I love listening to books when I can't read them. But I am rather picky about narrators. With the wrong narrator, I can't even make it through a book I highly enjoyed reading. In the car, or working around the house with my iPod docked, I listen to children's books because I have two small children and I don't want them hearing profanity or adult content. All that being said, this is the ONLY book that I have ever become completely enthralled with in the first 5 minutes of listening! The author was extremely witty and Simon Jones does an excellent job. I can't say enough about Simon Jones with this set of books!!! He easily replaced Jim Dale as my favorite narrator (which I thought could never happen). Some kids books are hard to listen to- this one is not. I can't imagine anyone, old or young, not enjoying this book and this series!

Don't buy this to help you sleep, there isn't a second of downtime--something exciting is always happening.

A super nice romp of sarcasm, wit and deviltry. you gotta love it. Young adult-ish perhaps, but hey, i'm not collecting social security and i liked it. the whole trilogy is okay, this is definately the star. and hey, lighten up and enjoy a nice story. I liked it more than the last Harry Potter book - which frankly was getting a bit stale.

I rarely write reviews and this is the first I have been inspired to write while still listening, but I am simply entranced. The writing evokes immediate gorgeous visual imagery. The combination of genuinely funny, scary and magical themes is also hard to beat. I can't wait to get in the car and hear more. Yet I don't want to finish this book!

I am a pretty tough critic. And this was fabulous. It took me a bit of listening before I was into it, but then I fell in love. It is sassy, spunky, full of interesting characters that you really get to know. You can smell, taste and feel the story as it unwinds. Strong plot. Simon Jones is fabulous as a narrator. Great voice, great pace, easy to understand. My eight year old daughter loved it, my 12 year old son as well. Ditch your Harry Potter and give this a listen. I am about to start Book Two today.

I picked this book up by accident at a friend's house because their 12-year-old was reading it. I loved LOTR but have never been interested in Harry Potter. Couldn't put the book down and when I got home immediately ordered it on Audible. Simon Jones makes it twice as fun with his terrific characters. Buy it!!

I've just finished listening to this title for the second time; I loved The Amulet... the first time for its engrossing tale and wonderfully quirky characters, and the second for its sly wit and clever narration. Stroud has written a book that appeals to both my inner ten year old and the literary snob in me, and Simon Jones gives the book the narration it deserves. This is worth your listening time and your money.

If you have scanned the reviews you will notice some of the negatives compare this novel with Harry Potter. Plain and simple, this is a great book, but if you want Harry P. then for crying out loud read Harry P. There are some points in the book that will remind you of J.K. Rowlings character but in my opinion the character in this book (Nathaniel) is much more human. However the real star of this book is Bartimaeus a spirit conjured by Nathaniel,the character really could not have been written any better than he was. You will get a good understanding of this with in the first chapter. Adults and kids will both love this book as long as they realize that only Harry Potter can be Harry Potter otherwise it would be plagerism.....thank goodness for that.

I'm not a big fantasy fan. I listened to this book to see if my 10 year old son would like it. I was captivated by it. The author has a great sense of humor and good character development. The story was compelling. It was a lot like the X-files, it took a lot of previously used ideas and packaged them in an exciting story with high production values.I'm looking forward to volume 2, and so is my son.

Simon Jones renders the droll, long-suffering djin Bartimaeus to perfection. His nuance of voice and timing make the characters laugh out loud funny at times.