The Amulet of Samarkand

Jan 18, 2025 3:02 AM

Author:Jonathan Stroud

The first volume in the brilliant, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence.

When the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, he expects to have to do nothing more taxing than a little levitation or a few simple illusions. But Nathaniel is a precocious talent and has something rather more dangerous in mind: revenge. Against his will, Bartimaeus is packed off to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, both djinni and apprentice are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, murder and rebellion.

Set in a modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, electrifying thriller will enthral readers of all ages.

Reviews

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling

—— Independent

The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative

—— Guardian

The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he has always been despised

—— The Sunday Times

Not since Gulliver's Travels has a children's writer managed to combine a thrilling tale of magic and adventure with such deliciously pointed comedy

—— The Times

Terrific stuff

—— Mail on Sunday

Jonathan Stroud goes from strength to strength . . . Dramatic tension and coruscating wit never falter

—— The Bookseller

one of the greatest character creations in modern children's literature... certainly in my top ten favourite characters from any book, adult or child.

—— The Book Zone

So rarely do humor and plot come together in such equally strong measures that we can only hope for more adventures."

—— The Horn Book Magazine

Bartimaeus is as sardonic, egotistical, and mouthy as ever. This is a superior fantasy.

—— Publishers Weekly

Bartimaeus is back, and he's better than ever! For fans of Bartimaeus, this is an absolute must-buy. For those not yet introduced to him, you may want to give him a try!

—— BCF Book Reviews

Deservedly shortlisted for this year's Costa prize is Jonathan Stroud's The Ring of Solomon....It has magic, intrigue, wit and sassy footnotes.

—— Alison Jay , The Sunday Time

Pace, drama, magic and exotic colour, with Bartimaeus there to give an irreverent, current feel to a story set in the ancient past.

—— Carousel

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