The Amulet of Samarkand
By Jonathon Stroud

The Bartimaeus Trilogy (book 1)

Is a story by Jonathan Stroud and is the first book of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, it is a story of modern Britain except there are a few big differences – we have an empire, magic is real and we are ruled by a government of magicians. These magicians believe that they are above all the ‘commoners’ and therefore they can do what ever they like. The story focuses on a magician in training and what he does to get his revenge on Simon Lovelace, another magician who is one of the most powerful in government. To get his revenge the trainee magician, Nathaniel, summons the djinni (pronounced jinni yes as in the ones that come out of lamps when you rub them) Bartimeaus, from the Other Place, who just happens to be on of the more mischievous and sarcastic of their sort. But all too soon the plan becomes more complicated than it should have been as Lovelace’s plan to over throw the Prime Minister’s rule is unvailed. Can Nathaniel save the government before it’s too late?

A story that sees two enemies come together to form a fragile friendship that neither of them will admit, is one that is enjoyable to read, there were moments that made me laugh and others that made me want to scream “How stupid is that boy!”. The characters really come to life and it’s amusing to see how two conflicting personalities become a team and will protect each other to the end due to a secret and the punishment of letting that secret out.

The footnotes form Bartimaeus give background to the Other Place where all the spirits live (it is from them that the magicians get their power) and shows what he is really thinking when he is being polite to Nathaniel and the other magicians. He is a funny character who isn’t afraid to speak his mind unlike the quiet and reclusive Nathaniel (remember what I said about two conflicting personalities).

I would recommend this book to anyone 13+ a good book for anyone who likes a bit of fantasy and real life entwined together.