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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “A series in the same vein as Harry Potter, but for an older audience. The footnotes make the book that much more interesting.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “ok only got to the frist chapter” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“ok only got to the frist chapter”
KILLERSMIST wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Really good start to trilogy!”
Joseph T wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is an absolutely incredible read - Jonathan Stroud is brilliant and this is without doubt his best book! The characters are fantastical but at the same time beautifully realistic and the plot is amazing! I literally can't go a single day without reading a few pages from this book!”
Emma W wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I began this book during a busy week and read the first 50 pages or so in fits and starts during lunch breaks. It's likely that this compromised my enjoyment--probably with most books it's good to pay closest attention at the beginning they have a fair shot at hooking you.
Karam wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Plot: A 12 year old apprentice learns far more magic than he's supposed to and summons an ancient djinni, Bartimaeus, to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from an older magician who humiliated him. Alternates between third person narrative for Nathaniel's side of the story, and 1st person from Bartimaeus' perspective. Bartimaeus is ancient, conceited, and riddles his chapters with footnotes. He's kinda bitchily scornful of humans, but comes to willingly help Nathaniel when he sees the boy actually has a mild sense of conscience, unlike most other magicians in this world.
Not really a Harry Potter read-alike. The version of London depicted in this book is cold and violent. Magicians acquire powers by enslaving magical beings. Emphasis on action packed scenes of escape and conflict vs. creation of entrancing setting or likable group dynamics. ”
“When I read the book The Amulet of Samarkand, I found myself reluctant to put it down. From the first few pages, the book really grabs your attention with a combination of well written characters and events. The main characters Bartimaeus and Nathaniel (although many of the characters call him by his magician John Mandrake) are very interesting. Nathaniel youth and subtle innocence combined with his need to avenge himself against Simon Lovelace makes him a very varied protagonist. Simon Lovelace himself is a very interesting villain. He is strong, charismatic, ruthless, a very good actor. He is among the smarter of villains I’ve read of in books with his plan to enact a coup d’etat against the government of Britain. Simon’s Dijinni servants are also interesting character. Faquarl and Jabor weren’t only very good bad guys, but they also make the reader wonder how Bartimaeus knows them and why they hate each other. On the other hand, the suave dijinni Bartimaeus is a very complicated character. Although he helps Nathaniel throughout the story, its not because he‘s a virtuous dijinni. The only thing that stops him from letting him young Nathaniel well enough alone is that Nathaniel cast the spell of Perpetual Confinement and uses Abelbrand’s Pentacle when summoned him. Bartimaeus’ chapters are also where a large amount of the book’s lighter side is present. Bartimaeus’ footnotes that appear through out the book range to informational to hilarious. The book’s chapter structure was one of my personal favorites. It alternates between focusing on Bartimaeus in first person and Nathaniel in the third. I most definitely recommend this book to fans of action, fantasy, or even just good story.”
Tyler D wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is very interesting since it's from a point of view of an intelligent creature. I love the creature's attitude, it kind of reminds me of myself actually.”
Nancy L wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Nathaniel is a boy that serves Mr.Greenwood. But he is also a magician. When Lovelace comes to his master's (Mr.Greenwood) home, Lovelace casts a spell on Nathaniel to revenge of what Nathaniel said about Lovelace. So Nathaniel wanted to revenge back and he releases one of the oldest ancient djiins. Bartimeaus. He sets Bartimeaus out to steal Lovelace's Amulet of Samarchand but then fonds himself stuck in acient powers of magic. ”
Yuri W wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“loved the bartimaeus footnotes!”
Rhea wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“this is a great book!!! In it Nathaniel trains to become a magician. But his master does not protect him from an attack. So he plots his revenge which includes summuning a 14th level demon, targeting a powerful magician, and risking his life. I would suggest that everyone reads this series ”
samuel hepworth wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“OMG! I met this Brittish author, and he read from this book. They were considering this art work for a future publishing, and consulted us.
Laurie H wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Very smart language, amazing characters, and frightening situations.”
