The Bartimaeus Trilogy

I searched and found nothing, delete if there is a thread about this:

I love these books, this is definately in no way a rip off of Harry Potter, Jonathan Stroud is a great author, he likes writting from different PoV, the first two books are
The Amulet of Samarkand
The Golem's Eye, and the third which comes out soon i think is going to be called Ptolemy's Gate

I love this series, has anybody else read these books

has anybody read these or not?

I haven't but i like to get suggestions, so would you recommend them?

I haven't read the second, but the first was marvelous. Unlike Harry Potter, they are set in a world simular to this one, not an extention of this one. I highly recomend it.

I haven't read the second, but the first was marvelous. Unlike Harry Potter, they are set in a world simular to this one, not an extention of this one. I highly recomend it.
are they readable by all ages?

are they readable by all ages?
yea i'd say so

I've read those! I thought they were brilliant! Does anyone know when the next one comes out?

Whoa i love these books but i havent finished the second. They way its written is awsm from the different PoVs. Batrimaeus jsut plain owns. o and the 3rd ones gonna be called Other World or Other Plane i forgot

i thought the next one would be called something like the other place ...

actually i thought it was going to be called Ptolemy's Gate or something

I'm currently reading The Amulet of Samarkand and am really enjoying it. It's a little too political for my taste, but it's entertaining nevertheless. However, beware fellow Harry Potter fans: the so called magicians in this book are NOT presented in a good light, including the main character. You'll find yourself sympathizing more with the "djinns" or "demons" of the story that nurse an all consuming contempt for the magicians (and with good reason too).

I'm surprised there aren't more fans of the series in this forum. Only 9 replies? :shrug:

Yes i love those books. I guess i love most fantasy books and generally read them when they are just coming out. Thats my problem. I read them in hours and wait forever.*wails*

The third book is called 'Ptolemy's Gate'.

I'm so excited! Isn't Ptolemy the boy Bartimaeus changes into whenever he has to take human form? Or am I thinking of someone else...? It's a very interesting backstory that should be cool to read.

This series is brilliant. I'm extremely surprised that few people have posted here. I got all my relatives into the books, and we all are eagerly awaiting the last book of the trilogy!

The third book is called 'Ptolemy's Gate'.

Yes, that is the boy Bartimaeus morphs into in AoS. Consequently, he's also the boy that he says he once loved and respected. That oughta be interesting. Do you know when it's being released?

On another note, I've heard that Bartimaeus isn't as prominent in Golem's Eye as he is in AoS. I hope that's not the case. I looove Barti. :cool: He adds so much zest and life to the book. And I happen to sympathize more with him than with Nathaniel. I dislike most of the magicians depicted in the book, actually.

I've read the first two, and they were both really good. I like how the whole magic system works - it's much more interesting than in most books I've read. Bartimaeus' footnotes can get a bit disruptive sometimes, but they're a nice touch and make him even more likeable.
On another note, I've heard that Bartimaeus isn't as prominent in Golem's Eye as he is in AoS.From what I can remember, that is the case, unfortunately. It's still a good book, though most people I know liked the first one better.
And yeah the third one is indeed called Ptolemy's Gate. There was a bookmark adverting it in the copy of Eldest I had a look at (but didn't buy) in Waterstones. I really hope we get to find out why Bartimaeus liked Ptolemy so much...

Oh I love these books. I'm an avid fantasy reader and these are in my top five. I think Bartimaeus is absolutely hilarious. I love the little foot notes of his, they always make me crack up.

i have the first one, i haven't read it yet cause im reading Eragon now, i will soon , it looks good!:p

I searched and found nothing, delete if there is a thread about this:

I love these books, this is definately in no way a rip off of Harry Potter, Jonathan Stroud is a great author, he likes writting from different PoV, the first two books are
The Amulet of Samarkand
The Golem's Eye, and the third which comes out soon i think is going to be called Ptolemy's Gate

I love this series, has anybody else read these books

yo it is called the OTHER PLACE for the third book
i have read both of the books and they are a good series.
BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO HARRY POTTER!

yo it is called the OTHER PLACE for the third book
i have read both of the books and they are a good series.
BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO HARRY POTTER!

I just did a search at Chapters' site and it said it was called Ptolemys Gate, and I think the release date was October 3rd or something.

yo it is called the OTHER PLACE for the third book
i have read both of the books and they are a good series.
BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO HARRY POTTER!

It was originally called 'The Other Place', but the title was soon switched to 'Ptolemy's Gate'. If you want to see the (AMAZING!) cover, you can search it on Amazon.com. The book looks awesome just by looking at the cover.

On Amazon it lists the book coming out January 1, 2006. Barnes and Noble lists it at December 27, 2005. The dates aren't too far from each other.

Here's a synopsis from barnesandnoble.com:

Three years have passed since the magician Nathaniel helped prevent a cataclysmic attack on London. Now an established member of the British Government, he faces unprecedented problems: foreign wars are going badly, Britain’s enemies are mounting attacks close to London, and rebellion is fermenting among the commoners. Increasingly imperious and distracted, Nathaniel is treating Bartimaeus worse than ever. The long-suffering djinni is growing weak and vulnerable from too much time in this world, and his patience is nearing its end.

Meanwhile, undercover in London, Kitty has been stealthily completing her research on magic, demons, and Bartimaeus’s past. She has a plan that she hopes will break the endless cycle of conflict between djinn and humans. But will anyone listen to what she has to say?

In this thrilling conclusion of the Bartimaeus trilogy, the destinies of Bartimaeus, Nathaniel, and Kitty are thrown together once more. For the first time, we will learn the secrets of Bartimaeus’s past, and get a glimpse into the Other Place -- the world of demons -- as together, the threesome must face treacherous magicians, unravel a masterfully complex conspiracy, and defeat a formidable faction of demons. And worst of all, they must somehow cope with one another....

WOOHOO! I want to find out more about Bartimaeus's history. I've been wanting to know about Ptolemy since Book 1. Can't wait!

Excellent. More dirt on Bartimaeus. I can't wait!!

Sorry for how inarticulate this is but... The Bartimaeus Trilogy PWNS. My favourite trilogy because of its razor-sharp wit, political home-truths and the fact that the main human character (normally the classic good-guy fighting against evil) is no angel. Pure class.

I read the first book ages ago, and finished reading the third book yesterday. I found the ending very touching, without being OTT.
I get a bit annoyed when people say "oh, another HP rip-off", because its characters are completely different, as is the magic they use.
Oh yeah, and it definitely "PWNS" :)

I've read those! I thought they were brilliant! Does anyone know when the next one comes out?

this month, i'm not all that sure when thou, the last of *** trilogy is called Potlmys(sp) Gate.

