Amulet of Samarkand

The Amulet of Samarkand is the first title in the New York Times bestselling Bartimaeus series by Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood & Co. - a global No.1 show on Netflix. **Note: There is a chance the book cover you receive may differ from the cover displayed here.** When a young magician's apprentice secretly summons an irascible 5,000 year old djinni to do his bidding, neither are prepared for the peril that ensues. Nathaniel is plotting the downfall of his nemesis - a ruthless magician by the name of Simon Lovelace - and tasks Bartimaeus to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from him, in order to exact his revenge. But before long, Nathaniel and Bartimaeus are caught up in a terrifying adventure much bigger than either of them anticipated, involving intrigue, rebellion and murder... Set in an alternate London controlled by magicians, this hilarious and electrifying series will enthral readers of all ages. Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling - Independent A thrilling tale of magic and adventure with deliciously pointed comedy - The Times.

Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling * Independent * The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative * Guardian * The narrative slips skilfully from first person to third and back and Bartimaeus's voice is laugh-out-loud sassy, while Nathaniel's story has an engaging poignancy as he tries to prove himself in a world in which he has always been despised * The Sunday Times * Not since Gulliver's Travels has a children's writer managed to combine a thrilling tale of magic and adventure with such deliciously pointed comedy * The Times * Terrific stuff * Mail on Sunday *.

Reviews

Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford in 1970. After studying English Literature at York University, he moved to London, where he worked as an editor at a publishing firm. He is the author of the best-selling Bartimaeus series; the much-beloved Lockwood & Co. series (now a major Netflix series) as well as The Notorious Scarlett & Browne; Heroes of the Valley; The Last Seige; The Leap and Buried Fire. He lives in Hertfordshire with his family. He has yet to see a ghost, but is keeping his eyes open.