The Amulet of Samarkand facts for kids
Original cover
|
|
| Author | Jonathan Stroud |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Bartimaeus series |
| Genre | Children's, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
|
Publication date
|
30 September 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback & Hardback) |
| Pages | 462 (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-7868-1859-X (first edition, paperback) |
| OCLC | 52509519 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S92475 Am 2003 |
| Followed by | The Golem's Eye |
The Amulet of Samarkand is an exciting children's fantasy novel. It's the first book in the popular Bartimaeus series by English author Jonathan Stroud. This book was first published in September 2003. The story is set in a magical London where powerful magicians rule. It mixes old legends with modern ideas. The book is famous for its funny footnotes, which are like secret comments from one of the main characters. The story is named after a special magical item called the Amulet of Samarkand, which is very important to the plot.
Contents
A World of Magic and Power
The story takes place in London around the early 2000s, but it's a different version of our world. In this world, certain people called magicians can summon powerful spirits to do their bidding. Throughout history, different groups have used these magical forces to gain power. The British Empire is currently the strongest, ruling much of Europe since the 1800s.
The UK is run by magicians. They hold almost all the power in politics, money, and culture. Even though the story happens around the same time it was written, magic has slowed down technology. So, the world feels more like the mid-1900s.
What the Story is About
The book follows a young magician's apprentice named Nathaniel. He is only 12 years old. Nathaniel secretly summons a powerful and grumpy spirit called Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is a djinni, a type of spirit.
Nathaniel gives Bartimaeus a very dangerous job: to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand. This amulet belongs to Simon Lovelace, a very strong and mean magician. Bartimaeus doesn't really care about Nathaniel's plans. He just wants to finish the job and return to his own world, called "The Other Place." He also wouldn't mind getting back at the annoying boy who summoned him! Bartimaeus often thinks about his past master, Ptolemy, who he liked much more than Nathaniel.
Soon, Bartimaeus and Nathaniel get caught up in a scary adventure. It's full of magic, secrets, and danger. Nathaniel quickly learns that he might have started something much bigger than he and his djinni can handle.
Main Characters
Magicians
- Nathaniel: A young magician's apprentice.
- Arthur Underwood: Nathaniel's master and a government minister.
- Simon Lovelace: A powerful and dangerous magician.
- Jessica Whitwell: A high-ranking magician and Minister of Security.
- Rupert Deveraux: The Prime Minister of the magical government.
- Mr. Schyler: A magician working with Lovelace.
- Sholto Pinn: Another magician.
Commoners
- Kitty Jones: A young member of a group called the Resistance.
- Martha Underwood: Arthur Underwood's kind wife.
- Mercenary (Verroq): A mysterious fighter.
Spirits
- Bartimaeus: A very old and powerful djinni.
- Simpkin: A lesser spirit called a Foliot.
- Jabor: A djinni working for Lovelace.
- Faquarl: Another djinni working for Lovelace.
Groups
- The Resistance: A group of commoners who fight against the magicians' rule.
- The British government: Run by powerful magicians.
Magical Items and Places
- Amulet of Samarkand: This special amulet was made in the ancient city of Samarkand. It protects the person wearing it from magic attacks.
- Nathaniel's scrying glass: A magical mirror Nathaniel uses to see things from far away.
- The 'Other place: The home world of spirits like Bartimaeus.
Story Summary
In a different London, the British Empire rules the world using magic. Magicians are the powerful leaders, and common people have little say. When Nathaniel is five years old, his family gives him up to become a magician's apprentice. This is part of a government program. He goes to live with Arthur Underwood, a government minister. Mr. Underwood isn't very interested in Nathaniel, but his wife, Martha, is kind to the boy.
As Nathaniel grows up, he learns about magic. He discovers that magicians summon and control powerful spirits from another world. When Nathaniel is ten, he meets Simon Lovelace, a very important magician. Lovelace makes fun of Nathaniel's skills and embarrasses him. Nathaniel tries to get revenge by sending tiny spirits called mites after Lovelace. This gets him a beating from Lovelace and two weeks locked in his room by his master. When he gets out, he finds out his favorite teacher, Ms. Lutyens, who tried to protect him, has been fired. Nathaniel becomes angry with Mr. Underwood and secretly studies advanced magic. He plans to get revenge on Lovelace. Using a simple scrying glass, Nathaniel sees Lovelace receive a package from a mysterious fighter. It's the powerful Amulet of Samarkand.