I read the first book ages ago, and finished reading the third book yesterday. I found the ending very touching, without being OTT.
I get a bit annoyed when people say "oh, another HP rip-off", because its characters are completely different, as is the magic they use.
Oh yeah, and it definitely "PWNS" :)

where do you come from, because it's not in any bookshop i've been too.

Yes i love those books. I guess i love most fantasy books and generally read them when they are just coming out. Thats my problem. I read them in hours and wait forever.*wails*

me too.

I've read them both and Bartimaeus is an amazing charachter. I like the footnotes, as it represents his thoughts on a different level.

I read the first book ages ago, and finished reading the third book yesterday. I found the ending very touching, without being OTT.


Don't you mean the second book? The third book doesn't come out till December.

Anywho, I can't wait for Ptolemy's Gate. I'm guessing we'll finally get to find out who the famous Ptolemy was and what exactly he did for Barty. He might be the "key" to the entire series. Anyone have any theories/predictions as to what might happen?

p.s.: oh and, this is random, but I find Jonathan Stroud to be a much better writer than JK. :whistle:

I read the first Bartimaeus and loved it. I love the footnotes, they are purely genious in my opinion- something taht has never been done before by any other author. Great books, would highly reccomend!

I read the first Bartimaeus and loved it. I love the footnotes, they are purely genious in my opinion- something taht has never been done before by any other author. Great books, would highly reccomend!

i'm sure some other auther (I'm I havn't spelt that right) has done it before... can't think, I thought Tolkien done it (not to sure have to check that one out havn't read the LOTR since college 3 years ago and read many other books since then), not in the same way , but for the same purpose to give extra information.

Yeah, some author has more than likely done it before, but not in such a great way as Jonathan Stroud has. Has anyone else read some of his other books? I read "Burried Fire" last year. It was very good.

i've put his books on my xmas list.
yes i know a bit early, but huge family and very close, not brotehr an sister wise but aunts uncles cousins second cousins, step cousins ect ect works out about 40 people so they all ask for list of little nick nacks that we'd like for xmas, so they can discuss whose buying what, and i've wrote a book list.
but i had never heard of him before the bartmaeus trilogy.

I picked up the first 2 books a few months back, but I haven't had time to sit down and start reading them, but they are defiantly on my "next to read" list. They sound fun, I can't wait to get into them.

Great books. I just finished reading the second one a week ago (after my friend beggd me to read them). One of the main things I like about it is the side comments. They always make the book more interesting and humorous.
I find his humor somewhat similar to Terry Pratchett

I'm reading the first book. I really love it!!!

I tried reading the first book, but I didn't really like it. I just couldn't get into it! I'm prepared to try again then!

I tried reading the first book, but I didn't really like it. I just couldn't get into it! I'm prepared to try again then!
It gets a lot better the more into it.

The third book is out now, i just finished reading it, i got it two days ago but it's been out for at least week. It is really good, but has quite a bittersweet ending. A lot is said about Ptolemy, and there are five parts to it. It comes from the usual viewpoints of Bartimaeus (the best charachter), Kitty, and Nathaniel (John Mandrake) and takes five trips back to alexandra, and ptolemys time (bartimeus narrates this).

has anyone else read it yet?

I think that Nathaniel somewhat reedems himself in this book, although at the start of it I could have killed him. Although, Bartimaus for a good part of the book is in quite a weak state and that is upsetting considering he is the ultimate charachter, and the ultimate daemon.

The first book remains my favourite though, Baritmaesus wit is amazing and we see a lot more of him, and Nathaniel too is more compasionate and humbler, more human than magician. He changes graetly in the second book, although it is inevitable.

The third book is out now, i just finished reading it, i got it two days ago but it's been out for at least week. It is really good, but has quite a bittersweet ending. A lot is said about Ptolemy, and there are five parts to it. It comes from the usual viewpoints of Bartimaeus (the best charachter), Kitty, and Nathaniel (John Mandrake) and takes five trips back to alexandra, and ptolemys time (bartimeus narrates this).

has anyone else read it yet?

I think that Nathaniel somewhat reedems himself in this book, although at the start of it I could have killed him. Although, Bartimaus for a good part of the book is in quite a weak state and that is upsetting considering he is the ultimate charachter, and the ultimate daemon.

The first book remains my favourite though, Baritmaesus wit is amazing and we see a lot more of him, and Nathaniel too is more compasionate and humbler, more human than magician. He changes graetly in the second book, although it is inevitable.

AACCCK! Don't spoil the book for us! It doesn't come out here in the US till December! I didn't know they released earlier in Europe. PSH! Anywho, please remember to use the spoiler tags whenever you post something regarding the plot of the book.

Out of all the books I've ever read, Bartimaeus is my favorite character. His philosophy about life is the best.

I've only read the first one. It rocks. ^.^

I don't have the second one because I haven't been to Barnes and Noble recently... I'm reading Eragon at the moment.

This is a forum I've created for the Bartimaeus Trilogy. I really want to change the domain name, but I can't find a way to do so now. It has the word 'maria' in it because as I was creating it, I made a mistake and typed the wrong thing in the wrong place. I hope you won't mind. :shrug: Many changes will be made sometime in the near future (including the forum's skin). Be the first registered user, other than me of course. :lol:

http://maria.forumup.org?mforum=maria

Does anyone know of any forums for the Bartimaeus Trilogy? I've created one, but I still need to change some things. It still rocks, and I'll give the link in a moment.

sadly, there aren't any forums for this particularly trilogy. There's isn't even a decent website dedicated to the books. It's a shame. And I would very much like to visit your forum. Hope you post the link very soon. :)

Here it is:

http://maria.forumup.org?mforum=maria

read my previous post here for explanation

The third book is out now, i just finished reading it, i got it two days ago but it's been out for at least week. It is really good, but has quite a bittersweet ending. A lot is said about Ptolemy, and there are five parts to it. It comes from the usual viewpoints of Bartimaeus (the best charachter), Kitty, and Nathaniel (John Mandrake) and takes five trips back to alexandra, and ptolemys time (bartimeus narrates this).

has anyone else read it yet?

I think that Nathaniel somewhat reedems himself in this book, although at the start of it I could have killed him. Although, Bartimaus for a good part of the book is in quite a weak state and that is upsetting considering he is the ultimate charachter, and the ultimate daemon.

The first book remains my favourite though, Baritmaesus wit is amazing and we see a lot more of him, and Nathaniel too is more compasionate and humbler, more human than magician. He changes graetly in the second book, although it is inevitable.

