah Jin terkuat.
Seru sih. Aku suka.
Semoga buku selnajutnya semakin menarik.
Seru sih. Aku suka.
Semoga buku selnajutnya semakin menarik.
I received a recommendation to approach this books and did so without fear.
The book lacks nothing I can think of.
The characters are entertaining. The story is well worked out. The world feels solid. So all in all the book is definitely something you might want to read if you are looking for an interesting story that will keep you hooked and won't cause you a heart attack with its subjects.
The book lacks nothing I can think of.
The characters are entertaining. The story is well worked out. The world feels solid. So all in all the book is definitely something you might want to read if you are looking for an interesting story that will keep you hooked and won't cause you a heart attack with its subjects.
This was a fun young-adult fantasy read. It's narrated largely by Bartimaeus, a djinni who has been summoned by and is bound to serve a 12 year old magician. Bartimaeus is funny and arrogant and completely irritated by his young "master," but he's stuck with him. the young magiican is ambitious and feels overlooked and unappreciated. This motivates him to get into some trouble which ends up being connected to a national conflict. The setting is intriguing: London is ruled by magicians and the commoners exist just to serve. There is a rebellion afoot, and I imagine the next volumes will show continued unrest in the city.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No