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Description edit
Now in paperback -- the exciting second volume in the critically acclaimed series -- a New York Times best seller in hardcover for sixteen weeks. The second book of the Bartimaeus series.
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
Due to the success of his first campaign involving the Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel, now fourteen, has been appointed the youngest representative ever to the Office of Internal Affairs, and has been devising traps to capture members of the Resistance--a secretive group of commoners who are... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- Nathaniel: Now 14, he is the apprentice of Jessica Whitwell, and works in the Internal Affairs office. His name as a magician is John Mandrake.
- Bartimaeus: The 5,000 year old, snarky djinni from "The Amulet of Samarkand", still with his cynically sarcastic sense of humor, wisecracks and love for teasing Nathaniel.
- Kathleen (Kitty) Jones: A member of the Resistance. Kitty hates the magicians because of an event during her childhood. After falling victim to the black tumbler, she discovered that she had a "resilience" to magic.
- T. E. Pennyfeather: Is the head of the resistance and is the one who recruited Kitty.
- Henry Duvall: Chief of the police in London.
- Anne Stephens: A member of the Resistance.
- Jessica Whitwell: Minister of International Affairs and John's master.
- Fred Weaver: He is part of the Resistance and sells newspapers.
- Stanley Hake: One of the boys from the Resistance who also sells newspapers.
- Nicholas Drew: A member of the Resistance.
- Clem Hopkins: He works for the Resistance, but does not have resilience. Instead, he supplies them with information.
- Rupert Devereaux: Prime Minister of Great Britain and a notable magician.
- Mr. Gladstone: He was the conqueror of Prague as Prime Minister. One of the greatest magicians ever to have lived.
- Jane Farrar: She works as an adjunct for the chief of the police. A rival to Nathaniel.
- Sholto Pinn: A merchant, he owns a shop in Piccadilly which sells magical items.
- Jakob Hyrnek: An old friend of Kitty's who was with her when they were hit with the Black Tumbler.
- Julius Tallow: Works in International Affairs and dislikes Nathaniel.
- Helen Malbindi: Minister of Information.
- Quentin Makepeace: Author of the play "Swan's from Arabia".
- Simon Lovelace: In the previous book, he wanted to become head of Britain.
- Queezle: A djinni in the service of Mr. Foukes.
- Simpkin: A foliot in the service of Mr. Pinn.
- Carl Mortensen: Minister of Administration.
- Marmaduke Fry: Minister of Exterior.
- George Foukes: Magician of the fourth level in the Department of Internal Affairs.
- Honorius: The guardian of Gladsone's tomb who is an afrit trapped inside Gladstone's corpse.
- Kavka: A magician in Prague.
- The Mercenary: He first appeared in the first book as a murder wearing seven league boots; now, he is related to the golem case.
Quotes edit
-
“Would you stop going on about my hair!”
Nathaniel -
“Hey, we've all got problems, chum. I'm overly talkative. You look like a field of buttercups in a suit.”
Bartimaeus -
“Check out that one at the end. He's taken the form of a footstool. Weird...but somehow I like his style." "That is a footstool.”
Bartimaeus and Nathaniel -
“The magical energies have been gradually ebbing through your system," the djinni went on. "Your skin's been steaming gently and the end of each hair's been glowing at the tip. A remarkable sight. Your aura's gone haywire, too. Well, it's a delicate process, ridding yourself of a charge like that. I wanted to wake you straightaway, but I knew I had to wait several hours, to ensure you were safely recoverd." "What! How long has it been?" asked Nathaniel. "Five minutes. I got bored.”
Bartimaeus and Nathaniel -
“The safest place to swim is right behind the shark.”
Mr. Hyrneks -
“Surely you hadn't forgotten, you summon me, the backchat comes free. It's part of the package.”
Bartimaeus -
“Out of the corner of my eye I saw the orangutan scratch his armpit. Either this was a subtle signal promising swift aid, or else he hadn't seen me.”
Bartimaeus -
“"If she tries any tricks kill her""You'll have to be more specific: card, coin, indian rope- what!"”
Nathaniel then Bartimaeus -
“"What are you doing! I told you to stop them when they did something that violated our agreement!""Yes, but you broke it yourself if not two minutes ago in a particularly noxious manner if I might add-- Listen if you let go of the staff you can pull your hair out much more easily"”
Organizations edit
- The Resistance: A group dedicated to undermining the magicians' power. Mostly is made up of young men and women who have a natural resilience to magic.
- The Night Police: A lycanthropic group of police that roam London's streets, preventing trouble.
First Sentence edit
At dusk, the enemy lit their campfires one by one, in greater profusion than on any night before.
Table of Contents edit
Prologue: Prague, 1868
Part One
Chapters 1-10
Part Two
Chapters 11-21
Part Three
Chapters 22-31
Part Four
Chapters 32-48
Series & Lists edit
This is book 2 of 4 in The Bartimaeus Series. (standard series)
Preceded by The Amulet of Samarkand, and followed by Ptolemy's Gate.
This is book 2 of 4 in Bartimejeva trilogija. (standard series)
Preceded by The Amulet of Samarkand, and followed by Ptolemy's Gate.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Jonathan Stroud (Author)
Other Contributors:
- Vladimir Cvetković Sever (Translator)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Miramax Books
Country: United States
Publication Date: September 1, 2004
ISBN: 978-0786836543
Page Count: 574
Publisher: Miramax Books
Country: United States
Publication Date: September 1, 2004
ISBN: 978-0786836543
Page Count: 574
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Young AdultsI would say that anyone older than ten would really enjoy this book. It is exciting and has great vocabulary.
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