The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus, #1)
by Jonathan Stroud
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud holds a well received rating of 3.99 out of 5, based on 86.1K reader ratings. First published in 2003. The book spans 462 pages.
About The Amulet of Samarkand
Nathaniel is a boy magician-in-training, sold to the government by his birth parents at the age of five and sent to live as an apprentice to a master. Powerful magicians rule Britain, and its empire, and Nathaniel is told his is the "ultimate sacrifice" for a "noble destiny." If leaving his parents and erasing his past life isn't tough enough, Nathaniel's master, Arthur Underwood, is a cold, condescending, and cruel middle-ranking magician in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The boy's only saving grace is the master's wife, Martha Underwood, who shows him genuine affection that he rewards with fierce devotion. Nathaniel gets along tolerably well over the years in the Underwood household until the summer before his eleventh birthday. Everything changes when he is publicly humiliated by the ruthless magician Simon Lovelace and betrayed by his cowardly master who does not defend him.Nathaniel vows revenge. In a Faustian fever, he devours magical texts and hones his magic skills, all the while trying to appear subservient to his master. When he musters the strength to summon the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus to avenge Lovelace by stealing the powerful Amulet of Samarkand, the boy magician plunges into a situation more dangerous and deadly than anything he could ever imagine.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Jonathan Stroud |
| Published | 2003 |
| Pages | 462 |
| Genres | Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.99 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 86,062 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Amulet of Samarkand?
The Amulet of Samarkand is categorized as Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Fantasy.
Is The Amulet of Samarkand worth reading?
Based on 86.1K reader ratings, The Amulet of Samarkand has an average score of 3.99 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is The Amulet of Samarkand?
The Amulet of Samarkand has 462 pages.
Who wrote The Amulet of Samarkand?
The Amulet of Samarkand was written by Jonathan Stroud. It was first published in 2003.
What is the ISBN for The Amulet of Samarkand?
The ISBN-13 for The Amulet of Samarkand is 9780786818590.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
