The Amulet of Samarkand

Stroud, Jonathan. The Amulet of Samarkand. Hyperion, 2004. ISBN-10: 0786852550

Plot Summary
Nathaniel is unfortunately apprenticed to a rather mediocre magician. So when Nathaniel decides to take revenge on a high ranking magician he finds the spells he needs in the library. Without the guidance of a more experienced magician he summons a djinn named Bartimaeus to steal the Amulet of Samarkand. As it turns out, the Amulet is more than an expensive trinket- some might argue it's worth murdering for. Despite Bartimaeus' disdain for lowly magicians he needs to keep Nathaniel alive and well in order for Nathaniel to undo the curse of entrapment before the month is up. Nathaniel's plan of revenge turns out to be more complicated than expected and he ends up a wanted fugitive trying to stop a violent government takeover.

This is book one in the Bartimaeus Trilogy.

Critical evaluation
Told alternately by Nathaniel and the djinn Bartimaeus the story is a mix of youthful idealism and the non-chalance that comes with millenia of experience. While Nathaniel is sometimes painfully headstrong and stubborn, Bartimaeus is sarcastic, self-aggrandizing and witty. The combination moves the story along easily. The footnotes take some getting used to, but in general I found the djinn's asides worth it.

Nathaniel's easy acceptance of the djinn's slavery was troubling, but I think that we may see the issue addressed in later books. Also, a conflict between commoners and magicians is introduced but not discussed. I'm eager to see where the series goes. Nonetheless, this book could be read independent of the series.

Recommended

Readers Annotations
When is revenge more complicated than it seems? Always. Especially when your revenge plot involves summoning and controlling a know-it-all djinn then stealing a precious artifact right from under the government's nose.


Information About the Author
Jonathan Stroud lives in England with his wife, son and daughter.

Genre
Fantasy; Magic

Curriculum Ties
Middle Eastern mythology (Alladin etc.)

Booktalking Ideas
Incompetent teachers

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6+



Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for middle schoolers, published by the Sacramento Public Library