The first part of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, “The Amulet of Samarkand” is set in a mostly recognisable London – admittedly, with a few noticeable changes. The Tower of London is still a feared prison and the Empire (which still exists) is at war with the Czech Republic. Magicians are the ruling class, holding all positions of power, while the non-magical human masses are referred to as commoners. These magicians derive their power from their ability to summon and control a variety of demons – for example, afrits, djinn and imps.

The book begins with the first summoning of a djinn called Bartimaeus by a magician’s apprentice called Nathaniel. Nathaniel orders the Bartimaeus to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from a very powerful magician and minister called Simon Lovelace. One thing leads to another and, sooner than you can say “N’gorso the Mighty”, there’s murder, mystery and mayhem – with the added bonus of some young and mysterious human revolutionaries. Needless to say, Lovelace is at the heart of the wrongdoing and the Amulet is clearly at the crux of his dastardly plans.

Nathaniel and Bartimaeus are the story’s central characters and the focus of the story alternates back and forth between them. Stroud has taken an interesting approach – he writes Nathaniel’s story (“Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed”), but the djinni tells his own (“I sat on the ground cross-legged”). Bartimaeus, for me, is the star of the show – the parts of the book that focus on him are among the funniest I’ve read in a long time. Caustic, sardonic, irreverent and hopelessly vain, he spends much of the book hoping to betray his master and plotting his downfall. The footnotes included in his sections also allow him to explain certain things or wander slightly off-topic.

Very funny and very enjoyable !

Synopsis from Amazon:
“Author Jonathan Stroud delivers such a potent and unforgettable mix of magic, history and intrigue with The Amulet of Samarkand, the first part of his compelling Bartimaeus Trilogy, that it is difficult not to want to read the next novel immediately. Undoubtedly the shortest 480 pages you’ll ever read, The Amulet of Samarkand is a superb novel of revenge and adventure with the most original central character for years.
Bartimaeus is a wisecracking Djinni (pronounced “Jinnee” we’re reliably informed) unlike no other. Summoned from some otherworldly place to do the bidding of a pipsqueak trainee magician called Nathanial, he sets about his given task reluctantly but with aplomb. Nathanial is after revenge and that makes him dangerous. Previously humiliated by a powerful magician called Simon Lovelace in front of his impotent master, Nathanial has spent every waking hour for years cramming knowledge of the highest magic into his head so that he can exact his own special kind of vengeance.
Bartimaeus is charged to steal a precious and powerful object, the Amulet of Samarkand, from Lovelace’s residence, which the Djinni achieves but not without angering a few old mates on the same astral plane and having to spend the night annoyingly disguised as a bird. Bartimaeus, despite being bound to Nathaniel, discovers the boy’s real name—a tool he can use to his own advantage. But he is constantly outwitted. Then an overriding danger becomes apparent that threatens the whole fabric of society and they must work together to combat it.
Stroud’s fantasy world is familiar, yet fascinatingly different. It’s almost Victorian London, yet Magicians hold overall power and inhabit parliament. The writing is captivating, the story intelligent and mesmerising. It’s difficult to imagine a more scintillating collection of characters and situations. Unmissable. (Recommended for ages 10 and over.) “

Darker than Harry Potter, in a grimmer Britain with an alternative history where magicians rule. The characters are less lovable, the djinnis seem to be the ones with the real emotions. The idea that magical powers come from the djinnis that are enslaved by magicians summoning them is quite an interesting one. I liked Bartimaeus, I found it a bit depressing though and didn’t like Nathaniel very much. Still, I am tempted to get books 2 and 3, especially after reading the synopsis of book number 3, “Ptolemy’s Gate”.