Amulet of Samarkand Audiobook is a captivating story written by Jonathan Stroud. This book is part of a trilogy called The Bartimaeus Sequence and was first published in 2003. The story is set in a parallel universe where magicians rule over commoners using their supernatural powers. The protagonist of the book is a young magician's apprentice named Nathaniel, who possesses immense talent and ambition. He is determined to become a powerful magician and rise to the top of the magical hierarchy. Nathaniel's life takes a dramatic turn when he is assigned the task of stealing a powerful amulet, the Amulet of Samarkand, from the ruthless magician Simon Lovelace.
Released in 2004 this is a book with seemingly two purposes and only two.
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. 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.
Nathaniel's life takes a dramatic turn when he is assigned the task of stealing a powerful amulet, the Amulet of Samarkand, from the ruthless magician Simon Lovelace. The Amulet of Samarkand is said to contain immense power and is highly coveted by magicians in this world. It is believed that whoever possesses this amulet can control and summon powerful entities from the Other Place, a realm where powerful demons reside.
The Amulet Of Samarkand
The first volume in the epic, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence.
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 readers of all ages.
Read more- Published: 1 December 2010
- ISBN: 9780552562799
- Imprint: Corgi Childrens
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 496
- RRP: $19.99
- Fiction & true stories
About the author
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 in a publishing firm. He is also the author of the best-selling BARTIMAEUS sequence, which is published in 35 languages and has sold 6 million copies worldwide, and also of four other novels: HEROES OF THE VALLEY, THE LAST SIEGE, 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.
Read moreAlso by Jonathan Stroud
Praise for The Amulet Of Samarkand
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
Terrific stuff
Mail on Sunday
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
Nathaniel, eager to prove himself, successfully steals the amulet but soon finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of magical politics and betrayal. Throughout the book, Nathaniel forms an unlikely alliance with a djinni named Bartimaeus, who becomes his loyal servant. Bartimaeus is a cunning and sarcastic spirit from the Other Place, and his wit and charm bring a sense of humor and intrigue to the story. As Nathaniel navigates the dangerous world of magic, he discovers the dark underbelly of the magical society he longed to be part of. He realizes that power and ambition come at a cost, and he must choose between his own desires and doing what is right. The Amulet of Samarkand Audiobook is a thrilling tale filled with magical battles, political intrigue, and complex characters. It explores themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Jonathan Stroud's vivid storytelling and well-developed characters make this book a compelling read for both young adult and adult readers alike. Overall, the Amulet of Samarkand Audiobook is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. It combines elements of magic, mystery, and suspense to create an engaging and entertaining story that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Whether you choose to read the physical book or listen to the audiobook, you are sure to be immersed in the enchanting world of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus..
Reviews for "Amulets and Beyond: Exploring the Magic of Samarkand's Charms"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Amylet of Samarkand" audiobook. The narration was bland and lacked enthusiasm, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The voice acting felt forced and unnatural, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the sound quality was poor, and there were moments where the audio seemed to fade in and out. Overall, I did not enjoy my experience with this audiobook and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I expected more from the "Amylet of Samarkand" audiobook. While the story itself was intriguing, the narrator's voice was grating and monotone, making it hard to follow along and stay interested. The pacing also felt off, with long pauses between sentences that disrupted the flow of the narrative. I was hoping for a more engaging and dynamic performance, but unfortunately, this audiobook fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 1 star - I found the "Amylet of Samarkand" audiobook to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The narrator's voice lacked emotion and failed to bring the characters to life. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and often found my mind wandering. Additionally, there were several technical issues with the audio, including background noise and occasional distortion. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this audiobook and would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars - The "Amylet of Samarkand" audiobook left a lot to be desired. The narrator's voice was flat and lacked any sort of variation, which made it difficult to distinguish between different characters and understand their emotions. The pacing was also uneven, with rushed sections followed by slow, drawn-out scenes. I had high hopes for this audiobook, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
5. David - 1 star - I struggled to even finish the "Amylet of Samarkand" audiobook. The narration was dry and lacked any sort of enthusiasm. It felt like the narrator was simply reading the words without any real connection to the story. Additionally, I found the audio quality to be subpar, with constant background noise and occasional static. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this audiobook and would not recommend it to others.