The Amulet of Samarkand
By Johnathan Stroud
The first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, I found The Amulet of Samarkand to be a highly enjoyable read. The witty, cynical Bartimaeus is a djinni (genie) who has been summoned against his will by an eager young magician named Nathaniel. When Nathaniel sends Batrimeaus out to steal the dangerous Amulet of Samarkand from his old rival Simon Lovelace, the book explodes into non-stop action. Good "stopping points" are few and far-between, to say the very least. Between the intrigue of Nathaniel's political schemes and Bartimaeus's comical banter, the Amulet of Samarkand falls into literary history. An excellent work of creative fantasy, if slightly dark at points. go out to Barnes and Nobles© right now and buy this book!
**Parental Warning: This book contains some brief moments of crude humor that some may find to be inapropriate for small children**