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erume's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! (My 10 year old son who also read it agrees).
While I've heard of Jonathan Stroud before, I was not aware this was based on the first book of a series he wrote. I just picked it up because it looked like a nifty graphic novel. Thus, I did not have a lot of expectations. No matter, for this is one very, very good title!
Political intrigue and corruption, power-mongering, class segregation, magicians and djinni all combine to form an intense, deep, on-the-edge-of-your-seat journey. A young boy was sold at around age 6 so that he may be apprenticed to a magician. Now 12, the boy has proven himself bright and quite capable, though his master does not view him that way. After being slighted by his master's peer, the boy casts a powerful summon spell, bringing forth Bartimaeus, an ancient demon/djinni. Now Bartimaeus must do his master's bidding, which are often reckless and foolhardy requests, due to the the age of the master.
It's impossible not to enjoy Bartimaeus, my favorite character. He's cunning, crafty and powerful, yet he covers up his seemingly soft spots with arrogance and boasting. The graphic novel offers two narrators, both the djinni and the boy magician tell the story from their points of view, and both are spot-on, helping to really strongly define their characters.
The artwork is very detailed, with perfect shading and use of color. The whole thing is just such a wondrous package that I was surprised and saddened to discover this is the only graphic novel adaptation, so far. Looking on the bright side, now I have a whole series of novels to read. I can't decide whether I want to start with the first one in order to glean even more detail and depth from the story and characters, or move ahead with the second so that I can more quickly get new happiness!
While I cannot relate to you how faithful this graphic novelization is to the original, I can tell you that if you're the least bit interested in graphic novels and you love a good fantasy story, you must read this book!
While I've heard of Jonathan Stroud before, I was not aware this was based on the first book of a series he wrote. I just picked it up because it looked like a nifty graphic novel. Thus, I did not have a lot of expectations. No matter, for this is one very, very good title!
Political intrigue and corruption, power-mongering, class segregation, magicians and djinni all combine to form an intense, deep, on-the-edge-of-your-seat journey. A young boy was sold at around age 6 so that he may be apprenticed to a magician. Now 12, the boy has proven himself bright and quite capable, though his master does not view him that way. After being slighted by his master's peer, the boy casts a powerful summon spell, bringing forth Bartimaeus, an ancient demon/djinni. Now Bartimaeus must do his master's bidding, which are often reckless and foolhardy requests, due to the the age of the master.
It's impossible not to enjoy Bartimaeus, my favorite character. He's cunning, crafty and powerful, yet he covers up his seemingly soft spots with arrogance and boasting. The graphic novel offers two narrators, both the djinni and the boy magician tell the story from their points of view, and both are spot-on, helping to really strongly define their characters.
The artwork is very detailed, with perfect shading and use of color. The whole thing is just such a wondrous package that I was surprised and saddened to discover this is the only graphic novel adaptation, so far. Looking on the bright side, now I have a whole series of novels to read. I can't decide whether I want to start with the first one in order to glean even more detail and depth from the story and characters, or move ahead with the second so that I can more quickly get new happiness!
While I cannot relate to you how faithful this graphic novelization is to the original, I can tell you that if you're the least bit interested in graphic novels and you love a good fantasy story, you must read this book!
st4rryn1ght's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jholloed's review against another edition
4.0
The illustrated version of book one in the Bartimaeus series. Sort of alternative history, where modern day London is instead run by magicians, dependent on summoning spirits to maintain power and order for the most part.
We are specifically following a young boy, Nathaniel, as he learns about his place in the world, and chafes against restraints placed on him by his master mentor. He feels he is ready for more and ultimately ends up summoning a higher level spirit to help him seek his petty revenge. Then of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Our spirit is quite the wise-cracker :)
If you haven't read the book itself, this is a great representation, good illustration, but more comic book that illustrated novel.
I like it more as a supplement, than a stand alone, personally, but that is just me.
We are specifically following a young boy, Nathaniel, as he learns about his place in the world, and chafes against restraints placed on him by his master mentor. He feels he is ready for more and ultimately ends up summoning a higher level spirit to help him seek his petty revenge. Then of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Our spirit is quite the wise-cracker :)
If you haven't read the book itself, this is a great representation, good illustration, but more comic book that illustrated novel.
I like it more as a supplement, than a stand alone, personally, but that is just me.
deemazztan's review against another edition
5.0
Scored this higher because I don't like graphic novels, and I couldn't put this down. Considering how much had to be left out, it was still a coherent story, and the graphics were amazing. I really enjoyed seeing the seven planes Bartimaeus sees and what some of the demons look like. Looking forward to the other books being adapted this way.
_natalie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
caitlinkowalsky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
miathebooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
frighter's review against another edition
Every character, besides Bartimaeus, is too unlikeable. I realize that was the point but it doesn't make for good reading. I decided to DNF when I heard it gets within the trilogy before it gets better.