I have just finished the third one this morning (came out in Australia a few weeks ago). It was possibly the best book I have ever read. I agree with you about the ending but I think it was quadrouply (spelling?) as good as the first two. Bartimaeus has got to be one on my favourite characters of ALL time. This book was one the most clever, witty, exciting, originally and interesting books I have ever come across.

Everyone out there who hasn't come across this fantastic series - you are missing out!. If you haven't got the 3rd one yet - you won't be disappointed!

I have just finished the third one this morning (came out in Australia a few weeks ago). It was possibly the best book I have ever read. I agree with you about the ending but I think it was quadrouply (spelling?) as good as the first two. Bartimaeus has got to be one on my favourite characters of ALL time. This book was one the most clever, witty, exciting, originally and interesting books I have ever come across.

Everyone out there who hasn't come across this fantastic series - you are missing out!. If you haven't got the 3rd one yet - you won't be disappointed!

It truly is a wonderful series--and very underestimated. It should be just as popular as the SOUE or Eragon series, imo.

And darn! Everyone who's read the third book now have me on the brink of absolute squirmish anticipation. Has every country other than the U.S. gotten the book? Stupid American publishers. :grumble:

I began to read the first one.....I got a little confused with all the footnotes...but with all the good reviews you people are giving it....I think I'll give it another try!

I began to read the first one.....I got a little confused with all the footnotes...but with all the good reviews you people are giving it....I think I'll give it another try!

Oh do. At first I was real skeptic when I picked up the book and started reading it as well. But as you go along, you start to appreciate Stroud's witty writing style. Give it time, get past the first 50 pages or so and then it'll start to pick up. Even if you don't like the first one, read it, so then you can move on to the second one, which is 10x better. :cool:

I haven't but i like to get suggestions, so would you recommend them?

definetly recommend them! there're awesome books! yes the third one is called ptolemy's gate.

I just found out Ptolemy's Gate won't be released here in the U.S. till January, which really sucks considering that the book has been published in every other country around the world. :rolleyes:

Don't worry - it's worth the wait. Try ordering it online?? (if you really can't wait)

I actually picked up Ptolemy's Gate at my local Barnes & Noble two weeks ago- they stocked them early!

What are people's opinions on the book for those who have read it already? I LOVED it... a bit sad at the end, but a fitting end to a brilliant trilogy. Stroud has left the door open for future sequels, too... I hope there will be.

I actually picked up Ptolemy's Gate at my local Barnes & Noble two weeks ago- they stocked them early!

What are people's opinions on the book for those who have read it already? I LOVED it... a bit sad at the end, but a fitting end to a brilliant trilogy. Stroud has left the door open for future sequels, too... I hope there will be.

yup, it was released earlier than supposed to...unless amazon and other online retailers made a mistake. I'm still miffed about that, particularly since I spent extra money on the UK version of the book, only to find the American one in B & N one week later. Any Americans want the UK version?

anywho, Ptomey's Gate lived up to my expectations. It wasn't as exciting or jam-packed in action as Golem's Eye, but I still loved it and it was an excellent culmination to a wonderful series. the ending was, as someone else mentioned earlier, bittersweet. In a way, I'm happy Stroud didn't go the sugar-coated, happy ending route. I'm still sad that Nathaniel sacrificed himself, though :sad:

Anywho, it has struck me quite a few times what a good writer Stroud is, and I mean in the way he constructs and articulates his narrative. He's also very descriptive. Much better writer than JK, hands down.

I'm actually surprised that the Bartimaeus Trilogy isn't very well-known. I've gotten all of my relatives and friends hooked and none of them knew about the series before I told them about it.

These amazing books (and Jonathan Stroud) deserve better. I agree that Stroud is a better writer than Jo (no, I'm not dissing HP here, I'm still a diehard HP fan). He's coming to my town in January (check bartimaeustrilogy.com for tour dates) and I am definitely going to meet him. Can't wait! =)

I agree, it deserves at least as much hype as those Eragon books. They are greatly underrated.

and congrats, Celestina. Hope you get to take a picture with him and compliment him on his wonderful trilogy.

a thought just occurred to me: since Bartimaeus didn't die in the end, y'think there's any chance Stroud might do a sequel trilogy or a seperate series altogether featuring Bartimaues? I think it'd be neat. I could never get enough of ole Barty. :cool:

I think it's entirely possible. I just hope Kitty won't be in it. I loathe her character. I never really connected with her, for some reason. She seems a bit... cardboard. I mean, all of Stroud's characters are extremely original (they're like a breath of fresh air :) ), while Kitty is your typical rebellious, determined protagonist. I never liked her.

I think it's entirely possible. I just hope Kitty won't be in it. I loathe her character. I never really connected with her, for some reason. She seems a bit... cardboard. I mean, all of Stroud's characters are extremely original (they're like a breath of fresh air ), while Kitty is your typical rebellious, determined protagonist. I never liked her.

Hear hear. Kitty's character had no development, and she's just so annoyingly self-righteous. Then again, so is Nathaniel. To be honest, I can't pick out one pure protagonist in the book that I can really root for - you know, like in HP we've got Harry, and Lord of the Rings' had its Frodo - but the trilogy's main characters' alignments are all rather vague. I suppose that's what makes these books different from the others I've read...

I've only read the first two books. I love the books' humour, I can still remember the joke about the stool genie in the summoning circle next to Nathaniel's in book two. I thought the first book was kinda okay. Nathaniel sort of gets on my nerve sometimes. But the second book dragged a bit. I mean, not as in it was boring - the book was great, all exciting and everything, but I don't think the characters grew much, especially Kitty's, because i still see her as the same person introduced in the beginning of the book, without much, if any, change at all.

Can't say I'm anticipating getting my hands on book three, but when there's nothing else to read, I'd most probably buy it.

sadly, there aren't any forums for this particularly trilogy. There's isn't even a decent website dedicated to the books. It's a shame. And I would very much like to visit your forum. Hope you post the link very soon. :)

There's a small forum here.

The Tower of London (http://s13.invisionfree.com/The_Tower_of_London/index.php?act=idx)

I love this series. The characters are great fun, although admittedly, it can be kind of hard to root for them. Kitty slowly grew on me in Book 2, and Nathaniel and Barty have always been wonderful to cheer for - even when Nat was a prat. And "Ptolemy's Gate" was the best book I've read in a long time (much better than HBP, if I do say so myself).

I think that's part of the fun of the series - the main character is refreshingly evil. It's such a change from the other books I've read. The whole idea is just so original. I only wish I could come up with such ideas and write like that. Stroud is definitely one of my role models. :)

Thanks for the link to the forum.

