Rating: 
Summary: Fun, fast-paced, well-written
Review: I enjoyed this book and would actually give it 4 1/2 stars. In the beginning, I felt it ranked as high as Harry Potter. In the end, perhaps less so.To me, these are the book's strengths:
1. Original setting in a modern-day London with magicians ruling the country.
2. Fun character in Bartimaeus and the other spirits.
3. Interesting setup between Nathaniel and Lovelace. Interesting relationship between Nathaniel and Bartimaeus.
4. Good writing. Funny asides by Bartimaeus. Vivid and dramatic scenes. And the weaknesses:
1. Bad magicians with no complexity or redeeming qualities. Too one-dimensional sometimes.
2. A little schizophrenia on the part of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus. One minute, they're cold and heartless. The next, they're having a crisis of conscience and/or crying. Bartimaeus is supposed to be a rather scary entity, but sometimes he's just pretty darn sweet.
3. Nathaniel gets lucky too often, especially at the end. Basically, he wins through the incompetence of everyone else. Sometimes, he doesn't deserve to win due to his pig-headedness and lack of common sense. Having said that, though, it was a fun read that was hard to put down. I would recommend it (and already have to several people) and plan to read the other books in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Only half the book was enjoyable...
Review: ...the half that was narrated by the demon. Maybe I've been spoiled to thinking that all boy wizards should be overly heroic (*shakes fist as Harry Potter*), and the boy Nathaniel had definite potential in the beginning of the book, but by the end I could think nothing but, "Lords above, QUIT YOUR WHINING AND GO BACK TO BARTIMAEUS!" I thought the idea of magic in this book was much more sophisticated than it is in Harry Potter, indeed, when if you summon a demon and step out of your protective pentacle the demon can proceed to kill you on the spot. The realness of the magic, the social commentary on how humans work, especially in politcal systems, was very between the lines but could also be enlightening to a middle schooler. Basically, I started out enthralled with the book, I loved everything about it. But soon, Nathaniel became just another petulant boy, and I really wanted the book to end. The only enduring character in this book is Bartimaeus, who is both very entertaining (his commentary on humans is always interesting), but I also felt extreme pity for him to have to put up with Nathaniel. His angst at having the boy for a master came through to me as a reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: This was one amazing book. The plot gives stability and the seriousness needed to ground the book, while the subtle jokes in footnotes by the djinn Bartimaeus add laughter and an element of humor. Nathaniel is an apprentice in a modern day London run by magicians who call upon beings from the other realm: imps, "foliots", djinni, "afrits", "marids", and the like. He is publicly humiliated by Lovelace, and is angered into seeking revenge. Underestimated by Mr. Underwood, his master, and Mr. Lovelace, his sole companionship is in the form of Mrs. Underwood- his master's wife, Miss Lutyens- his soon fired teacher, and a surly imp contained in a copper disk used for scrying. He goes far beyond what a child his age should know, and summons a fairly high ranking ancient djinn with an interesting sense of humor and a much used gift for sarcasm: Bartimaeus. Desperate, he finds a way to control Bartimaeus, and orders him to steal something from Lovelace- the Amulet of Samarkand. Little does he know that this simple wish for justified revenge will lead him through dangerous times filled with intrigue, murder, and political messes (and general lawlessness). This was an amazing book: I strongly recommend it to all those with an interest in a not-too-serious, fantasy book.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic book, very well read
Review: I got this audio on a whim and didn't know what to expect. What a lucky break for me! This book is fantastic. It's definitely dark, with dark motivations (revenge, humiliation, lack of love) for a young boy. Nevertheless, you can't help but root for this poor, brilliant boy. The genie is wonderfully witty, and the chapters told from his point of view are some of the best and most original. I hurried to get the next book in the trilogy and was bitterly disappointed to learn the next audio is not due out until August. The person who reads this book on audio is perfect, and adds to the experience. I'm an adult, but I want my 10 year old to listen to the Amulet of Samarkand as well. It's appropriate and entertaining for all ages.
Rating:
Summary: Applause for the amulet. Applause indeed.
