The Amulet of Samarkand
"One of this year's most inventive and ingenious novels." – Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times
A young magician's apprentice, Nathaniel, secretly summons the irascible 5000-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, to do his bidding. The task for Bartimaeus is not an easy one – he must steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, Barimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion and murder.
Set in modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, bestselling thriller will enthral readers of all ages.
Jonathan Stroud
Jonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy
The Bartimaeus Trilogy consists of four books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Book Reviews
An absolutely interesting novel and trilogy. The Bartimaeus Trilogy has remarkably alike feeling to it than there is in Susanna Clarke's novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel. The atmosphere is something I would call delicious. There is some very interesting darkness in them, some very interesting conflicts. The Amulet of Samarkand introduces us into the parallel world of our own, into the history not so unlike than the reality we think we know. I certainly like the feeling of the book which has shadows that go somehow even deeper than the grimy veins of humanity that George R. R. Martin brings us. The Amulet of Samarkand is maybe a softer version Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, but it definitely reaches a deep variety of shadows that make so many of the fantasy novels look far too bright in comparison.