I think that's part of the fun of the series - the main character is refreshingly evil. It's such a change from the other books I've read. The whole idea is just so original. I only wish I could come up with such ideas and write like that. Stroud is definitely one of my role models. :)

Thanks for the link to the forum.


I agree. It's nice to have the hero of the story be the "anti-hero". Nathaniel got on my nerves, but I appreciated all his moral ambiguity as a character. At the end, he redeemed himself, and I think that's more important than a character who's good from the beginning. There's more of a character arch, which adds more realism. And besides, Bartimaeus compensated for all of their flaws. He was awesome! :cool:

I agree that Kitty was an annoying character. Compared to Nathanial and Bartimaeus, she is very 2D and steriotypical.

While Nathanial is incredibly frustrating at times, he is without a doubt, a wonderfully crafted and delt with character. Jonothan Stroud has a knack for creating original charcters I think.

And Bartimaeus is without a doubt my favourite character of all time (with excpetion of Captain Jack Sparrow, Mr Darcy and Luna Lovegood :) ). He is so funny and witty.
I LOVED that scene when he was in Nathanial's body and he says: "We communitcated with pithy, rather monosyllabic thoughts: Run, Jump, Where?, Left, Up, Duck, etc (3) This later was an observation I made on the edge of the lake. Nathanial unfortunately took it as a command, which resulted in our temporary immersion." BAHAHAHAHA That whole entire end of the book when their bodies where combined was wonderful had me gasping for air for laughter.

Oh, I just love Bartimaeus! I wonder if he's single? Quentin Makepeace could write a play about us! (And I also like Luna and Jack Sparrow, just not as much as Ron, Neville, Count Olaf, and Artemis Fowl!)

Nathaniel reminds me of Artemis Fowl. I love Artemis, but Nathaniel can be just a tad annoying. I kind of liked him in the Golem's Eye, though.

Yes, I agree, I think Kitty annoys me.

GAAA, I haven't read "Ptolemy's Gate" yet! I have a question:

Does Nathaniel really die?

Does Nathaniel really die?


Are you sure you really wanna know? you sure?

If so...

yes, he does. Although Stroud doesn't outright explicitly state it, the reader is left to assume that Nathaniel sacrifices himself to kill the big evil villain-Spirit of the story. It looks like both Bartimaeus and Nathaniel are going to die, since they're both sharing the same body, but at the very last second, Nathaniel releases Bartimaeus of his bond and dismisses him, saving Barty's life but sacrificing his own. It's all very touching.

I :love: this trilogy. :tu:

The story is good especially at the end when Nathaniel and Bartimaeus join together to fight Nouda. I feel tense, funny and sad at the same time while reading it. Maybe next time when Bartimaeus was summon by another magician, he may take the shape of Nathaniel.

I have to say this is one of the best books i have read because of all the reasons everyone was already stated...it's funny, witty, original, very refreshing, with a new take on what it means to be a protagonist.

Originally Posted by SchmergoWeasley
Nathaniel reminds me of Artemis Fowl. I love Artemis, but Nathaniel can be just a tad annoying. I kind of liked him in the Golem's Eye, though.
He does doesn't he? It must be the whole child progidy with ambiguous morality bit...incidentally Evil Genius by Cathrine Jinks has a similar protagonist. The book isn't about magic or anything though...but I do recommend it!

To all those who said Kitty's annoying...I agree. What is up with her? She featured so prominently in Golem's Eye which might have been the reason I didn't enjoy that book as much as I did the others. She gets better in Ptolemy's Gate, slightly. I think the reason she annoys me is because it seems Bartimaeus prefers her over Nathaniel, which just makes me so jealous for Nat!

I know he isn't exactly the greatest person around but I blame that on the Magician's upbringing lol. The London Parliament of Bartimaeus Trilogy can give the Ministry of Magic of HP a run for their money in the obtrusive, political struggles department. I felt so sorry for him that time when he visits his old art teacher - the one from book 1. Her hostile reaction towards him really got to him, but I guess his character needed that jolt.

Originally Posted by eVaNeScEnCe
p.s.: oh and, this is random, but I find Jonathan Stroud to be a much better writer than JK.
Interesting, may I ask in what way? I'm just curious. Is it beacuse these books are 'tighter' as in more controlled [although Bartimaeus' hilarious footnotes are far from controlled :lol: ], succint, fast-paced? Although that's not present in the Harry Potter series isn't it because here Rowling is focussing instead on things like making 'mirrors' and vague refferences and creating layers etc. I find both series uncomparable personally and I don't know why some reviews consider Bartimaeus a 'rip-off' Harry Potter - they're in different leagues! Not everything with magicians is copied off HP :grumble: sorry had to let that off my chest

But talking of mirrors Stroud creates a beautiful one between Ptolemys last act with Bartimaeus and Nathaniels, it was very heart-wrenching. And yet Nat went off in his own style didn't he - complaining about dear Barty till the very end! :lol: I didn't know if I was supposed to cry or laugh, what an ending!

I don't know about sequels but Stroud seems to have left the door open for 'middle-quels' don't you think? I'm reffering to the Oyster Incidet and the other one that Nat & Barty were involved in: since we aren't given the details Jonathan Stroud could always write about those! I'd like to read them, I'm very curious what happened between Golem's Eye & Ptolemy's Gate. It would be so good to read Bartimaeus and Nathaniel bickering again.

...I won't apologise for the long post since I know you all love Bartimaeus and the more posts the better.:D

Bartimaeus is such an awesome series! It's kind of sad that more HP fans don't read it. Anyway, Stroud is coming to a town near mine really soon. Three of my friends and I are going to go. We have a huge list of questions we want to grill him about. Nathaniel does remind me of Artemis in a way! I'd never thought about that. But I ended up rooting for Artemis and not for Nathaniel. Hmm. And personally, I enjoyed Kitty's character. But then again, I'm a sucker for rebellious characters.

Interesting, may I ask in what way? I'm just curious. Is it beacuse these books are 'tighter' as in more controlled [although Bartimaeus' hilarious footnotes are far from controlled ], succint, fast-paced? Although that's not present in the Harry Potter series isn't it because here Rowling is focussing instead on things like making 'mirrors' and vague refferences and creating layers etc. I find both series uncomparable personally and I don't know why some reviews consider Bartimaeus a 'rip-off' Harry Potter - they're in different leagues! Not everything with magicians is copied off HP sorry had to let that off my chest

I meant in the way he literally writes: his writing syle, diction, syntax, all very much more sophisticated than JKR (this has nothing to do with the actual storytelling). I would actually venture to say that the books cater to an older audience simply because younger kids may have trouble understanding the at times overly elaborate narrative style.