Review: The publishing world is always on a constant prowl for the "next" Harry Potter series. Who is it that will steal the crown from Britain's reigning fantasy king? One of the newest contenders comes in the form of Jonathan Stroud's detailed "Bartimaeus Trilogy". The first book in this series "The Amulet of Samarkand" (other books have not, as of this review, been published in America yet) begins what many hope will become the new "it" series. Cleverly combining facets of European and Asian lore, the book is a fascinating character study into the nature of good and bad. Filled with far more complex imaginings than your average fantasy let's-throw-in-some-brief-historical-facts book, this tale is penned beautifully and is a worthy series within its own right. We begin with a bang of a beginning. Most authors, no matter if they are writing for adults or children, like to start slowly and build their tale with a heaping helping of exposition. Not Stroud. In this book we begin with an exciting summoning of the djinni Bartimaeus by a twelve year-old boy. The boy, Nathaniel, wishes to avenge himself against a powerful wizard. As the plot follows Bartimaeus's quest to retrieve the Amulet of Samarkand (as the boy has instructed him to do) we are simultaneously brought up to speed on Nathaniel's life and world. This is London, but a sort of alternative reality London. In this world, wizards rule over the commoners (non-magic types) in government positions and teach children as apprentices. Nathaniel is such an apprentice, bound to an incompetent master. When he is shamed in front of a group of wizards by one Simon Lovelace (a man far more powerful than his own master) Nathaniel seeks nothing but revenge. So there you have it. This is a tale about a boy and his smart alecky djinni. As the book takes pains to explain, demons (like the djinni) are regularly summoned by wizards to do their dirty work. Humans are, by and large, incapable of magic and simply summon spirits of one sort or another to do magic for them. Bartimaeus isn't thrilled by this proposition, but he is unwillingly bound to a boy that burns with hate and a bit of the old "eye for an eye". The djinni's displeasure is regularly voiced by clever footnotes placed strategically at the bottom of several pages. Often Bartimaeus's commentary is the great spice of the book. Nathaniel is a less than humorous individual, though he is capable of deadpan humor. The book is, itself, an interesting fantasy. Like the Artemis Fowl books, it has presented the reader with an unsympathetic hero. In this case, you're dealing with a proud and intelligent but ultimately foolish boy. Nathaniel is nothing so much as another version of Ged from Ursula LeGuin's "The Wizard of Earthsea". The difference here, however, is that Nathaniel doesn't grow as much as you might suspect throughout the course of the story. And here's where it all gets very very interesting. The essential nature of what is good and what is bad is all topsy-turvy. Bartimaeus is the rare character I've read in a fantasy story that is truly of an alien nature. If he does good things for others, it's usually out of some self-preserving intention or accompanied with a sly jab. Usually, Bartimaeus is willing to kill anyone and anything about him, including his own master. Don't expect these characters to follow the old buddy movie routine and grow closer over the course of the tale. These two have a lot of healthy distrust growing between them, and it's a pleasure to watch. But how easy is it to read about two people that are, for all intents and purposes, fatally flawed? Quite, as it happens. I'm always amused at the amount of anti-"magic in Harry Potter" outrage there is in the world. Let us consider this book, for example. In this story you have characters regularly drawing pentacles on the ground to summon up demons from another realm. If there's a more objectionable idea lodged in a children's book to a heavily religious right-wing Christian conservative, I'd love to hear it. I will say right here and now that I, personally, don't find anything objectionable in this story. Bartimaeus himself makes it very clear that he despises this system wherein demons are forced as slaves to work for humans. On meeting up with an Uncle Tom type of demon, his venom is clearly displayed. Moreover, the series seems to be taking a rather anti-magician stance, though this is elaborated on less in the plot of this first book than it will in future books in the series, I imagine. The book is nothing so much as a cross between Artemis Fowl (more likable) and Harry Potter (more detailed) with a dash of Wizard of Earthsea for color. Stroud's writing is fantastic. He has obviously detailed every inch of this new world out to the nth degree, and you never get the sense that the book has gone on too long (a flaw I found in "Inkheart") or that he doesn't know how to end it. I will state for the record that this is an incredibly enjoyable read. Bartimeus even allows himself a small jab at the Harry Potter series (see page 85 for his quip about wizards being bussed to boarding school) which is utterly in keeping with his character. And though this book wasn't overflowing with strong female characters, they exist. I suspect we'll be seeing far more of them in the future books in the series than we have thus far. Call it a hunch. Currently this book stands at 462 pages. A hefty read, but nothing a fascinated kid won't be able to handle. I recently wrote in my review of "Mortal Engines" (highly recommend it, by the way) that that book was the true successor to Harry Potter. I may have to extend that compliment to the "Bartimaeus Trilogy". Droll and fast-paced without ever growing tiresome or annoying, this is one of the best dern books to be placed in the hands of fantasy-loving kids in a while. Give it to the young 'uns to ponder over sometime. It's well worth a gander.
