The Amulet of Samarkand

By: Jonathan Stroud

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The first volume in the brilliant, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence.

When the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, he expects to have to do nothing more taxing than a little levitation or a few simple illusions. But Nathaniel is a precocious talent and has something rather more dangerous in mind: revenge. Against his will, Bartimaeus is packed off to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, both djinni and apprentice are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, murder and rebellion.

Set in a modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, electrifying thriller will enthral listeners of all ages.

©2007 Jonathan Stroud (P)2007 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling." (The 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 Review)
"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." (Sunday Times)

Disappointed with abridged version, but great

Any additional comments?

I've read this trilogy, plus the additional Ring of Solomon, countless times over the years, each time finding the series tremendously enjoyable and entertaining. Not many books in the magic fantasy genre tell the story from the pov of the non-magician. This particular djinni is witty and cheeky. I recommend this book to anyone I know that enjoys any kind of fantasy fiction.

That said, I have to say I'm extremely disappointed this was an abridged version. One unique feature of this book is that the author has included footnotes, where the djinni telling the story has included interesting (and often sarcastic) snippets in them, such as cats having the ability to see up to plane #2, while some extra perceptive humans can see parts of the higher planes, and therefore claim they can see ghosts. Unfortunately, these footnotes are not included in this version. I guess an abridged version is the best way they can include some sense of these footnotes in the narration, but I find the footnotes to be much more enjoyable.

I'll probably stop listening after book 1 and continue reading e-books myself for the rest of the series, so that I can refer to the footnotes.

A very fun and amusing read

This is a book which is not very heavy with no new magical systems. It uses the somewhat alladin and jinnie type of story in the backdrop of london. But still making it very enjoyable.

Excellent all over again

I love the characters and the pace of the story, clever and fast. I love Bartimaeus his sarcasm is sharp

It was amazing.

Really good writing and amazing Voice actor. buying the next one in the series now🙂

Truly Magical

I am a big fan of this whole trilogy and the audio version certainly does the book justice - you will not be disapointed with this one. Loved by children from 7 up and the parents too!

Imagine a world ruled by magicians deriving their power from their ability to control Djinn. The Sassy Djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a 12 year old apprentice. Very clever and thoroughly enjoyable mayhem ensues.

Highlights include cunning use of accepted mythology to enhance reality, superb characterisation, great villains and a very interesting sideways look at the recent past of Europe. Listeners will be delighted to learn that there is not a hint of Harry Potterness about this.

Even better is that there are two more books in the series which build on the plot very effectively.

You really want to download this!

Thoroughly enjoyed it

Where does The Amulet of Samarkand rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I haven't listened to too many audio books but this one is awesome.

What about Steven Pacey’s performance did you like?

I felt like he captured the way Bartimaeus would talk, he was excellent to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed multiple times. Highly recommend this book for a good time.