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The Amulet of Samarkand

By: Jonathan Stroud
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The first volume in the brilliant, bestselling Bartimaeus sequence.

When the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, he expects to have to do nothing more taxing than a little levitation or a few simple illusions. But Nathaniel is a precocious talent and has something rather more dangerous in mind: revenge. Against his will, Bartimaeus is packed off to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, both djinni and apprentice are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, murder and rebellion.

Set in a modern-day London controlled by magicians, this hilarious, electrifying thriller will enthral listeners of all ages.

©2007 Jonathan Stroud (P)2007 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Steven Pacey's ebullient narration of Jonathan Stroud's The Amulet of Samarkand is a tour de force. Amulet is the first volume of a trilogy centred on the anarchic and enterprising djinni Bartimaeus, a powerful spirit whose experiences stretch back to Ptolemy, his favourite master. He is surprised to find himself summonded by Nathaniel, a precocious self-taught twelve-year old apprentice in magic... Stroud is a convincing manipulator of magic, and adults will enjoy the antagonistic alliance and perilous adventures as much as children will." (The Times)

"Drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling." (The Independent)

"The truly original touch is the way Stroud alternates Nathaniel's story with the djinni's own knowing and irascible first-person narrative." (Guardian Review)

What listeners say about The Amulet of Samarkand

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Great read

This is clearly going to be a family favourite once my son gets hold of it.

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3 people found this helpful

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An amiable romp through fantasy

I haven't read the books and do understand how those who have would be disappointed about the lack of the footnotes, that seem to place a very important role in the book itself. But as a listener, I really enjoyed it. I don't think it's brilliant, but it's well written, fun and I think kids would adore it. And after some dodgy Audible narrators, Steven Pacey was an absolute delight.

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Steven Pacey brilliant again

A good story and we'll narrated. Good good good good good good good good

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  • Overall
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Gooog boook

I love this trilogy. I came for the nostalgia from listening to these when I was 11-12 and stayed for the story. Very goog 5 star innit.

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Jonathon Stroud never disappounts!

Bartimaeus is one of my favourite characters from any book... ever. I loved this series when I was a young teen, and rereading it now over 15 years later, it's better than ever. Steven Pacey (the narrator) does an excellent job and brings Stroud's characters and world to life. 10/10 recommend ♡

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Sarcastic Entertainment

Bartimaius is truly the star of this story. As is if the summoned is the master and ultimate manipulator of the story rather than the 12 year old boy. Well narrated, which made the story so enjoyable. well worth the listen.

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Brilliant story, brilliant narration

Brilliant story, brilliant narration, Another series to escape reality into that i struggled to stop myself from going just one more chapter every time i ought to have been doing something else,

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  • Overall
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Beautifully poetic!

Seamlessly written, an amazingly detailed fantastical world close to Harry Potter itself. Not usually by cup of tea but now I can't wait to start reading the next one. Jonathan Stroud got me hooked!

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Delighted

A delight from start to finish. Beautifully written and read. I definitely recommend this trilogy.

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