A few days after his twelfth birthday, Nathaniel secretly summons Bartimaeus, an old and proud djinni. Bartimaeus doesn't like being controlled. Nathaniel orders him to steal the Amulet. Bartimaeus manages to get the amulet, barely escaping two of Lovelace's spirits, Faquarl and Jabor. He is then attacked by a group of young people who try to take the Amulet. These young people are part of the Resistance, a group trying to fight the magicians.
Nathaniel tells Bartimaeus to hide the Amulet in Mr. Underwood's study. Bartimaeus overhears Nathaniel's real birth name. This gives him a way to protect himself from Nathaniel's commands. Nathaniel then uses a spell to make Bartimaeus serve him for a whole month. Later, Nathaniel is given a new official name, "John Mandrake." He goes with the Underwoods to a big meeting of magicians. During the meeting, a member of the Resistance causes an explosion, hurting several people.
Bartimaeus is ordered to spy on Lovelace. He goes to a shop owned by another magician, Sholto Pinn. Bartimaeus learns that the Amulet was under government protection. His cover is blown, and he is captured and taken to the Tower of London. Mr. Underwood finds Nathaniel's magic tools and takes them away. He is then called to the Tower to question Bartimaeus. When Mr. Underwood returns, Nathaniel tries to use his scrying glass again but is caught. At the Tower, Bartimaeus is questioned by Pinn and Jessica Whitwell, the Minister of Security, but he doesn't tell them anything. With help from Jabor and Faquarl, Bartimaeus escapes. He agrees to show them where the Amulet and his master are. Bartimaeus flees, accidentally leading Lovelace to the Underwood house.
Lovelace plans to use the Amulet to take control of the government. He threatens Mr. Underwood and finds the Amulet in his study. Nathaniel admits he stole it, but Mr. Underwood tells Lovelace to kill Nathaniel instead of him. Lovelace's spirits destroy the house. The Underwoods die, but Bartimaeus saves Nathaniel.
Nathaniel promises to free Bartimaeus once they finish their mission to get revenge for Mrs. Underwood. After meeting the Resistance, Nathaniel and Bartimaeus go to Heddlehem Hall to stop Lovelace's plan. There, Bartimaeus fights a mysterious bearded mercenary who is very hard to hurt with magic. This mercenary also has special "seven league boots" that let him move very fast. Lovelace and his master, Schyler, find Nathaniel. Schyler tells Nathaniel to join Lovelace's new group or die. Nathaniel manages to kill Schyler using small magical firework-cubes.
Nathaniel and Bartimaeus arrive at the meeting of magicians. Nathaniel tries to warn everyone, but Whitwell, who doesn't know about the plot, traps him in a magic bubble. The room is actually a giant summoning circle. Lovelace, protected by the Amulet, blows an ancient horn. This calls forth a huge spirit named Ramuthra. Ramuthra destroys the magicians and spirits around it. Bartimaeus distracts Lovelace, allowing Nathaniel to grab the Amulet. Ramuthra then destroys Lovelace. Nathaniel quickly says the words to dismiss Ramuthra and breaks the summoning horn. Ramuthra disappears.
Nathaniel presents the Amulet to Prime Minister Rupert Devereaux. He tells a slightly changed version of what happened, making himself seem like a quiet hero. Nathaniel makes a deal with Bartimaeus: if Bartimaeus keeps Nathaniel's true name a secret, Nathaniel will never summon him again. With Bartimaeus's grumpy respect, Nathaniel frees him. Nathaniel then begins his life as a true magician, working under a new master, Jessica Whitwell.
Awards and Recognition
- A 2004 ALA Notable Book [1]
- A 2004 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten Pick [2]
- A Bank Street 2004 Best Book of the Year
- A Booklist Top 10 Fantasy Book for Youth 2004
See also
In Spanish: El amuleto de Samarkanda para niños
