Format: Kindle EditionChange
Price:$7.99
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
VINE VOICEon August 31, 2005
This is fantasy the way it should be written, on two planes: one is the story and the other is the adult-engaging sarcasm and humor. This book is a great pleasure to read out loud to your (older) elementary school child, or to read to yourself just for the sheer fun and escapism.
There has been, no surprise, a spate of wizarding fantasy, but this book finds a new approach, a new world, and has virtually nothing whatsoever to do with the Harry Potter-inspired approach to wizards. In this world, England is divided into Wizards (who run the government and have demons who do their bidding) and commoners (muggles), but the commoners are quite aware of (and perhaps a bit resentful of) the magicians. The magicians themselves spend quite a bit of time scheming to increase their power, and the demons spend most of their time angry about their enslavement in service to the magicians petty needs.
In the middle of this comes a young, highly talented, perhaps ambitious apprentice with a conscience who uncovers a dastardly plot. Things do not proceed in a predictable way, and the book is full of unexpected twists and not a few insights into how people with power actually do behave.
This first book in the trilogy has a bit of violence, and younger children will miss some of the humor (maybe most of it) but they will be engaged by the characters and they will be enthralled by the story. I'd be cautious with children under 9, but if they've read HP, they'll be fine here.
We are very much looking forward to reading book 2 and can't wait for the release of book 3.
There has been, no surprise, a spate of wizarding fantasy, but this book finds a new approach, a new world, and has virtually nothing whatsoever to do with the Harry Potter-inspired approach to wizards. In this world, England is divided into Wizards (who run the government and have demons who do their bidding) and commoners (muggles), but the commoners are quite aware of (and perhaps a bit resentful of) the magicians. The magicians themselves spend quite a bit of time scheming to increase their power, and the demons spend most of their time angry about their enslavement in service to the magicians petty needs.
In the middle of this comes a young, highly talented, perhaps ambitious apprentice with a conscience who uncovers a dastardly plot. Things do not proceed in a predictable way, and the book is full of unexpected twists and not a few insights into how people with power actually do behave.
This first book in the trilogy has a bit of violence, and younger children will miss some of the humor (maybe most of it) but they will be engaged by the characters and they will be enthralled by the story. I'd be cautious with children under 9, but if they've read HP, they'll be fine here.
We are very much looking forward to reading book 2 and can't wait for the release of book 3.
on August 3, 2007
I almost rated this a 3-star. Bartimaeus is brilliantly refreshing. He is Professor Snape meets Jack Sparrow. It's well worth the read just for him alone. What bogs this book down is the highly irritating magician Nathanial. He is only 12, yet is seemingly as arrogant, intelligent, and cruel as an adult. I think the author forgot his characters age entirely until much towards the end. While Bartimaeus is the brilliant main character of the book, Nathanial is also a main character - and a highly annoying one, at that. He is Harry Potter, only much worse. I've not read the next two books, but already I'm very sick of him. I will most likely read them simply in pursuit of the demon Bartimaeus. Without him, this book would have been worthless.
The plot moves slow and a large chunk is spent reading a 12-year-old rant and whine. Only the demon saves the day, and what's more, he goes completely unrecognized or un-thanked for his duty.
I do highly recommend this book for the character Stroud has created, but be prepared to take the good with the bad.
The plot moves slow and a large chunk is spent reading a 12-year-old rant and whine. Only the demon saves the day, and what's more, he goes completely unrecognized or un-thanked for his duty.
I do highly recommend this book for the character Stroud has created, but be prepared to take the good with the bad.
on December 28, 2008
I listened to this audiobook with my 13-year old son. We both enjoyed it immensely. After a bit of a slow start, there is a gripping, inventive and sometimes surprising plot that, coupled with excellent writing, made the book a real pleasure. We are moving right on to book two of the trilogy.
What makes the book different from others of its kind is that instead of good and evil, there is not-very-good, pretty bad, and evil. The author shares George Orwell's view of the effects of power, and offers selfish motivations for nearly all his characters. So the book has a cynical realism as part of its fantasy world, which adds to the appeal for adults and young adults.
On its own level, the book leaves many loose ends untied. I suspect, indeed, expect, that it is because this is a trilogy and those will be addressed in the two remaining books. If not, that would be a real flaw. This is also a book about boys and men; the women in the book play a small, peripheral role and, unlike the brutally real male characters, are portrayed as absurdly one-dimensional support pieces. These criticisms notwithstanding, we greatly enjoyed it.
What makes the book different from others of its kind is that instead of good and evil, there is not-very-good, pretty bad, and evil. The author shares George Orwell's view of the effects of power, and offers selfish motivations for nearly all his characters. So the book has a cynical realism as part of its fantasy world, which adds to the appeal for adults and young adults.
On its own level, the book leaves many loose ends untied. I suspect, indeed, expect, that it is because this is a trilogy and those will be addressed in the two remaining books. If not, that would be a real flaw. This is also a book about boys and men; the women in the book play a small, peripheral role and, unlike the brutally real male characters, are portrayed as absurdly one-dimensional support pieces. These criticisms notwithstanding, we greatly enjoyed it.
on March 13, 2014
I love, love, love, Bart's attitude. Maybe someone can help me out with a problem I have about the beginning of the book. Nat sends Bart to steal the amulet from Simon, who had stolen it from another magician. Ok got that, But nowhere does the author tell HOW Nat knew Simon had it when no one else knew where it was!? Please help me understand. I reread the first few chapters several times but apparently kept missing it. Thank You
on March 3, 2016
My nine-year-old daughter and I read this together, we didn't want it to end. We enjoyed the format of one character's point of view and then the other. It was well written and full of great vocabulary.
on January 27, 2017
This series started dark and quite cynical, then turned delightful and snarky. The writing from the perspective of the demons was quite clever and reminded me, at time, of the Screwtape Letters. I would recommend this series, as I enjoyed it a lot.
on April 28, 2015
Read literally hundreds of fantasy and crime fiction. BEST book I've read in a very long time. Amusing, likeable and love to hate characters. Serious yet light, faultless writing. I've read a lot if we'll rated novels that had childish unbelievable writing and story lines. This is not one of them. I intend to read every one of this series now. And I may be a little in love with Barty ;)
on January 9, 2017
In the book all magician's magic comes through the use of magical creatures from The Other Place. This book is about one of such names Batimaeus with a lot of personality. A refreshing and humorous take on fantasy.
on September 25, 2013
I picked up this series on a whim this year. I had been reading some pretty intense books and wanted something I could go through easily. Seeing the age group was young on this, yet the subject matter being exciting, I decided to go for it. Let me tell you, I was surprised at how much this book pulled me into the series as I tore through the pages. The characters here are so well developed - and the writing style is just wonderful. I especially love the idea of foot-noting the thoughts and conjectures when Bartimaeus dictates the chapter. I have to say, I feel in love with that surly little demon.
I highly recommend this wether you are young or just young at heart. The writing by Stroud is well thought out and the interactions between the characters is whimsical and keeps the pages turning, fast. The action is like a roller coaster of fun and excitement. He definitely doesn't let you down. If you are thinking of picking this one up, just grab the whole series. I promise you'll read them all.
I highly recommend this wether you are young or just young at heart. The writing by Stroud is well thought out and the interactions between the characters is whimsical and keeps the pages turning, fast. The action is like a roller coaster of fun and excitement. He definitely doesn't let you down. If you are thinking of picking this one up, just grab the whole series. I promise you'll read them all.
