Bartimaeus Trilogy Boxed Set, The | 
| Author: Jonathan Stroud
Publisher: Miramax
Category: Book
List Price: $45.00
Buy New: $28.14
You Save: $16.86 (37%)
New (19) Used (9) from $24.99
Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 14803
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 1552
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 4.9
ISBN: 142310420X
EAN: 9781423104209
ASIN: 142310420X
Publication Date: September 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Three good stories in one set January 5, 2009
Stanek's Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books are our favorites in Young Adult fantasy, but Stroud is pretty good too. In this boxed set, you get
The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus Trilogy Series #1)
The Golem's Eye (Bartimaeus Trilogy Series #2)
Ptolemy's Gate (Bartimaeus Trilogy Series #3)
We enjoyed all three of the Bartimaeus books but would all pick Amulet of Samarkand as our favorite. Bartimaeus was quite a character and full of commical relief in both his footnotes (which you should read) and in his overall mannerisms. The books were descriptive and did a good job of creating a very modern and beliveable world of magic. My kids keep hoping for a sequel but there isn't one so far. Over all, I think these are good for ages 10 to 15.
 Too bad there aren't more January 3, 2009
I love these books! Amulet was great, Golem was a little anticlimactic at the end, but still had very good plot and character development. I'm halfway through Ptolemy and can't put it down. I feel like I've gotten to know Nathaniel, Bartimaeus and Kitty so well that I don't want the trilogy to end - it feels like parting with your friends when you all go off to separate colleges. I really hope they make these into movies - seems like it would be a great fit.
Wonderful Set! December 29, 2008
The Bartimaeus Trilogy was suggested to me because I enjoyed the Harry Potter series... And it was well worth the read! The price is also relatively cheap so I strongly suggest purchasing this book even if you're unsure. This book depicts a wonderful relationship and adventures between a djinni ("demon") and a boy wizard. The wizardry world is nothing like that of Harry Potter so it does not feel like a rip off at all. It is completely unique in its entirety with its adventures, etc. I would also recommend it for those older than the age range it is marketed for.
 Decent reading... December 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recently finished this trilogy and enjoyed the content. Stroud's writing style isn't my cup of tea though. I'm a 26 year old mother, and was looking for books from the same fantasy realm as "Harry Potter". I wouldn't at all compare these books to Harry Potter as they're completely different, but they are in the same fantasy category. The only reason I rate this trilogy a 3 is that (especially the first 2 books) are extremely wordy and very detailed. Some people like that though...I just don't feel I need to know every single color of every single building on every single street that's mentioned to truly picture what's going on in a story...I like to have room to imagine some things. Anyway. My main point of writing this review is to let others out there know that YES, if you're an adult wondering if this trilogy would quench your fantasy thirst, it will. The storyline is extremely engaging and exciting...after you've muddled through some of the details (I have to admit, there were paragraphs that I simply scanned in order to get through to the action). At the beginning of the trilogy, you're rooting for Nathaniel, at the end you're rooting for Bartimaus and Kitty...read them and I'm sure you'll feel the same. I do recommend this as a buy for light reading. Enjoy!!
A Hidden Gem of Today's Fantasy November 25, 2008
In today's fantasy world, all new fantasy is either a Lord of the Rings knockoff, a Harry Potter-esque knockoff, or something new and original. This book fits into the third category.
The book is about a modern-day London in which magicians rule the government, like Harry Potter. Unlike Harry Potter, commoners know about these magicians, and some of them sure aren't happy about the magician's rule. Magicians get their power from spirits (Djinni and Imps, to name a few). Masters undertake apprentices and teach them the ways of magic. One apprentice, Nathaniel, summons a potent Djinni named Bartimaeus, and plenty of chaos and plotting ensues. The trilogy follows Nathaniel and Bartimaeus as they together navigate a hostile London full of magic and intrigue.
Stroud's novel is simply a blast to read. The plot is very real and scary, but yet the book is also very funny. When Bartimaeus tells the story, he adds witty footnotes to the bottom of every page that keep you happy and interested in the book. Believe me, you won't want to put this one down. You'll be following Nathaniel all the way from his days as a lowly, oppressed apprentice until the climactic battle with the height of evil at the end of Book Three.
This book is written for older children and young adults, but believe me, adults will be very entertained with these novels. There are all sorts of hilarious side-comments and historical references that can be missed if one is not careful.
If you are a fantasy fan, a history buff, or even none of the above, you will keep reading the Bartimaeus Trilogy. This book is an overlooked gem of 21st century literature. Check book one out of the library -- if you love it, as I'm sure you will, buy this trilogy. You won't regret it.
Thanks for reading!
-Nick
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