I love these books too. I've just bought Ptolemy's Gate and I aim to read it this weekend.

Being an audio book freak I have to ask if any one has heard the recordings? They are actually what got me reading the books. They are read by Simon Jones (who was Arthur Dent in the original Hitchhikers Guide Radio series) and he has just the right dry tone. Expecially for Bartimaeus. I would recommend them to anyone who needs something to listen to on a long journey.

Roz.

I love these books too. I've just bought Ptolemy's Gate and I aim to read it this weekend.

Being an audio book freak I have to ask if any one has heard the recordings? They are actually what got me reading the books. They are read by Simon Jones (who was Arthur Dent in the original Hitchhikers Guide Radio series) and he has just the right dry tone. Expecially for Bartimaeus. I would recommend them to anyone who needs something to listen to on a long journey.

Roz.


wow cool. I didn't know there were audio books for this series. I'll try them out some time (when I have money to buy them. :p )

I am now in mourning. I just read "Ptolemy's Gate," and am deeply distressed about what happened to Nathaniel. NO, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE DIED. I am speaking of the fact that he *CUT HIS HAIR!* Yes, I am wearing black today because I miss Nathaniel's hair. It never had a chance!

*Sob* Sorry. I just had to get that off of my chest.

In response to people who say that Stroud is a better writer than JK Rowling, I don't know. They both write in their own style. Despite the dry voice that Stroud uses on Bartimaeus's part, the voice of J.K. Rowling's stories is more creative. She describes everything in a very familiar and interesting way, and Stroud is more detached. Also, you are learning everything knew with Harry in the HP books. In the Bartimaeus books, they can be a bit hard to understand at times. That has turned some people off of reading them. (Not me, though!) Well, I love them both!

Originally Posted by SchmergoWeasley
Also, you are learning everything knew with Harry in the HP books. In the Bartimaeus books, they can be a bit hard to understand at times. That has turned some people off of reading them. (Not me, though!) Well, I love them both!
Interesting point SchmergoWeasley especially since eVaNeScEnCe just mentioned:
Originally Posted by eVaNeScEnCe
I would actually venture to say that the books cater to an older audience simply because younger kids may have trouble understanding the at times overly elaborate narrative style.

I guess that despite the fact that Nathaneil is pretty young in the beginning of the series this book may be more enjoyable, to an older audience. This might also explain the difference in writing style of both authors.

Like you suggested:
Originally Posted by SchmergoWeasley
She describes everything in a very familiar and interesting way, and Stroud is more detached.
I just realised that I enjoy Stroud's Bartimaeus series because of his very dry, detached writing style. Of course Rowlings style has a charm of it's own as well!
Originally Posted by eVaNeScEnCe
I meant in the way he literally writes: his writing syle, diction, syntax, all very much more sophisticated than JKR (this has nothing to do with the actual storytelling).
I can't come to a conclusion regarding my own opinion but I can definitely see where you are coming from. Again it point to the whole 'older audience' thing...Bartimaeus has a very rambly, going off on tangents, going all high and mighty with his vocabulary persona which makes for a very enjoyable read while the Harry Potter books are obviously very different.

...ok have most of the people on this thread finished the last book? Because I thought we could discuss our favourite scenes from all the series...or should we put the scenes in spoiler tags?

What I've found wih the series is that people either love the writing style or hate it, personally I love it, the way its a narrative from the perspective of Nataniel, Bartimaues and at time Kitty. I love how each one provides personal insight to the situation, seeing the same story unfold from different angles has become very popular with authors today (Eldest being the first example that comes to mind). But my favourtie part of the trilogy is the comment footnotes by Bartimaeus, they're witty, intelligent and humourous.

Amazing series, I suggest it to all my friends... if you can get past the first fifty pages of Samarkand you will find that the rest of the books is incredible.

Yeah, I love the footnotes! I wonder if old Bartimaeus is single... Okay, things from Ptolemy's Gate

For some reason, I found it disturbing how Kitty aged when she got back from The Other Place. That kind of made me sad.

Did anyone else, reading about the Possessed By Demons ministers, think about Inferi? I did.

Ive read the first two and their awsome. Havent gooten to the 3rd yet though.

Ive read the first two and their awsome. Havent gotten to the 3rd yet though.

I've read all. They are amazing. Just brilliant

Bartimaeus is such an awesome series! It's kind of sad that more HP fans don't read it. Anyway, Stroud is coming to a town near mine really soon. Three of my friends and I are going to go. We have a huge list of questions we want to grill him about. Nathaniel does remind me of Artemis in a way! I'd never thought about that. But I ended up rooting for Artemis and not for Nathaniel. Hmm. And personally, I enjoyed Kitty's character. But then again, I'm a sucker for rebellious characters.

Let us know how it goes! He came to a town near me a few weeks ago, but I couldn't go. Mind asking him for us if he's going to write any more Barty books?


I LOVED that subtle hint of romance between Nat and Kitty throughout PG. It was really well-written and perfectly captured. :)

It's an awesome series. I really need to get the third one...

I love these books!
i jsut read ptolemys gate a few weeks ago and i thought it was really good.
obviously they are no harry potters, but they are really good still. its very original, not a harry potter rip off, which i like.

the only weird thing about the books is that it relates real people, and events into the stories. A lot of it was lost on me because the books take place in london and im from the United states but i still recognized some names and it made the books kind of strange... haha. but anyway, i highly recommend all of these. the second one is a little slow though.

Love these books!! A friend of mine, Xargon, suggested them to me. I am reading the third one just now and can't wait to learn more about Bartaumus' past, I just find him so funny! :lol:

I LOVED these books!

I think it's one of best trilogies I've read actually. I recomend them to everyone who enjoys fantasy. The only drawback I found with them was the setting. I didn't find London particularly interresting..

I think I'm one of the few people who liked the Gollums Eye the best, and one of the main reasons was because the entire story wasn't set in London! The other reasons were because I really liked: Kitty; the afrit in gladstones skeleton; the gollum; and the whole idea of graverobbing gladstones staff!

I found Bartimaeus's footnotes hilarious but they could get a tad annnoying at times (distracted too much from the story.)

I've only read the first book, but I liked that one. I am going to get around to reading the other two one of these days.

I have to say this is one of the best books i have read
To all those who said Kitty's annoying...I agree. What is up with her? She featured so prominently in Golem's Eye which might have been the reason I didn't enjoy that book as much as I did the others. She gets better in Ptolemy's Gate, slightly. I think the reason she annoys me is because it seems Bartimaeus prefers her over Nathaniel, which just makes me so jealous for Nat!

