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Title: The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud, Simon Jones ISBN: 0-8072-1953-3 Publisher: Listening Library (Audio) Pub. Date: 14 October, 2003 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 8 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.59 (81 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Fun, fast-paced, well-written
Comment: I enjoyed this book and would actually give it 4 1/2 stars. In the beginning, I felt it ranked as high as Harry Potter. In the end, perhaps less so.
To me, these are the book's strengths:
1. Original setting in a modern-day London with magicians ruling the country.
2. Fun character in Bartimaeus and the other spirits.
3. Interesting setup between Nathaniel and Lovelace. Interesting relationship between Nathaniel and Bartimaeus.
4. Good writing. Funny asides by Bartimaeus. Vivid and dramatic scenes.
And the weaknesses:
1. Bad magicians with no complexity or redeeming qualities. Too one-dimensional sometimes.
2. A little schizophrenia on the part of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus. One minute, they're cold and heartless. The next, they're having a crisis of conscience and/or crying. Bartimaeus is supposed to be a rather scary entity, but sometimes he's just pretty darn sweet.
3. Nathaniel gets lucky too often, especially at the end. Basically, he wins through the incompetence of everyone else. Sometimes, he doesn't deserve to win due to his pig-headedness and lack of common sense.
Having said that, though, it was a fun read that was hard to put down. I would recommend it (and already have to several people) and plan to read the other books in the series.
Rating: 3
Summary: JOURNEYMAN EFFORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Comment: Two things keep this from being just another average young adult fantasy story. The first being that part of the story is told from the viewpoint of Bartimaeus, a centuries old djinni who finds himself enslaved by a 12 year old magician. His cynical and hard-bitten views of his enslavement, its something that happens quite often to djinni, is unique and often very amusing.
The second unique aspect of this book is the young protagonist Nathan. Sold to the magicians at a young age he is brought up as an apprentice by a thoroughly despicable master magician. We find this is not unusual as most magicians in this alternate universe are thoroughly despicable. Magicians rule the world using their ability to control various spirits like the djinni's, it is not an especially benevolent dictatorship. What is unique about Nathan is that he is fairly unlikable. He's a brat, a genius and as it turns out a fairly powerful magician. Also for once he is a 12 year old boy who really acts like a 12 year old. Given power he doesn't have the emotional maturity to control it. He panics, makes mistakes and generally causes a real mess of things. He believes that it is natural for magicians to control the normal's and certainly has no intention of helping them in their rebellion. Like I said he's not very likable. If you're like me you will start rooting for the djinni early and often. Nathan is no Harry Potter.
Although it has a fairly simple plot and weak characters it is exciting enough to captivate the attention of younger readers, I don't think adults will get as much enjoyment out of this one as other examples of young adult lit. Still it is suitable and age appropriate for young adults and for them I certainly RECOMMEND it.
Rating: 5
Summary: highly original book
Comment: I'm a science fiction/fantasy fan and read books like shannara, harry potter, lord of the rings, bartimeaus, and eragon. This book was highly original in the power of magicians. It's not just like using magic to do everything and being in secret from non-magic people. the structure of it is cool because of the way it has two main charaxters and switches views. Since magicians don't actually use magic, (they summon demons and the stronger the demon, the harder he is to control so you need to be a strong magician to control strong demons) Bartimeaus is actually the one with all the power, not Nathaniel (the magician). I loved the ending of the book because of the strategic plans the main characters come up with. BOTTOM LINE-------- if you're a fantasy fan, READ THIS SERIES.
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Title: Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) by Christopher Paolini ISBN: 0375826688 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 26 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Anthea Bell ISBN: 0439531640 Publisher: Chicken House Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau ISBN: 0375822739 Publisher: Random House Children's Books Pub. Date: 13 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread (NEWBERY MEDAL BOOK) by Kate Dicamillo, Timothy B. Ering ISBN: 0763617229 Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA) Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: The Wish List by Eoin Colfer ISBN: 0786818638 Publisher: Miramax Kids Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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