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't like Nathaniel!
Review: I liked Bartimaeus, but didn't like the relationship between Bartimaeus and Nathaniel. . .Nathaniel is so stupid I really didn't care what happened to him and actually stopped reading the book because of him. . .but then I wanted to see what happened to Bartimaeus so started reading again.(took me a long time to go back to the book though!) I think the author (Jonathan Stroud) should have made his little magician a little smarter. After all, he was smart enough to bring forth Bartimaeus wasn't he? Most of the time I just wanted to slap him!(Nathaniel) Don't know if I'll buy any more of the trilogy or not. . .
Rating:
Summary: BARTIMAEUS!!!
Review: Bartimaeus is a great story! Nathaniel, an 11 year old magician, gets himself into a big pickle when he takes revenge out on another magician who humiliated him in public. In doing so, he summons Bartimaeus to steal the magician's mysterious Amulet of Samarkand. From there, he gets wrapped up in murder, mayhem, and all around good stuff to keep you busy and wanting more! My favorite character is Bartimaeus, a witty, clever, and funny djinni. And I mean funny in every sense of the word! ^_^
Rating:
Summary: Perfect ^_^
Review: I will concur that there are certain similarities with this book and Harry Potter. The whole magical England thing and the dislike of the commoner/muggle by the magical folk. However, this book is very different, and for the better! First, most magicians are ambitious and generally not nice people. Second, in the Amulet of Samarkand the magic comes from the demons. Without them the magicians would be powerless. I have also read a number of reviews stating that Nathaniel is not likable, but I don't agree. I love him! He is smart, ambitious and very interesting. If you like Artemis Fowl you will like this kid ^_^ Finally, there is Bartimaeus himself. What more can I say? He is great! So funny and clever. All in all, I really love this book. I can't wait for the next one. But, it's not Harry Potter, nor should it be. It is perfect the way it is!
Rating:
Summary: JOURNEYMAN EFFORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Review: Two things keep this from being just another average young adult fantasy story. The first being that part of the story is told from the viewpoint of Bartimaeus, a centuries old djinni who finds himself enslaved by a 12 year old magician. His cynical and hard-bitten views of his enslavement, its something that happens quite often to djinni, is unique and often very amusing. The second unique aspect of this book is the young protagonist Nathan. Sold to the magicians at a young age he is brought up as an apprentice by a thoroughly despicable master magician. We find this is not unusual as most magicians in this alternate universe are thoroughly despicable. Magicians rule the world using their ability to control various spirits like the djinni's, it is not an especially benevolent dictatorship. What is unique about Nathan is that he is fairly unlikable. He's a brat, a genius and as it turns out a fairly powerful magician. Also for once he is a 12 year old boy who really acts like a 12 year old. Given power he doesn't have the emotional maturity to control it. He panics, makes mistakes and generally causes a real mess of things. He believes that it is natural for magicians to control the normal's and certainly has no intention of helping them in their rebellion. Like I said he's not very likable. If you're like me you will start rooting for the djinni early and often. Nathan is no Harry Potter. Although it has a fairly simple plot and weak characters it is exciting enough to captivate the attention of younger readers, I don't think adults will get as much enjoyment out of this one as other examples of young adult lit. Still it is suitable and age appropriate for young adults and for them I certainly RECOMMEND it.
Rating:
Summary: Amulet of Samakand
Review: This book is so cool i can't wait for the next one. i keep reading it over and over again. it is so good i reccomended it to my reading group.
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