I think that it's an important point that Bartimeaus preffered Kitty to Natheniel in The Gollums Eye and PG. It helped convey to the reader that Nat was being caught up in the system of things where as Kitty was trying to stop them. And that Nat wasn't as nice a person as he was in The Amulet and how much worse he gets by PG. Bartimeaus almost beleived Kitty could be like potolemy..

I think that it's an important point that Bartimeaus preffered Kitty to Natheniel in The Gollums Eye and PG. It helped convey to the reader that Nat was being caught up in the system of things where as Kitty was trying to stop them. And that Nat wasn't as nice a person as he was in The Amulet and how much worse he gets by PG. Bartimeaus almost beleived Kitty could be like potolemy..

but in the end the old nat came back, and he was more like Ptomely then any one would have thought imaginable

does any one else think there will be another trilogy with Kitty and Bartimeus involved. i mean she is bound to be curious, all them pentacles around and she summoned Bartimeus before she could do it again, and he could tell her what happened, then they go on this hunt bettering the Magicians and Djinn world. i'm not sure how Jonathon stroud could make a story of it but the ending did leave the door open for it.

I am currently reading the first one, and i think its as good as, if not better than Harry Potter.

I heard they where making a film of it?
Would signed first editions be valuable?

-moan- I've wanted to read those for ages, but I can't find any anywhere...

I have the first book but I haven't read it yet. I'm going to finish The Amber Spyglass first then start this trilogy! I hope it is as good as His Dark Materials!

I have the first book but I haven't read it yet. I'm going to finish The Amber Spyglass first then start this trilogy! I hope it is as good as His Dark Materials!


You are going to love this trilogy for sure. You will love Bartimaeus in no time. His is really funny. I've read His Dark Materials. Loved them. :love:

I've only read the first - The amulet of Samarkand, and how interesting it is! the djinn, Bartimeuas, is awesome!

I have The Amulet of Samarkand and I'm going to read it soon! But which of the trilogy is your favourites??

Finally, I've found one in the library - The Golem's Eye. 'Twas brilliant. I know I should have read the first one first, but it wasn't there.

I have The Amulet of Samarkand and I'm going to read it soon! But which of the trilogy is your favourites??

Hard to choose.... I will choose The Bartimaeus Trilogy. :love: Because I haven't read His Dark Materials for a while now. I have finsihed reading the last book of The Bartimaeus Trilogy a couple of months ago and Bartimaeus is still fresh in my mind.

The Amulet of Samarkand IS SO GOOD! I love Bartimaeus and Nathaniels relationship! And the book was funny too! That's always good.

There are rumours of the trilogy being turned into movies:

Source 1 (http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-01-20-fantasy-films-main_x.htm)
Source 2 (http://www.hollywood.com/movies/detail/id/3462583)
Source 3 (http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6291560.html)
Source 4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amulet_of_Samarkand)

Personally, I agree with Stroud's choices for Bartimaeus's voice and Lovelace, I totally had Johnny Depp's (almost Jack Sparrow-ish) voice in my head while reading Bartimaeus's dialogue lines and thoughts.

I luuuuurve the Bartimaeus trilogy!! I only finished the second book last night. (Or rather, very early this morning.)

I also love the pairing of Nat/Kitty. =)

I have never heard of these books, what are the about? Are they something similar to Harry Potter or Eragon?

Well... no, I wouldn't say they were similar to HP or Eragon.

It's set in an AU London, where magicians rule the government, and commoners are treated pretty badly by them. Magicians have the power to summon djinni, imps, afrits, and other types of demons, to aid them. It's centered around the djinni Bartimaeus, the young magician Nathaniel, and the commoner Kitty. It's a geat trilogy, and I highly reccomend it.

Well... no, I wouldn't say they were similar to HP or Eragon.

It's set in an AU London, where magicians rule the government, and commoners are treated pretty badly by them. Magicians have the power to summon djinni, imps, afrits, and other types of demons, to aid them. It's centered around the djinni Bartimaeus, the young magician Nathaniel, and the commoner Kitty. It's a geat trilogy, and I highly reccomend it.

Are they considered/labelled children's books, or children's book that adult also like (like Harry Potter?:lol: )
I must say the storyline does sound very interresting.

Like Harry Potter, it's labeled as a children's book, but adults like it as well. I went into Barnes & Noble to look for the 2nd and had trouble finding it, and finally I asked a lady for help, and she led me to the children's section. I was like, "Oh..?" I hadn't even thought to look there.

Hope I could help.

Thank you for your help, I will definitely check them out. :)

Yay!! Another person converted to the Dark- I mean, nevermind. Tell me if you like it. :)

Hehehe I will. I'm finishing reading Harry Potter series (ehm...for the gazillionth time) and then I'll check it out. :lol:

I love these books! I just finished read PG about, oh, 20 minutes ago. I couldn't believe the end, though.

Question:
Is Nat really dead? 'Cause you never see his body or anything. So, maybe he escaped. Did anyone else cry at that part? I was so sad :upset: , because he was really making progress coming back to who he was in the first book.

I've only read The Amulet of Samarkand, but I thought it was a great book, and I can't wait to read the next one.

I have the Second book but I haven't got round to reading it yet. I took time from the first one to read Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, and now I have finished I will return to the cheeky little demon.

I've read all three of them and think they are absolutely excellent books. I still like the first one the best, but the second and third were also very good, though the ending was sad. Johnathon Stroud is a wonderful author and I really recommend the books. It's not just a Harry Potter rip off as many would believe, but is definitely different with the added twist of the demons. Bartimaeus himself is absolutely hilarious and I love his narratives and the style of humor in the writing. His subscripts always make me laugh :lol: .

I have only just finished the first part of The Golem's Eye, and already I am unable put it down. I like Kitty's involvment in the book, although I would perfer if it was only Nathaniel and Bartimaeus that we followed. Maybe later in the book I may enjoy Kitty's presence, but for now she is annoying me.
I also can't wait to see how Bartimaeus mingles with other demons, namely Quezzle, one he is familiar with.

I have all three books sitting on my bookshelves and I have yet to read them. I read a few chapters of the first book but it wasn't catching my interested so I never picked it back up. I really need to though I hear great things about the series.

is a very good series

I'm waiting for Ptolemy's Gate to be published in paperback to complete the trilogy. It'd be a shame to have the first two in paperback and the last in hardcover, I'm a perfectionist in that manner.

