Ring of Solomon

Ring of Solomon
Bartimaeus #0
Jonathan Stroud
Fantasy
1 Star
Epub, 344 Pages

Bartimaeus around the time of Solomon.

A book that isn’t really worth a review. Nothing stood out, nothing was really good, or really bad.

I felt like I had eaten a bowl of plain oatmeal after reading this. Only a hardcore fan would like it I suspect.

Ptolemy’s Gate

Ptolemy’s Gate
Bartimaeus #3
Jonathan Stroud
Fantasy
3 Stars
501 Pages

The conclusion to this trilogy.

Turns out certain demons have been planning revenge on the human race. They have figured out a way to take over a human host which gets rid of many of the drawbacks of being summoned. Nathanial finally stops being a complete ass right at the end and kills off all the hybrids with Gladstone’s Staff. Finally, he unleashes the complete potential of the Staff to destroy the leader and in the process gives his life up.

I have to admit, at first I didn’t like the ending. Then I realized these books were about Bartimaeus, not Nathanial. Which is why I never really got excited about them. Bartimaeus should have been the sidekick…

THE GOLEM’S EYE

THE GOLEM’S EYE
Bartimaeus #2
Jonathan Stroud
ya fantasy
3 Stars
562 pages

yet another subversive government magician working to overthrow the current regime. Bartimaeus and the kid get thrown together. This time the Resistance plays a big part. And are dupes for some big player. The kid is a wretched brat and really arrogant to boot.

I enjoyed this more than the first though, LOTS less footnotes.

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND
Bartimaeus #1
Jonathan Stroud
ya Fantasy
3 Stars
462 pages

a young magician in training calls up the djinni Bartimaeus to revenge himself on another magician and in the process saves England from a revolt of other magicians.

This was very occultic, with all the pentagrams and incense and whatnot. And all the footnotes by Bartimaeus threw the whole rhythm off. Couldn’t read half a page before you had to stop the main story and read a stupid footnote. Like that through the whole book. Very poorly executed.

I’ll probably try the next one, but it is definitely taking a backseat in the bookline.