The Golem's Eye

I seem to be constitutionally incapable of taking a break between volumes of a series. No sooner had I finished Jonathan Stroud's The Amulet of Samarkand than I picked up the second book in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, The Golem's Eye. And to think, my plan was to take a month's break in between (that lasted about eight seconds).

Stroud's characters, including the overly-ambitious Nathaniel/John Mandrake, the wonderfully-irreverent Bartimaeus (whose footnoted asides remain one of the best parts of the book), and erstwhile Resistance figure Kitty Jones continue their adventures, taking on vicious dark magic in the form of a very destructive golem, a demented demon stuck inside the skeleton of a long-dead prime minister, and hordes of werewolf show more cops. Their powers and capacities for good will be stretched to the limits as they struggle against their enemies known and unknown, and, occasionally, against each other.

A bit more darkly comical than The Amulet of Samarkand, which I enjoyed, but with perhaps a touch too much adolescent angst (there were a couple Harry Potter volumes in the middle of the series where this bothered me too). Nonetheless, it was another fine installment in the series and I look forward to the third (which I'll probably pick up later tonight).

http://philobiblos.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-review-golems-eye.html show less

Considering that when I last read this book I found it so mediocre that I never finished reading the series, I was a bit surprised at how much I enjoyed re-reading it. Which really shouldn’t have been a surprise at all, since it’s filled with much of the same draws as the first novel, but takes them to a whole other level. Not only do we get further into the workings of the magicians’ world in London, but we also get a hearty dose of magical history as Bartimaeus recalls the last major historical event when golems were used as a means of magical warfare - the battle of Prague in which the Czech’s seceded their domination of the world to the English magicians led by Gladstone. Nathaniel (aka John Mandrake) is now well ensconced show more in his place in magical society - a new master, a high profile job with the Ministry of the Interior, and a bevy of imps at his command - , but he must rescind his promise to not summon the wily, sardonic, and endlessly entertaining Bartimaeus when mysterious semi-magical beings (revealed to be the golems) and the Resistance prove to be more than he can handle. Off again our at-odds protagonists are, as they travel to Prague, investigate magical happenstance, and once again put a stop to the shadowy characters trying to bring down the British Government - I can’t wait to read the next (and final) book in the trilogy! show less

The Golem’s Eye is a darker, more politically intense, and deeply engaging sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand. Set two years later, the novel shows how much Nathaniel has changed as he rises in the ranks of the magician’s government, becoming more ambitious—and more conflicted. The book’s expanding perspective, especially through Kitty’s storyline, adds powerful insight into the oppressed commoners who resist magical rule.

Jonathan Stroud expertly increases the stakes, weaving together mystery, rebellion, and a terrifying magical threat: a golem unleashed on London. Bartimaeus remains as sharp, sarcastic, and lovable as ever, delivering humor even in tense moments. Meanwhile, the moral complexity grows, pushing readers to show more question power, loyalty, and justice.

Richly plotted, emotionally layered, and full of action, The Golem’s Eye delivers a compelling middle chapter that strengthens the trilogy and sets up a powerful finale in Ptolemy’s Gate. show less

Nathaniel has established himself among the magician's government, and has been placed in charge of containing the Resistance. Scale of the acts of terrorism suggest to him that a greater power than the rebels is afoot, but he needs to prove it - and apprehend the culprit - before his career and freedoms are quenched by his overseers. A large chunk of the story also shifts away from Nathaniel's troubles to introduce Kitty as a new narrator. She presents an insider's perspective of the Resistance, which is struggling to raise its profile and achieve impact.

I was pleased to see the political and sociological story hinted at in the first novel now come to the foreground. Nathaniel's story fascinates as everything likeable about him is show more being subsumed. Bartimaeus continues to serve as entertaining comic relief, but also as the author's mouthpiece concerning the changes that have come over Nathaniel and what a true hero should be by contrasting him with Kitty. Here we see the difference underlined between adult novels and YA fiction: an adult rendition of this trilogy would not have Bartimaeus' guidance for our interpretations of character development. Rather than disparage this transparent device as an adult reader, I'm pointing to this trilogy as presenting a wonderful argument for YA fiction's place in the literary cannon. This novel, hence the trilogy, serves as a critical thinking tutorial for younger readers even as it entertains, encouraging them to judge the actions of leading characters, and simultaneously the presented society, rather than accept these at face value as always representing 'the good'.

The overarching storyline appears tied to Nathaniel's descent into immorality, so I hope we'll see some redemption of his character in the trilogy's final third. It would also be nice to see the society turning a page, or at least the setting up of some sure course for the Resistance to eventually succeed by. Whatever's to come, I'm sure it will be conveyed in the same fast-paced, action-filled format with liberal doses of humour thrown in. show less

Nearly three years after the events described in The Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel has gone up in the world: he's now a junior minister in the Department for Internal Affairs and apprenticed to the eminent magician and Security Minister Jessica Whitwell, and tasked with capturing the ringleaders of the Resistance. When several shops catering for a magician clientele in Piccadilly are raided - their ground floors virtually destroyed and several officers of the Night Police killed - the general suspicion immediately falls on the Resistance. But Nathaniel has doubts, and summons Bartimaeus once again to find the real perpetrator.

A worthy (and improved) follow-up to The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye oozes atmosphere, tension, style, show more wit and a few heart-stopping moments of sheer terror. The action takes place both in London and Prague, and the stakes are raised considerably. The reader learns more about the beginnings of the Resistance and about Kitty Jones in particular, and it was Kitty's story and her independent spirit and bravery that was the big surprise for me; unfortunately Nathaniel doesn't come away from this as a very empathetic character, and I hope the rest of the series won't shape up in such a way as to make the reader choose between Kitty and Nathaniel. Where its predecessor was one mad chase after another, this title had quite a different pace to it, which may not endear it to those who expect more action as that featured in The Amulet of Samarkand, but in my opinion the darker mood of the entire book and its predominant focus on the three major characters made this a superior, intelligent and very enjoyable read. Not everything is tied up neatly at the end, and I can't wait how the story progresses. The next volume in the sequence, Ptolemy's Gate, is already lined up. show less

I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series -- still plenty of action and high-stakes adventure, but the addition of a third, unique and fascinating perspective to the story in the form of Kitty definitely heightened my interest. Nathaniel is quite the arrogant brat in this one and very nearly unlikeable at times, but I cling to the scraps of conscience he still retains and hope for reform in Book 3. (Oh, all right, I'm also shipping Kitty/Nathaniel but that has nothing to do with it. Really. It doesn't. Shut up.)Book 3 just came in to the library! I must hasten to get it.

Volume II of the Bartimeus trilogy. I read the first volume (the Amulet of Samarkand) about a year back and tremendously enjoyed it, regardless of the fact that it is a young adult trilogy. These days when looking into the YA section, most of the books have to do with magic... possible Harry Potter side-effect? Anyway, it gets really hard making your way through the really good stuff and the really bad... this trilogy is part of the really good stuff....
I remember the first one as refreshing, hilarious and witty... the second one dwells more on characters while still keeping the humorous edge of the first book. The development of the character of Kitty was one I wasn't quite looking foreword to (mainly because I thought it meant less show more Bartimeus first person narration which is a delight every time), but surprisingly, I genuinely became attached to her and the cause she was defending through the Resistance.
Though this is a teenage book, I found the ethic and moral issues Stroud mentioned were mature themes. Recommended to both young and adult readers looking for something fresh. show less