I like these books a lot. I just bought the second one, and I am reading it right now. My favorite character is Nathaniel.

i'm hoping they're made into a film... think they are brill

Ptolemy's Gate is without a doubt my favourite of the trilogy. Finished it not long ago, it's amazing!

I finnished reading the third one yesterday! They are awsmoe! Bartimaeus is soooo funny. But I don't like Nathanel, hes allright but kindda dull. Kitys great though.

Yay! I love this series! the ending to the thrid was perfect way to end
too bad he died tho
my favorite charecter is skeleton... hehehehehehe!!!

The Skeleton was called Honorius.

I'm about halfway through with the first one and I'm enjoying it a lot. It's fun for me to look for similarities in the way magic works in different series and I like the idea that the magicians themselves have no real powers as we know them.

So these books are very good magic/fantasy stories but not similar to Harry Potter? Cause that would be great, I need some new fantasy in my life.

So these books are very good magic/fantasy stories but not similar to Harry Potter? Cause that would be great, I need some new fantasy in my life.

Well I'm only halfway through book 1 but I'm really enjoying it so I'd say yes. Also and completely another thread check out The Dresden Files (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=94844) which I'm ridiculously addicted to.

Yeah, it is a really good series, with a really interesting plot to follow! It's quite hard to pick a favourite of the three because the first one is amazing, the second one adds a lot of mystery, and the third is areally good conclusion that, I think, does the series justice. But if I had to pick one, it'd be The Golem's Eye marginally followed by The Amulet of Samarkand and Ptolemy's Gate joint third!!

I never seemed to get a chance to read them. I heard they're excellent though!

I finished reading them only a couple of months ago, and they are easily one of my favourite series. I just wish that there were more of the books!

I'm going to start reading them as soon as I finish reading Eldest. I haven't been reading that one often enough because it doesn't hold my interest. I should really hurry through it so I can move on. I heard that The Bartimaeus Trilogy is really good so I'm looking forward to it.

I just finished the first and started in on the second and I think the books are fantastic so far. Great recommendation! I guess I'll come back when I'm done because I'll undoubtedly want to gush about the experience or ask questions.

The best part of the books, other than the wonderful plot, is the comical releif provided by Bartimaeus' footnotes. I can't beleive the ending when Nathaniel Dies! I love the books and always reread them. Book 2 takes a while to get through but its worth it.

I listened to this book from my Ipod while driving to and from school. I found it to be highly enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone of any age. I haven't read or listened to that many books, but I would have to say that the ending to this series is the best I've read so far. After finished listening to The Bartimaeus Trilogy I could not fall asleep for a long time, I also couldn't stop thinking about it for about a week.

I agree, it's a book that sticks with you no matter what. It's wodneruflly written and it's such a good plot, I've never read anything else like it. I love Jonathan Stroud, he's wonderful.

If any of you guys are interested, I own a bartimaeus trilogy fan site and fan forum: http://pentacle.nocturn-glare.net and http://penctacleforums.proboards85.com

I'm also a great fan of the series, I'm rereading it now.

I love this book series more than Harry Potter. :D
The ending of Ptolemy's Gate was amazing. That's all I will say.
Bartimaeus is a character tthat I'll always remember, for his humor and his bravery. He has such depth, and so do the others. Fantastic series.

I am now in mourning. I just read "Ptolemy's Gate," and am deeply distressed about what happened to Nathaniel. NO, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE DIED. I am speaking of the fact that he *CUT HIS HAIR!* Yes, I am wearing black today because I miss Nathaniel's hair. It never had a chance!

*Sob* Sorry. I just had to get that off of my chest.




hehe, I was wondering if anyone else was sad about that. When I read that part, I was like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *Plunk*. That was melodramatic.

The best part about the books were the sidenotes, I think. And the end, the end was touching. I actually really liked Kitty. Don't chuck tomatoes at me. :cool: She was really great to read about, I personally thought Nathaniel was a little...I don't know, I didn't like him as much. Barty was so much cooler!

I was really sad at the way the series ended... I thought Nathaniel deserved a chance to start a new life. He never really got a chance. By the time he was mature enough to make good choices, he was sacrificing all of it to undo what he'd done.

I loved the footnotes. They were some of my favorite parts of the narrative. Bartimaeus' sense of humor is delightfully WICKED!!

Does anybody know if any new news has come out about the making of the movie version of Amulet? I've had trouble finding any recent references to it on the Web.

I'm presuming that Bartimaeus will be a CG character, not portrayed by an actual actor. But as far as who will be cast to do his voice...the voice I hear inside my head when I read him is invariably the comic author and National Public Radio commentator David Sedaris.

It was interesting to hear that Simon Jones did the audiobook version. I'm a rabid longtime fan of the original BBC Radio series version of Hitchhiker's Guide, and there can be no other Arthur Dent for me. I also enjoyed his reading of Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord.

But I'm still rooting for Sedaris as Bartimaeus. Not very British-accented, I know; but he totally epitomizes the sarcastic Barty attitude!

I just finished reading The Golem's Eye, which I enjoyed. I keep remembering when there's the mass summoning and Bartimaeus is like, "You'll have more than one mad thing going around if you let this guy loose - look, he's turned himself into a footstool!" Then Nathaniel is like, "That is a footstool." LOL. All the scenes with Honorius were pretty funny. HP six was published after the Golem's Eye, wasn't it? I keep thinking of the group of werewolves, the Greybacks. Perhaps theres some kind of historical relation between the name and the creature, as it's an odd coincidence. I like the way that magic and werewolves work differently to other universes like HP; keeps things fresh.

My favourite character is, of course, Bartimaeus himself, with that wicked sarcasm and sense of humour. I know she has the stronger moral compass of the two, but I find myself preferring Nathaniel to Kitty. I feel sorry for him since he'll have to be watching his back for the rest of his life; he doesn't seem to get a break, that kid. Plus, he's helpless without a demon, and even with them if he's against Kitty.

One thing I didn't like about the novel was the long descriptions, which I found a bit tedious; it doesn't take me very long to visualise a scene, so when the author continues on it ends up confusing me... then I find it hard to pay attention and end up walking off to do something else, so it took me longer to read it than it really should have.

Anyway, I'm going to get Ptolemy's Gate when I go to work on Thursday, though I think the copy we have is damaged... :(

I LOVED the Bartimeus Trilogy. I love the concept of the magicians, I love the dynamics between Mandrake and Bartimeus, I love Kitty's fire, and especially, I LOVE Bartimeus. I think he is utterly hysterical. The only thing that always got me wondering was the time-setting. I read online somewhere that it's supposed to me more of a parallel universe of sorts. It's supposed to be set in 2005, but a few things make it seem a bit further back than that, like when it's said that neon lights are a new invention from Japan. And that England is at war with America... or as they call us "the colonies." The timeset was just odd. Other than that, I am completely in love with these books, I've read them twice now and picked up a few things along the way, they're so witty!

