"The Amulet of Samarkand" is the first book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, written by Jonathan Stroud. This fantasy novel follows the story of a young magician's apprentice named Nathaniel, as he navigates a world filled with djinn, spirits, and magic. The audio version of "The Amulet of Samarkand" is a fantastic way to experience this thrilling tale. Narrated by Steven Pacey, the audiobook brings the characters and their world to life through his engaging and captivating performance. Pacey's ability to give each character a unique voice and personality adds depth to the story and enhances the overall listening experience. His portrayal of the snarky and witty djinni Bartimaeus is especially noteworthy, as he truly captures the essence of the character's charm and humor.
As for Bartimaeus….I love him. I suppose the whole “sassy other-worldly creature” trope is old at this point, but dammit if I didn’t find him endlessly entertaining. His interactions with others of his kind are some of my favorite moments as you get a clear understanding of how “demon” culture works. I thought the bullet-points were a bit excessive in places, but on the other hand it gives the curious reader more insight all without bogging down the plot with unnecessary details.
It makes sense for this to be the case as Nathaniel, a 12 year-old boy, isn t going to care about adult things that don t directly effect him, and yet we, the readers, can ascertain what is really going on in the world these characters live in. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who s boss.
His portrayal of the snarky and witty djinni Bartimaeus is especially noteworthy, as he truly captures the essence of the character's charm and humor. Listening to the audiobook allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of "The Amulet of Samarkand" and experience the story in a new and engaging way. It provides a different perspective on the narrative, allowing listeners to pick up on details and nuances that they might have missed while reading the book.
The Amulet of Samarkand, Book 1 (Bartimaeus) - Hardcover
Presenting a thrilling new voice in children's literature-a witty, gripping adventure story featuring a boy and his not-so-tame djinni. Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he masters one of the toughest spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, blackmail, and revolt. Set in a modern-day London spiced with magicians and mayhem, this extraordinary, funny, pitch-perfect thriller will dazzle the myriad fans of Artemis Fowl and the His Dark Materials trilogy. And with the rights sold in more than a dozen countries, and a major motion picture in the works, the Bartimaeus trilogy is on the fast track to becoming a classic.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:Nathaniel is a boy magician-in-training, sold to the government by his birth parents at the age of five and sent to live as an apprentice to a master. Powerful magicians rule Britain, and its empire, and Nathaniel is told his is the "ultimate sacrifice" for a "noble destiny." If leaving his parents and erasing his past life isn't tough enough, Nathaniel's master, Arthur Underwood, is a cold, condescending, and cruel middle-ranking magician in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The boy's only saving grace is the master's wife, Martha Underwood, who shows him genuine affection that he rewards with fierce devotion. Nathaniel gets along tolerably well over the years in the Underwood household until the summer before his eleventh birthday. Everything changes when he is publicly humiliated by the ruthless magician Simon Lovelace and betrayed by his cowardly master who does not defend him.
Nathaniel vows revenge. In a Faustian fever, he devours magical texts and hones his magic skills, all the while trying to appear subservient to his master. When he musters the strength to summon the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus to avenge Lovelace by stealing the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, the boy magician plunges into a situation more dangerous and deadly than anything he could ever imagine. In British author Jonathan Stroud's excellent novel, the first of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, the story switches back and forth from Bartimaeus's first-person point of view to third-person narrative about Nathaniel. Here's the best part: Bartimaeus is absolutely hilarious, with a wit that snaps, crackles, and pops. His dryly sarcastic, irreverent asides spill out into copious footnotes that no one in his or her right mind would skip over. A sophisticated, suspenseful, brilliantly crafted, dead-funny book that will leave readers anxious for more. (Ages 11 to adult) --Karin Snelson
From the Inside Flap:The first audiobook in a thrilling new trilogy about an apprentice magician and the powerful djinni he summons.
Nathaniel is a young magician with only one thing on his mind: revenge.
As an apprentice to the great magician Underwood, Nathaniel is gradually being schooled in the traditional art of magic. All is well until he has a life-changing encounter with Simon Lovelace, a rising, star magician. When Simon brutally humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to speed up his magical education, teaching himself spells way beyond his years. Eventually, he masters one of the most difficult spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimeus.
But summoning Bartimeus and controlling him are two very different things--and Nathaniel may be in way over his head.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Presenting a thrilling new voice in children's literature-a witty, gripping adventure story featuring a boy and his not-so-tame djinni. Nathaniel is a young magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hotshot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he masters one of the toughest spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, blackmail, and revolt. Set in a modern-day London spiced with magicians and mayhem, this extraordinary, funny, pitch-perfect thriller will dazzle the myriad fans of Artemis Fowl and the His Dark Materials trilogy. And with the rights sold in more than a dozen countries, and a major motion picture in the works, the Bartimaeus trilogy is on the fast track to becoming a classic.
The pacing of the audiobook also helps to build tension and suspense, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats throughout the story. One of the advantages of the audio version is the ability to enjoy the book while engaging in other activities. Whether it's commuting, exercising, or doing household chores, the audio format makes it easy to multi-task and still enjoy the story. This makes "The Amulet of Samarkand" accessible to a wide audience, including those who might not have the time or inclination to sit down and read a physical book. Overall, the free audio version of "The Amulet of Samarkand" is a fantastic way to experience this captivating and imaginative story. Steven Pacey's narration brings the characters and world to life, making the listening experience enjoyable and immersive. Whether you're a fan of fantasy novels or simply looking for a gripping tale, this audiobook is definitely worth a listen..
Reviews for "Discover the Secrets of The Amulet of Samarkand through Free Audio"
1. John - 2 stars - The free audio version of The Amulet of Samarkand was a disappointment for me. While the story itself was intriguing, the narration was lacking. The narrator's voice was monotonous and didn't bring any excitement or life to the characters. It felt like he was just reading off a script without any emotion or enthusiasm. I struggled to stay engaged and found myself zoning out throughout the book. I would recommend reading the physical version instead of listening to the audio version if you want to fully enjoy this story.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I didn't enjoy The Amulet of Samarkand in its free audio version. The narrator's voice was grating and annoying, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the audio quality was poor, with background noises and inconsistent volume levels. It was a frustrating experience that took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. I decided to switch to reading the physical version instead, and it was a much better experience. I would advise others to skip the free audio version and opt for the printed copy.
3. Mark - 2 stars - The free audio version of The Amulet of Samarkand left me unimpressed. The narrator's pacing was inconsistent, often rushing through important scenes and slowing down unnecessarily in others. It made it difficult to follow the story and fully appreciate the world-building and character development. Additionally, there were technical issues with the audio, with frequent interruptions and background noise. I would recommend finding a different version of the audiobook or reading the physical copy instead to fully enjoy this fantasy novel.