jfrostking's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nglofile's review
2.0
What a struggle. I started. I stopped. I tried again. The book underwent a marked improvement once Asmira's and Bartimaeus's paths finally crossed, and it's refreshing to have a story set in ancient Israel. That said, and though I usually enjoy a snarky protagonist, this just felt bloated and unengaging. I can't help but wonder if it better serves those who loved the trilogy than as an introduction for a new audience. Even then, I would think fans deserve better.
audiobook note: I started this in audio, but I had trouble connecting to the story. The author also makes regular use of footnotes, which I would miss in listening (at least in this production), so I reverted to print. However, due to time constraints, I had to juggle both in order to meet a deadline, and I must admit I appreciated the strong narrative performance.
audiobook note: I started this in audio, but I had trouble connecting to the story. The author also makes regular use of footnotes, which I would miss in listening (at least in this production), so I reverted to print. However, due to time constraints, I had to juggle both in order to meet a deadline, and I must admit I appreciated the strong narrative performance.
magdoll's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
anna_pizzichidilibri's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
honeybee_reads_'s review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mysimas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
basically a heist book, with its first half being the setting up of the stage, and the second the action. as always, bartimaeus adds loads to the appeal, asmira was a fine character also, and i think faquarl has officially won me over.
what made me a tad uncomfortable was the... uhm, sexual undertones? that happened mostly in relation with khaba who was a major creep and hitting on asmira nonstop, but also his interactions with the demon ammet were sometimes written so strangely:
what made me a tad uncomfortable was the... uhm, sexual undertones? that happened mostly in relation with khaba who was a major creep and hitting on asmira nonstop, but also his interactions with the demon ammet were sometimes written so strangely:
Somewhere above Asmira, a soft voice gave a warning call. ‘Master! Beware! The energies burn me even at a distance. Dear Master, you must take care!’ The magician made a noise that was half laugh, half groan. ‘You – you know me, dear Ammet. I – I like a little pain.’
what the heck, stroud. what the heck
darthsid's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
leahopkins's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I just love this series. I was afraid that I might not enjoy the prequel as much as the main series, but I was wrong. Bartimaeus is still as funny as always (the interactions between him an Farqual were gold), and the other main characters are very enjoyable as well. I loved Asmira and her development throughout the story. All the (human) main characters in this series seem to have many flaws and obstacles to overcome, and that's why I love them. I also enjoyed the plot, even though it wasn't as thick and suspenseful as in the later parts. I still couldn't put the book down, and enjoyed every page of it. Jonathan Stroud is very good at writing satisfying, soft endings that seem to have some kind of gentle melancholy in them, if that is even a thing. I just fill very fulfilled every time I close one of his books.
disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5. Consumed via audiobook. Simon Jones does a great job narrating, though he joins the ranks of male narrators whose rendering of female voices is not so great.
A humorous, light, easy-to-listen-to story following the colliding paths of the naive girl Asmira and mischievously chaotic demon (djinni) Bartimaeus.
A humorous, light, easy-to-listen-to story following the colliding paths of the naive girl Asmira and mischievously chaotic demon (djinni) Bartimaeus.
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Bartimaeus, the wise cracking djinni, is back in a prequel to [a:Jonathan Stroud|33467|Jonathan Stroud|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1204664708p2/33467.jpg]’s hilarious trilogy. This time he is a slave of a magician in the court of King Solomon. Solomon rules with an iron fist upon which rests a most powerful ring. At the same time Asmira, a guard of the Queen of Sheba, arrives to assassinate Solomon as he has threatened to destroy Sheba. When Asmira becomes Bartimaeus’s master they both discover that things in both courts are not quite what they seem.
This is the first time I’ve read a print copy one of [a:Jonathan Stroud|33467|Jonathan Stroud|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1204664708p2/33467.jpg]'s books; I listened to the Bartimaeus trilogy and [b:Heroes of the Valley|3453791|Heroes of the Valley|Jonathan Stroud|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255646915s/3453791.jpg|3494969]. I have to admit that the Bartimaeus books work better for me in audio because the footnotes are integrated right into the audio text, and it can be jarring (but worth it) to jump down to the footnotes in the print copy. Once again Stroud has created multifaceted characters who never quite fit into neat little good or evil boxes. While this title stands alone as far as plot, readers not familiar with Bartimaeus will be clamoring to read the additional titles.
This is the first time I’ve read a print copy one of [a:Jonathan Stroud|33467|Jonathan Stroud|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1204664708p2/33467.jpg]'s books; I listened to the Bartimaeus trilogy and [b:Heroes of the Valley|3453791|Heroes of the Valley|Jonathan Stroud|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255646915s/3453791.jpg|3494969]. I have to admit that the Bartimaeus books work better for me in audio because the footnotes are integrated right into the audio text, and it can be jarring (but worth it) to jump down to the footnotes in the print copy. Once again Stroud has created multifaceted characters who never quite fit into neat little good or evil boxes. While this title stands alone as far as plot, readers not familiar with Bartimaeus will be clamoring to read the additional titles.