Ptolemy's Gate [Import] [Hardcover]

Jonathan Stroud (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday (2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385606168
• ISBN-13: 978-0385606165
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,150,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jonathan Stroud (www.jonathanstroud.com) is the author of the New York Times best-selling Bartimaeus Trilogy, as well as Heroes of the Valley, The Leap, The Last Siege, and Buried Fire. He lives in England with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When Barty lost his bite, June 19, 2006

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3) (Hardcover)

The third and final installment of the Bartimaeus Trilogy (*1) picks up three years after the "The Golem's Eye" with Nathaniel a.k.a. John Mandrake now the Information Minister, and spending his time making up propaganda pamphlets about the supposed successes of the war in America (*2) He has been increasingly mistreating Bartimaeus, not allowing him to return to the "other place" until his essence is so severely weakened that the puns stop flowing. (*3) Mandrake is now cold and unfeeling, totally absorbed in his work and his own self importance, and has few friends. In order to hang on to whatever little favor he has left with the Prime Minister, he maintains cordial relations with Quentin Makepeace, who has composed a must-see (*4) musical about the life of the Prime Minister.

Things aren't going so well for the government either, and the commoners are revolting. (*5) Some have learned to spot magical beings, and some have developed magical resistance, and this book sees the return of Kitty Jones, who is sneakily learning about the other world, and especially Bartimaeus' past. (*6) Through Kitty's research we learn the secret behind the whole Ptolemy thing, and get a look into Bartimaeus' domain.

When a sinister plot (*7) unleashes the most powerful beings who ever existed to wreak havoc and cause mass destruction, Mandrake, Kitty and Bartimaeus team up in ways none of the three would have before this thought possible, and using the magical artifacts from the first two books, they represent the last line of defense of the human race. After a heart-stopping and pulse-racing (*8) last quarter, the grand finale may not be to everyone's liking, but the redemption of Nathaniel more than makes up for it.

A bit lengthy and somewhat plodding at the start, but never-the-less a totally gratifying conclusion to a great series.



(*1) - Yes, yes - trilogies often mean three stories - get on with it!

(*2) - Mostly rubbish, I might add

(*3) - Egads!

(*4) - If you wanted to keep your job, that is

(*5) - Most of the magicians would agree whole heartedly

(*6) - Trust a woman to have an enquiring mind

(*7) - What other kind is there?

(*8) - Desirable yet unhealthy conditions I would think




Amanda Richards, June 19, 2006

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe it's over, January 12, 2006

By 

Yapi Santiago (Metro Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3) (Hardcover)

I couldn't have asked for anything more. This was indeed a worthy finale to the trilogy. The character development just went into no-holds-barred mode, giving you such insight on the main characters, and, finally, a revelation on Bartimaeus' past with Ptolemy. What was it that made this djinn love the little Egyptian boy so? We finally find out.

The past two books ensnared me, but this one completely held me captive. There were times when I'd be tired all day from working, my eyes forcing themselves shut, and my body aching for rest. Yet, I fought against its cries for sleep just so I could continue reading Bartimaeus' tale.

Ptolemy's Gate is so well written that you will find yourself getting so involved with the characters throughout the story. I shared Bartimaeus' disappointment with Nathaniel so much that I yearned to jump in there and slap some sense into him myself. Not to mention that I was feeling sorry for Bartimaeus as well, while he goes into his own style of [justifyable] self-pity. Kitty, who I admit did not interest me so much in the past, played such a crucial part here that I could not help but develop a fondness for her as well.

Each turn of the page willed me to go on, and the excitement just seem to build up and up. And the ending.. Oh, the ending. I released the breath I wasn't aware I was holding, as I stare into space dumbfounded; mouth slightly open, as I play that final scene again and again in my head.

I hope to see Bartimaeus again in the future. Even with a completely different cast of characters, I would be happy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Will miss it, January 1, 2006

By 

Optimist (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ptolemy's Gate (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3) (Hardcover)

Warning - do not read the reviews below mine - they contain major spoilers!!

All in all - a great finale for a captivating series. (I didn't get out of my pajamas today - read straight through!)

Imaginative and compelling - entertaining for adults and children as well. Heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Stroud!