This is one of my favorite childrens book of all time, primarily because of the great characterization of its protagonist, Bartimaeus. Also, I don’t know how the author managed it, but his two heroes had such a bland relationship — even when fighting or hating each other. In an alternate London where the British Empire dominates the world through control of magic, and commoners are governed by the ruling class of magicians, five-year-old Nathaniel begins an apprenticeship to magician Arthur Underwood, Minister of Internal Affairs. Bartimaeus isn't making it easy for him) this book is a full of humor and helps us to know the true meaning of friendship a little better. He uses a lot of footnotes in his narrative, supposedly because it is the only way to allow us lowly humans to grasp his complicated operatus mondi (he doesn’t think too highly of us, does he!

Underwood's death and forces Bartimaeus to help by reminding him of the rosemary tin should he betray him. Jabor is summoned to destroy Bartimaeus but is tricked into flying toward the summoning rift and is trapped in its attractive field. It probably isn’t a format I will do back to often but it had made me more open to trying other stories told in this format. Bartimaeus lives in a world where magicians gain their power not from magic, but rather controlling otherworld entities through words and symbols. The book on tape is narrated by Simon Jones (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy mini-series narrator), who does a great job.Bartimaeus: the Amulet of Samarkand is highly recommended as an enthralling, darkly humorous read for older children and adults!

An angered Bartimaeus threatens to kill him because he believes that either way he will end up in the tin and encourages Nathaniel to free him then and now, but resolves to try to keep him alive after Nathaniel promises to free him after this final task. Before long, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, rebellion, and murder. The graphic novel format is a great way to engage reluctnat readers, present difficult subject matter in an accesible way, as well as to just enjoy a great read. While this audiobook was a different experience, I can't say reading it again (as many people have suggested/insisted) made me like it any better. He has a big ego, he gets in trouble with his smart-Alec remarks, and he has great contempt for humans.Another would be how the pov flitters back and forth between the two main characters - at breakneck speed by the end - too much for my taste, but that's a minor, personal annoyance and doesn't really damage the story too much. Siapa yang tidak terkejut ketika akan membayar buku di kasir Periplus buku ini ada di sebelah mesin kasir? 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.