Update on Alice, I Think

CTV, a television station here in Canada, has just turned the popular Alice, I Think series of books in to a sit-com. The 1/2 hour show airs on Sunday nights and closely follows the events in the books. I have only seen one episode so far, but I would recommend it. I still prefer the book, as the show is not outrageously funny, but it does make you chuckle, and you find yourself saying more than once, "Thank goodness my family isn't like that!"

The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus Trilogy Book 1)

Author: Jonathan Stroud

Publication: New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children

Publication Date: 2004

ISBN: 0-7868-5255-0

Pages: 462

Summary: Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice, summons up the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Lovelace, his rival. This action has dire consequences though, and Nathaniel spends the rest of the book trying to unravel the mess he has made.

Major Characters: Nathaniel, Bartimaeus, Simon Lovelace

Comments: Although I found this book to be very well-written, I did not like it as much as others of similar style such as Eragon or Harry Potter. The story is very original, and Bartimaeus is a funny character, but I found the story to be very dark. The whole idea of being able to summon demons creeps me out, and Nathaniel is not a likeable hero. I was still hoping he would complete his mission successfully (because I liked him more than Simon Lovelace) but I don't think anyone would say that they want to be exactly like Nathaniel. He is arrogant, rash, and impatient, and the actions he takes because of these character flaws have dire consequences. Another annoying thing about the book is that not all of the loose ends get tied up when the story finishes. Since the book is the first in a trilogy, Stroud has left some elements to carry over into the next volume, which is smart, because it makes you want to read the next book, but is bad if you are a person who likes everything wrapped up in a nice little, self-contained package. Despite all this, true fantasy fans will love the Bartimaeus series.

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 13+

Rating: 3.5/5