The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. It is a children’s novel of alternate history, fantasy and magic. It is the first book in the Bartimaeus Sequence, followed by The Golem’s Eye and The Pendulum. The story is set in an alternate London where the British Empire dominates the world through control of magic, and commoners are governed by the ruling class of magicians. Five-year-old Nathaniel begins an apprenticeship to magician Arthur Underwood, Minister of Internal Affairs.
Nathaniel is a bright and ambitious boy, but he is also arrogant and resentful of his master’s authority. When he is humiliated by a more powerful magician, Simon Lovelace, Nathaniel decides to summon a djinni to help him get revenge. The djinni he summons is Bartimaeus, a 5,000-year-old spirit of immense power and cunning. Bartimaeus is more than willing to help Nathaniel, but he has his own agenda. He is a master manipulator and he enjoys playing with humans, especially those who are as arrogant as Nathaniel.
Together, Nathaniel and Bartimaeus embark on a dangerous quest to steal the Amulet of Samarkand, a powerful magical artifact that could change the balance of power in London. Along the way, they must contend with Lovelace, the British government, and the forces of chaos that threaten to tear the city apart. The Amulet of Samarkand is a fast-paced, exciting adventure story with a witty and irreverent tone. It is a clever exploration of the power of magic and the dangers of ambition. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns.
The book has been praised by critics and readers alike. It has won several awards, including the Locus Award for Best Young Adult Fiction and the British Fantasy Award for Best Children’s Book.
If you are a fan of fantasy novels, then I highly recommend The Amulet of Samarkand. It is a well-written and entertaining story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
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