This highly enjoyable book is all about a young boy training to be a magician and the thrilling chaos he causes when his powers get out of control. Any comparisons with another series of books about a young trainee magician can be instantly dismissed because The Amulet of Samarkand thrills and intrigues on its own considerable merits. The story is told from two points of view, one Nathaniel the boy wizard and the other Bartimaeus, the spirit he conjures up to help him seek revenge on a dangerous magician who is misusing his powers. Bartimaeus is one of the most original and intriguing characters to appear in a book for ages. His adventures with his master Nathaniel are exciting, funny and superbly entertaining. This is the first book of a promised trilogy and if the other two turn out as captivating as the first, Jonathan Stroud will have a modern classic on his hands. By Jonathan Stroud Published by Doubleday ISBM 0 385 60599 4
