Christopher Moning (Children's Literature)
Book two of Jonathan Stroud's delightful "Bartimaeus Triology" reacquaints faithful readers--and no doubt introduces legions of new fans--to Bartimaeus, the quirky, sarcastic, and irreverent djinni that serves as the honest but ribald narrator of this fantasy novel. In an alternative British Empire, an empire that is ruled by corrupt magicians who use enslaved demons, such as imps, djinns, and foliots, to do their bidding, a small but powerful insurgency is developing. Kitty, a commoner who has an uncommon resistance to magic, is part of the resistance. A young magician, Nathaniel, is moving up through the ranks of government. His djinni, Bartimaeus, must obey Nathaniel, but never does willingly, and never without reminding Nathaniel that as he grows in power, he loses his humanity. Complicating matters is the violent appearance of a golem, a clay giant of a figure that is wreaking havoc and destroying British landmarks. The golem is controlled by an unseen force; Nathaniel's reputation depends on his success at finding and destroying that force. Some chapters of the novel are related through Nathaniel's and Kitty's opposing viewpoints. But the most entertaining sections are the first-person narratives of Bartimaeus, which are replete with hilarious footnotes. For instance, while staking out a demon, Bartimaeus ruminates on his life. An accompanying footnote reads, "There were plenty more incredibly intelligent thoughts, which I won't bother your pretty little heads with. Take it from me it was all good, damn good." There is action galore as well, culminating in a climactic battle against the golem. Folks will be clamoring for the next installment in this entertaining series. 2003, Miramax Books/Hyperion, $17.95. Ages 10 up.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 15))
Picking up two years after The Amulet of Samarkand ended, this sequel continues the original's fast-paced excitement and is enriched by a broader moral view and a third main character. Nathaniel, ambitious teenage magician (politician), works furiously to gain power and credence in London's magician-run government. Slave-djinni Bartimaeus, bound to follow Nathaniel's orders, retains his ultra-sardonic voice (including trademark commentary footnotes). The third viewpoint is that of Kitty, a teenaged member of the Resistance tormenting London's seat of government. Unlike headstrong Nathaniel (never questioning the British Empire's repressive power) and sarcastic Bartimaeus, the fierce, fiery Kitty is easy to root for. Grave-robbing, international spying, a city-smashing golem, exploding demons, and fearsome Night Police all figure in before the end-which of course isn't the end at all. Is there hope for resisting the Empire? Might enslaved djinn be involved? Stay tuned for more thrills. (character list) 2004, Hyperion, 464p, $17.95. Category: Fantasy. Ages 10 to 14. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Charlotte Decker (Library Media Connection, April/May 2005)
As assistant to the Internal Affairs minister, Nathaniel investigates domestic terrorism and foreign insurgency. When attacks are made upon magicians' properties, the Resistance is blamed and capturing the ringleaders falls to Mandrake. He summons Bartimaeus, the djinn, who discovers that the destruction is being done by a golem. Nathaniel must discover if this golem is a tool of the Resistance, commoners who have no magical powers, or by another magician seeking to overthrow the government. With his career and life at stake, Nathaniel tries to discover the Resistance's plans by trapping one of its members, Kitty. Nathaniel and Bartimaeus are able to unmask the traitor magician. While Nathaniel is rewarded with another promotion and Bartimaeus is free to return to his spirit realm, Kitty prepares to bring down the magicians. The story alternates among the three main characters: Bartimaeus, Nathaniel, and Kitty. The author has blended the three stories smoothly so that the reader easily comprehends the plots. This is a complicated, well-written fantasy with a cast of interesting characters. The storytelling is magical and will keep the reader's interest to the end. While the book stands on its own, readers will want to read The Amulet of Samarkand (Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing Worldwide, 2003) first. Fans will eagerly await the final volume. Recommended. 2004, Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing Worldwide, 576pp., $17.95 hc. Ages 12 up.

Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, November 2004 (Vol. 58, No. 3))
The sarcastic djinni Bartimaeus and his ambitious master Nathaniel (from The Amulet of Samarkand, BCCB 3/04), in spite of mutual vows to leave each other in peace, are reunited "two years, eight months" later in another race to save London from the terrorist acts of political conspirators and Resistance fighters. Only Nathaniel realizes that certain of the attacks on the city (mysterious, large-scale destructions of valuable property) come from a source other than the grassroots Resistance, a deduction which leads him on an undercover mission to the formerly great magical city of Prague, which was, not coincidentally, the site of the creation of the first golem, centuries before. Mortal danger, international intrigue, and treacherous allies keep the temperature high throughout this supersized sequel, while Bartimaeus' acid commentary and wry footnotes add pepper to the pot. Resistance fighter Kitty, introduced in the first volume and now forced into action as a major player in the struggle for power, infuses the tale with moral complexity as she consistently chooses idealistic heroism over practical self-preservation, winning Bartimaeus' admiration and providing the more easily corruptible Nathaniel with both a foil and a reason to doubt the wisdom of his own choices. With a fast-paced, open-ended dénouement assuring readers further high adventure in the next installment, this second book of the trilogy fulfills the potential of the first and promises a satisfying conclusion to come. A list of main characters is provided. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, Miramax/Hyperion, 562p, $17.95. Grades 7-10.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2005)
This second book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy adds a new character to The Amulet of Samarkand’s entertaining mix of power-hungry junior magician Nathaniel and supercilious djinni Bartimaeus: Kitty, a commoner and a member of the Resistance opposing the magicians’ corrupt rule. The action never flags—with not one but two seemingly unstoppable villains to defeat—and the escalating intrigue among the three main characters bodes well for book three. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2004, Hyperion/Miramax, 562pp, 17.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Cindy Dobrez (VOYA, October 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 4))
He's ba-ack! The wise-cracking, omniscient djinni, Bartimaeus, with his funny footnotes, has been summoned again. His master Nathaniel, now a member of the magical government of London, is responsible for stopping the Resistance attacks and capturing a menacing clay golem with a mysterious master. Bartimaeus is disgruntled to be called back into service after only two years, but Nathaniel is desperate to prove his worth and to continue his quick climb up the political ladder. Stroud continues the multiple narrator and first- and third-person narration format of the prequel, The Amulet of Samarkand (Hyperion 2003/VOYA December 2003). Unfortunately Bartimaeus disappears for far too long as the story is set up and Kitty's narration is added (including a three-year flashback to recount her history with the Resistance). Ardent fans will enjoy the intelligent text, but less experienced fantasy readers might get lost in the many shifts in place and time or become impatient with the pacing of the adventure that meanders more than the Thames. Among the new treats is the skeleton of London's magical founder Gladstone, inhabited by the delightfully maniacal afrit, Honorius, delirious to be free of the crypt but intent on revenge nonetheless. The many plot threads are sewn together satisfactorily in the exciting conclusion, but happily the characters are left poised for their next adventure. Plenty of teens will be waiting; the astute ones will be pondering Stroud's timely message about the importance of education and knowledge of the past-and the dangers of powerful government. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Hyperion, 556p., $17.95. Ages 11 to 18.

Penni Spicer (VOYA, October 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 4))
The Golem's Eye was a thoroughly satisfying read, with the action/adventure parts being as well written as the characters. The story is told through the eyes of the three main protagonists-Nathaniel, Kitty, and Bartimaeus-and all three have distinct, authentic personalities (I liked Bartimaeus the best!) Even the minor characters are multidimensional with odd quirks all their own, and the prose is witty and highly entertaining. The mystery surrounding the attacks on London is fascinating, and although the book is more than 550 pages, I could barely put it down! VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Hyperion, 556p., $17.95. Ages 11 to 18.