A review by reubendb
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

4.0

Having approached the Bartimaeus Trilogy years after my peak PotterMania days I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wise-cracking djinn, smart young upstart (but not too smart to the point it seems unbelievable), improbable situations with no obvious solution or escape, I was impressed! Stroud does an equally excellent job creating a magically universe that is still remarkably unique with diluted lines between who exactly the pro and antagonist really are (I am speaking outside of the viewpoint of the two main characters, Nathaniel and Bartimaeus). Are wizards really that grand? They are back-stabbing and arrogant! Who is the non-magical resistance? Freedom Fighters or Terrorists? Where does the realm of magical creatures fall in? It creates a whole new ‘wizarding world’ that is quick to sink your teeth into at any age.