I love these books! Bartimaeus was so funny (especially the footnotes) and the ending made me so upset, but they were amazing! I loved them so much I haven't been able to bring myself to read them again (does that make any sense?:lol:)

I keep remembering when there's the mass summoning and Bartimaeus is like, "You'll have more than one mad thing going around if you let this guy loose - look, he's turned himself into a footstool!" Then Nathaniel is like, "That is a footstool."

Oh gosh, I loved that part! It made me laugh so hard!
I thought the Bartimaeus trilogy was refreshing. Bartimaeus was such a strong character, and he was really funny.
The ending was really sad, and was very abrupt. It's definitely not what I expected to happen.

I loved the ending, although I cried. Just like Harry Potter, I think it was really the only way it could have happened.

Oh, I loved these books! The ending of Ptolemy's Gate was so sad... but it showed that Nathaniel wasn't just after power. Deep down, he really realized how much Bartimaeus had done for him and knew he had to repay him. The Other Place was very weird. I didn't expect anything like that. I heard that Miramax is making a movie, too. I don't know how that will turn out, because there's a lot of stuff that you need words to explain. But it'll still be interesting. :D

My sister has read one of the books and she really liked it! So I think I'll give it a try soon. :D It looks interesting.

Oh no! Not a movie :( They're going to have so much trouble making this into a movie. People threw a fit over The Golden Compass for something that didn't even happen in it, and this one is all about summoning demons in pentacles :lol: Oh man, Miramax, you have your work cut out for you.

But aside from that, I'm open to the possibility of a movie. It will be very difficult, because so much of the book takes place in Bartimaeus's mind, but hopefully they can find a way to do it.

And...the ending to Ptolemy's Gate was one of the best book endings I've ever read, it's up there with the ending to His Dark Materials. It made me sniffle a little, but WOW, it was pure genius, a jam-packed emotional punch to the gut. When I finished the book, I turned the page expecting there to be more, and it was just a blank page, so I sat there for a good 10 seconds until finally saying "...Whoa."

WeenyOwl, I so agree! David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors and he has just that sarcastic, condescending voice to be perfect for the role.

Yep, on IMDB now there is a page for the Amulet of Samarkand movie, scheduled to be released in 2009. However, I don't have IMDB Pro so I can't read the rest of the information. :shrug:

I'm actually quite excited for a movie. Bartimaeus' footnote comments would somehow have to get into it, though, because those were the best part of the book. :lol:

I love the Bartimaeus trilogy. After some of the footnotes I laughed until I had tears in my eyes, and my sister asked me what I was doing. But I didn't like the end of Ptolemy's Gate, when I had finished it , I just sat there for a minute and then the explosion came:

"Noooooo! NononononononoNOOOO! THAT'S NOT HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO END!!!"
As you can see, I had imagined it to end otherwise. But I still love the books, and I plan to re-read them soon.

Has anyone read any other books by Jonathan Stroud? He has written at least two, The Leap and Buried Fire. I want to read them, but my poor library can't buy all the books I want to read! :lol: Plus, I have this huge pile of books waiting for me to read them (actually, I have seven books that the library says I must finish before 15November, and the 13 or so books that I have bought the last months). Maybe next year...

:upset: How could you Nate?? How could you do that to me?!?!

At the end of Ptomely's Gate, I screamed, and cried, and screamed some more. But i loved it!

That series was so good! I loved the humor and how it still managed to maintain a serious plot line. Well done and a good ending.... but sad. :(
I hope I can find his other books and read them too... I loved his style so it'll be refreshing to read more of his books.

I've only read the first two, still have to get Ptolmey's Gate. But based on the strong reactions below it's a good one! I'm looking forward to it. The humor is awesome and it's a fun series :)

Used to be one of my favourite book series a couple of years back. :love:
I'm rereading it right now and still loving it! :)

Two thumbs up for this series.:tu: :tu: I spent my holiday vacation reading through the trilogy for the first time, and I highly recommend it. I think anyone who appreciated HP would probably like this one too. It's got great characters (the three most important, Kitty, Nathaniel, and Bartimaeus were all ones I loved), very creative (and often funny) descriptions of magic, plenty of twists and turns, and a killer ending.

Like HP, it is basically set in our world, only with wizards. And since Stroud's wizards, unlike Rowling's, do not keep their existence secret, it's history is more "alternate universe" than Rowling's (so far as we know, since we learn next to nothing of the politics and history of Rowling's Muggles, so we can simply assume they have exactly OUR history) whereas in Stroud, of course, Wizard and Commoner (The Muggle equivalents in this tale) history is one, and so we see a lot of familiar political entities and names in its history, but they are altered some.

It's a pretty dark and dystopian world (the Wizards are already ruling the Muggles for the Greater Good, to borrow Rowling's labguage), but like in HP we are eased into it somewhat gradually, as we see it first through the eyes of Nathaniel, a young wizard's apprentice who accepts the rightness of the regime he is being prepared to be a part of.

Anyway, loved it and would be delighted to discuss it with someone. :D

This is the most hilarious book series I have ever read. I nearly died laughing sevearl times during it (and still do). The scene where Bartiaemus is imprisoned in the tower London is pricelessly funny.

I'd reccomend that anyone buy it and that someone from Hollywood realizes that it is pure cinematically and makes a film out of it. (They'd need to figure out a way to do the footnotes though)

What did everyone think of the fourth book, "The Ring of Solomon"?

I liked it, but didn't love it. I think my problem was that I didn't like Asmira very much (I was kind of bored with her throughout), and I kept wishing Nathaniel would show up (I knew he wouldn't, obviously XD), I really liked his character in the trilogy, and I missed his interaction with Bartimaeus.

My favourite parts were the ones where Bartimaeus would interact with other spirits, such as the shrew foliot they encountered. And of course, the footnotes.

I liked it, but didn't love it. I think my problem was that I didn't like Asmira very much (I was kind of bored with her throughout), and I kept wishing Nathaniel would show up (I knew he wouldn't, obviously XD), I really liked his character in the trilogy, and I missed his interaction with Bartimaeus.

I was worried that Bartimaeus might die - until I remembered that this took place in the past.

Admittedly, I did groan a bit when I saw the chapter would be in Asmira's/Khaba's/Anyone else's POV besides Bartimaeus'. But it was an interesting tale nonetheness. I wonder how much is historically accurate?